The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-10-10
Was Occasion of Some
Notable Speeches.
Premier Laurier's Sentiments
Rapturously Applauded.

Chicago, October e.--Chicago's great
auditorium. which has been the scene
Of 90 many notable events, never h aid
larger gathering than tonight, when
the Chicago Day banquet was held with
In it's walls under the auspices of the fall
festival COMMITTEES. The great stage,
upon which one thousand persons can
easily find standing room, has been
enlarged and great floor built over the
seats of the parquette. quadrupling the
floor space Of the stage. It is difficult to
decorate the auditorium on account of
the beauty OF its own decorations, but
tonight 1t was changed by the hands Of
the decorators into q 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 were seated, was an elaborate peace
arch, % feet in height constructed Of pas
try. II was decorated with flags heauti-
fully 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 n
eagle and groupings OF American, Brit
ish and Mexican flags. The balconies
were rssplendent with banners and the
| coats Of arms of all states in the Union.
ON every table was placed an elaborate
| floral piece, representing famous scene
In the history Of the republic, scene
from the history OF Chicago and other
suitable events. The President, who was
the guest Of honor. sat at the raised table
on the right of Melville K. Stone. toast
master. Other distinguished guests were
at the same table, among them being
Vice President Don Igancio Marisoal of
Mexico, Premier Wilfred Laurier Of Ca
NADIA, General John q. Black, Governor
John h. Tanner, Mayor Carter II. Har-
rison, Senior Manuel de Aspirsz, Secre.
tary Hay, Secretary Gage, Secretary
Long, Secretary Hitchcock, Secretary
Wilson, Attorney General GrIggs, Post
master General smith, General David b.
Henderson. Senator Penrose, Major Gem
eral MeTritE, Senator Cullom, Brigadisr
General Thomas NJ. Anderson, General
Russell A. .Alger, Carl Dontzsr. DIR. Emil
g. Hirsch, Minister to Brazil Jutaro
komura, Senator William II. Mason,
Captain Joseph b. Coghlan, lSir Alfonso
Pelietier, Senator William b. Allison,
Senator Mcmillan, Senator McEnery,
Commissioner General Ferdinand W.
Peck and General Chambers Mokibben.
The material part of the banquet occu-
pied two hours and 1t was nearly 10
O'Clock when Mr.. Stone raped for order
and brought the intellectual portion of
the programme to the front In the fol-
lowing address,:
"Happy the man who could voice in
| tttirg phrase the sentiments inspired by
this hour. The occasion perhaps Is not
one of great moment-the laying of a
corner stone. But 1t has served high
purpose and has wider significance.
What day could be more fitting for such
ceremony? 1t commemorates the anni-
versary of that other day 2s years ago,
when In the ashss we laid the foundation
OF this new and better city.
I'VE laid 1t to the music of tempest OF
flame and before sad procession OF
homeless men and women Desolate,
but undaunted, the people of Chicago
turned their faces to the east and taking
courage from the sympathy and support
of their fellow men went forward TO q
destiny far outstripping every dream Of
| their Imagination But, more than this,
1t was In this month and on this very
day that sounded the last note of discord
with our sister republic of Mexico. And
still more. lis years on the plains of
Yorktown In the month of ootober and
almost this very day, we struck the final
blow for American independence and
thus laid the corner stone OF our nation
al edifice.
ION suca an anniversary we are happy
to open our gates and greet this assem-
blage. 1t Is "a gathering of the high min
isters of authority for three great peoples
OF this continent. Three peoplesJwith !,
common purpose. Three peoples having
single aim. Three peoples working out
rnser differing conditions ths problems
OF sell government No conference OF
su psrors at Tilsiu. in all the pomp and