Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-10-10

| q great floor built out over the seats of
the parquet, quadrupling the floor
| space of the stage. 1t is difficult to
| decorate the Auditorium on account of
the beauty of it's own decorations, but,
tonight. it was changed by the hands
of decorators into spectacle that for
once surpassed itself. Back of the
| raised table at the west of the hall at
which President Mckinley and the
| guests of honor We're seated, was an
| elaborate peace arch, 20 feet in height,
| constructed of pastry. 1t was decor
ated with flags tastefully draped. from
| the folds of which twinkled hundreds
of little electric lights On both sides
| of the arch were great shields with
| paintings of the American eagle and
groupings of American British and
| Mexican flags. The balconies We're re
| splendent with banners and the coats
| of arms of all the states in the union.
| on every table was placed an elabor-
ate floral piece representing Il famous
scene in the history of the Republic, a
scene from the history of Chicago. and
other suitable events. The President.
| who was the guest at honor. sat at the
raised table on the right of Melville f,
guests We're at the same table among
J them being Vice President Don IgnaciO
| Mariscal of Mexico: Premier Wilird
Laurier of Canada Gen. John c. Black
Governor John r. Tanner. Mayor Car
ter Harrison. Senor Manuel De AspireZ.
Secretary Hay, Secretary Gage. Secre-
tary Long, Secretary Ritchcokc. Secre-
tary Wilson. Attorney General Griggs.
- 1,
Il. Henderson. Senator Pcnrose. Major
General Merritt, Senator Cullon. Brig.
Gen. Thomas NJ. Anderson. Gen. Rus
Sell 4. Alger. Carl Bantzer DR.. Emil
g. Mirsch. Minister To Brazil Charles
Page Bryan. w. r. Buchanan. japanese
Minister Jutaro Komurra. Senator VIM.
f. Mason. capt. Jos. l.. Coughlan. Sir
Alfonso Pelletier. Senator VIM. Il. Al
lison. senator Mcmillan. Senator Nc
Emery. Commissioner General Ferdi-
nand w. Peek ana Gen. Chambers Me
Ribbon.
The material part NJ the banquet oc-
cupied two hours and ii was nearly ~
o'clock when Mr. Stone raped for or
der ana brought the intellectual por-
ton Of the programme to the front in
the following address:
Happy the man who could voice in ii
ting phrus" The sentiments inspired by
this hour. The occasion perhaps is NOT
one Of great mument-thc Ia 4ing Of Il cor
ner stone. But il has served a high pur
pose and has a wider Significance. what
day could ~ more fitting for such 4 ccrr-
mOnN. 1t commentaries the anniversary
of that other day. y years aG" when in
the ashes We laid The foundation of th;s
new and better city. We laid il Ia the
music Of tempest of flame and before 4
sad procession of homeless men ana wo-
men. D"Soldte but undauntrd. tn" people
of Chicago turned their faces to the East.
ana taking courage from the sympathy
and support of their fellow men. went
forward 70 destiny far outstripping ev
cry dream If their imagination.
But. more than this, il was IN this
monht and on this very day, that we
sounded the last note OF diScOrd with our
sister republic Of Mexico, and still. still
more. us years ago. on the plains ~
Yorktown. in the month of October and
almost this very day. we struck the final
blow for American independence ana thus
laid the corner stone of our national edi |
flee However agreeable it might be o
give YOU a formal welcome. the perform
ance of that duty has not been assigned
to ms and ! Therefore take pleasure n !
introducing the governor OF the common
wealth of Illinois.
Gov. Tanner in short address wei |
coined the visitors on behalf of the STATE
of Illinois. Mayor Garter H. Harrison Of
Chicago. ana Senator Shelby NJ. Cullom /
of Illinois, We're then introduced in sue
cession by Mr.. Stone, the former extend
ing to the visitors the welcome Of the |
people Of Chicago, and the latter gree |
ing on behalf of the federal officials of |
Illinois.
The banquet guests knew by their pro
grammes, who came next on the list OF
speakers and when the postmaster arose |
to introduce the President, who respond
ed TO the sentiment of THE Nation he |
was greeted with cheers that for a time
prevented his voice from being heard.
When quiet had been restored, Mr.. Stone
introduced President Mckinley.
President Mckinley said: Mr.. Toast
master and Gentlemen: L am glad to
Join you in extending a sincere welcome
to the distinguished statesmen and dip
Iona is who represent the great country
adjoining us on the South and the
North We are bound to them both by
ties of mutual good neighborhood. We
rejoice in their prosperity and we wish
them Godspecd in the pathway of pro-
sress they are so cnergetically and sue
cessfuly pursuing.
ION the reverse side of the great seal
of the United States authorized by Con-
!
seal of the United States Of America
after its formation under the federal
constitution is the pyramid signifying
strength and duration. The eye over
it and the motto allude to the many
signal interpretations of providence in
favor of the American cause. The date
underneath. 1716 that Of the Declare
ton of Independence, and the words
under it signify the beginning of a new
American era which commences from
that date.
1t is impossible to trace our history
since without feeling that the provi-
dence who was with us in the begin
ming has continued to the nation. His
gracious interposition. When. unhap-
pily. we have been engaged in war, He
has given us the victory. Fortunate,
indeed, is that can be said we have had |
no class Of arms which has ended in |
defeat and no responsibility resulting |