The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-29
THE TAMPA CELEBRATION.
The Feature of the Queens Birth
day AFFAIR Pointed Out.


Port Tampa, Fla, May 27.-Ed.tor
Morning News VIII you permit one who
was present to supplement your report of
The celebration Of Queen Victoria's birth
day at this place on the Gath. All who
have ever visited Port Tampa will under
stand the limited space that can be occu-
pied by crowds. On the Gath the Plant Sys-
TEN and the Plant Steamship Line brought
to Port Tampa $500 people, and with the
people of Port Tampa City, and others
who came in, the crowd numbered not less
than 1900 people. In order to render it
possible for those who did not provide
themselves with lunches to get something
TO eat, the banquet was served on the
Plant steamer Margaret, and at this ban
quot the birthday of her majesty was Gel
ebrated in magnificent shape. As your
paper has already stated, Mr.. S. G.. Nc
Lendon OF Thomasville Ga, was toast
master, and the speeches delivered were
able and interesting.
Commodore j. l.. Burr of Her Majestys
ship Intrepid, responded to the toast, Her
Majesty" and did so in a most satisfactory
manner The commodore is not like many
a joke, and appreciates a joke. For in
stance, in the course of his speech, in COM
menting upon the somewhat strained re-
lat.ons existing between England and
America at the time of the Venezuelan in
cident. said that the people of any coun-
try contemplating any trouble, as was ev
idenced by the correspondence of the
brokers of London and the brokers of New
York. Just after President Clevelands
800 90 ha al not bla
brokers of London telegraphed the brokers
Of New York that we had better keep our
excursion ships out of the way of their
warships To which the New York
brokers replied, "If your warships are not
better than your yachts. We are in no
danger"
Commodore Burr commanded the In
trepid, which was at Port Tampa partic-
ipating in this celebration. Her Majestys
ship Pearl was also present, and was
commanded by Capt Goodrich, who has
a cousin in the American navy occupying
a similar position.
Collector of the Port NJ Il. McFarlane
responded to the toast of 1.-The President
of the United States" while Col. j. b.
Anderson of Gov. Bloxham's staff respond
ed to the toast of THE Government of
Florida"
The Hon. F. G. duBignon of your city
responded TO the toast, L he LAY we Cel-
CITRATE" And the English officers who
We're present were so charmed with his
eioquence that they declared it to be equal
to one of Gladstones. Mr. duBignon was
in splendid form. and delivered an address,
unfortunately having no notes or manu-
script, which was replete with wisdom
and embellished from beginning to end
with a matchless oratory of which Mr..
duBignon is a past master. 1t is unfor-
tunate that no copy of this speech can be
had, for il was not only eloquent but il
was broad and statesmanlike, and would
be well worthy of preservation.
After the regular toasts had all been
responded to, approaching the fact that
the efforts AID investments of MIR. H. b.
Plant had rendered possible the celebration
of the Queens birthday at Port Tampa.
his health was proposed and responded to
very warmly. At the request OF the as
semblage, Mr.. S. G. McLendon was called
upon 10 respond to the toast Of Mr.. Plant
and this he did to the qualification of ali
| present.
The piece de resistance of the occasion.
however, was the speech of Mr. duBignon
which was so thoroughly appreciated that
| at its close, those who had had the priv
Eege of listening TO him, crowded about
| him TO extend their congratulations.
Tho banquet was magnificent, and was
| served on the Margaret, as l have said In
| order not to interfere with a proper SER
vice to the public on the part of the man
| agement of the Inn.
one Who Was Present