New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-23
WI TING FANG'S PLEA.
A REMARKABLE ADDRESS AT THE
SOUTHERN SOCIETY DINNER.
THE CHINESE MINISTER TALKS OF THIS
AND ASKS FOR THE REPEAL OF
THE EXCLUSION ACT.


Sons OF the South who now have their habita-
ton in this city and socially banded to-
gether under the rame of the New-York South
ern Society celebrated Washington's Birthday
and at the same time their own thirteenth an
nual festival. by dinner last night at the
Savoy Hotel Members and guests to the num-
ber Of about two hundred sat at the tables. and
between courses Joined in the singing OF old
Southern refrains The occasion was frightened
by the presence Of many women In the gallery
while each diner wore the lapel Of his coat
n badge formed Of the National coOrs. with
miniature OF Washington in the centre. Upon
the cover of the menu card placed. side by
side portraits Of General Fitzhugh Lee and
General Joseph Wheeler. wearing the American
uniform embematic OF the perfect concord
which now exists between the people OF all parts
Of the country.
William NJ Polk. president OF the society, mao
seated with him at the head table Wu LIDS
Fang the Chinese Minister to this country
Chung Pao Hsi the Chinese Consul-Genera y"
this city: Lieutenant Victor Blue, L. ,. NJ Hu-
ward Owen commander Confederate veterans
camp; Henry Lowenthal. Judge Morgan y nrien'
Judge Van Hoesen Augustus Thomas, Augustus
Van Wyck and lie Roy F. Youmans
DIR. POLK'S REMARKS.
Or Polk in his opening address, referred hrst
70 the affairs of the society, which he said were
In a satisfactory condition In every way. rr"-
ceeding then to discuss some OF the Important
happenings OF the year. he gave MS attention.
mostly 10 the war with Spain. AFTER speaking
eloauently OF the brliance or that cai'pals"
and its equally brilliant results ne fouho his
way to a discussion of the question OF e~pan-
sion THE word imperialism has oeen useu'
he remarked "bv those who are opposed 10 tho
policy OF acquisition. 1t so happens tnat the
men who are largely Interested III TINS
Society have through force OF circumstances han
experience which bears very much upon 'ns
question Of imperialism imperialism nieahS
command, and command can be exercised a"
wisely by the majority Of the people as IL can
be exercised by the individual Events nap
pened thirty years ago which established 'na''
and whatever occurred then, the people are ~
a fitting frame Of mind now to understand tnat
imperialism does exist, and that 1t is py Vir'u'
OF it that this country has become a great
Nation"
THE CHINESE MINISTER INTRoDoCDD'
DR.. Polk ended his remarks by proposing the
toast of the President, which was drunk py thS
company standing after which the Chinese Mi"-
lister was introduced to speak TO the sehtifneh'
of Our Newest Neghbors on Our western BOT
der The Chinese Minister, in rising 10 respohu'
was warmly greeted. He speaks the Enghsn
language without a trace OF foreign accent.
His personality is one that conveys an nntneoi-
ate impression Of intellectually and force Oh
character His attire was extremely plctur-
esoua He wore the famous yellow jacket or
China while in the front of his mandarin's nat
was affixed a large diamond button The fasteh-
ings of his Jacket were also ornamented with
diamonds Neither the Chinese Minister nor the
Consul-General removed his hat at the taple'
and IL was observed that they made merely
courteous pretence OF eating the dishes placed
before them
In the course of his speech the Minister said'
II is never too late to learn, and since l
country, which has always been known as an
Eastern country has now turned 10 oe western eer,
his. because Western countries have always been
looked as powerful aHa wsh aS my ns Country
epn a me the position that the Western countries
nave nave as9J Ssh your country to be called an Eastern
country in the sense that the term Is popuary
known.
HIS ADMIRATION FOR WASHINGTON
IT Is a great pleasure to me to be here tonight
at this great banquet. When the invitation was
L,,dI,, conveyed TO me I gladly accepted It. be-
cause 7 knew that this dinner would be held on
Washinetons Birthday in honor Of the man VINO
is known to you the Father Of your country.
Long before came TO this country as the repre-
sentative OF my nation. when, In fact, was
how and first began to understand the English
language. heard Of Washington and his achieve
ments and since then whenever his name Is men.
toned have aWags ccSsers eI' You cam understand
therefore, with what pleasure IL was that i &C
fTosq propae day to recall the memory OF the noble
Character Of George Washington. his great deeds.
Ss BIS Ssa s d @ hT to ss
form for his country IN comparing
your own times with those OF Washington to note
sSS bUt b1 so the the policy o
nation | understood when | was Young fnat
country which he presided That policy has
always been followed by MS successors until inc
events Of last bHe year STen o YOU
never dreamed Of before You have entered into
the part Of expansion or as some call IT, I'M
The President has given wise deGnlti9n Of ths
# is 10 govern wisely and fairly. That is not the
nrst time | have heard OF such definition. A
Ssa ago Of he Eoya in
and an eminent divine, in speaking OF imperialism.
daughter To be more accurate; he defined I'M,
periaism 10 mean "evilizston zs sh ana h9ertyi
neriaism in your case should be fairness and just
treatment to all people, without regard to race or
color. (Cheers)
AS TO THE PHILIPPINES
You have had, gentlemen. the Philippines cedsd
70 YOU and / see that you hesitatng
whether you will keep them or not. | express
onnion as 10 whether you should or should not
keen them That, OF course Is matter FOR you
m decide and one upon which / have right 10
say a word for against: but feel
odent that when the question has been thor
oughly thrashed out you will TO
right decision. But Will say this-that must
have a neighbor. whether you take the Philippines
or nor Whoever occupies those Islands will be
neighbor OF our country. and in my humble opin-
lon n is better 10 have good neghbor than In
direrent one (Applause) Gentlemen. " you should
ever decide 10 keep the Phppines.mind you
m exnresslng no opinion-what would be the con-
seauences? There has been a large trade carried
on hstween those Islands and China for centuries;
o,ir co,,ntrymen have gone there for trade. and
they 10 us; in fact there has been constant IN,
tercoursc between the TWO places. Therefore. IL
YOU should decide TO keep the philippines. your