Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-10-13
HICACO'SCREATDAY
Mckinley Lays Cornerstone of
New Federal Building.
GRAND BANQUET IN AUDITORIUM.
Eloquent Addresses by the Presi-
dent, Premier Lnuricr of Canada,
Vice President MariscaI of
Mexico and Others.


CHICAGO, Oct. 1O.-Surrounded by
men who guide the diplomatic relations
OF three governments and in the presence
of thousands of spectators. President
William Mckinley yesterday formally
laid the cornerstone of the new federal
building of Chicago. The event was the
GROWING feature of the weeks celebra-
ton, marking the annual observation of
Chicago day.
The most spectacular outdoor feature
of the fall festival, the parade of all ma
lions, took place in the evening and was
viewed by thousands, the streets in the
downtown districts being literally a solid
mass of humanity for the entire length
of the parade. The parade. in which
marched representatives of II countries,
including Germany, Venezuela, Switzer-
land, Brazil, the Netherlands, Austria
and Hungary, Scotland, Armenia and
Assyria, Belgium, China, Italy and the
United States, included nearly 80 floats,
some of them extremely beautiful and
novel.
Chicago's great Auditorium, which has
been the scene of so many notable events,
never held a greater gathering than last
night, when the Chicago day banquet was
held within its walls under the auspices
of the fall festival committee. The great
stage upon which 1000 people can easily
find standing room had been enlarged and
a 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
Its own decorations, but last night it 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 Nc
Kinley and the guests of honor were seat
ed, was an elaborate peace arch 20 feet
in height. constructed of pastry. 1t was
decorated with flags t%astefully drapcd,
from the folds of which twinkled hun
dreds 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 Mex
lean flags. The balconies were resplen-
dent with banners and the coats of arms
of all the states in the Union. These
were placed at regular intervals around
the balcony below the first row of boxes.
and around each shield which bore the
arms of a state was grouped IL cluster of
small silk banners. On every table was
placed an elaborate floral piece represent
ing a famous scene in the history of the
republic, a scene from the history of Chi
cago and other suitable events. The
president. who was the guest of honor.
sat at Il raised table on the right of Mel
vile E. Stone, the POSTMASTER.
Other distinguished guests were at the
same table, among them being Vice Pres
ident Don I%gnacio Mariscal of Mexico
and Premier Wilfrid Laurier of Canada.
The opening hour of the banquet was
set for 6 o'clock. but the streets were So
densely packed by the great throng that
had come down to witness the laying of
the cornerstone of the new federal build
Ing and the afternoon parade and re-
manned in great part to see the parade of
the evening that it was with difficulty
one could make his way along the streets.
and as a consequence it was nearly an
hour later than that originally set when
the banquet was in full blast.
The material part of the banquet occu-
pied two hours, and it was nearly 10
o'clock when Mr.. Stone raped for order
and brought the intellectual portion of
the programme to the front.
Governor Tanner, in Il short address.
welcomed the visitors on behalf of t.e
state of Illinois. After he had concluded
Mayor Carter II. Harrison of Chicago
and Senator Shelby NJ. CullOm of Illinois
we've introduced in succession by Mr..
Stone, the former extending to the visitors
the welcome of the people of the city of
Chicago and the latter "A greeting on be-
half 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 rose
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.
Following the address of the president,
which was received with every manifes-
tation of enthusiastic approval, Mr.. Stone
introduced Sir Wilfrid Laurier of Cana
da. who, he announced. was to speak ON
The Dominion" The greeting which
was accorded the premier of Canada as
he rose to his feet was hearty in the eX-
IRENE. Cheer after cheer rang through
the hall, and men rose to their feet and
waved their napkins frantically. The
warmth of his welcome for an instant
embarrassed Sir Wilfrid, but he quickly
recovered his self possession.
The welcome extended to Sir Wilfrid
Lauli was repeated when the next
Speaker, Vice President MariScal of Mex
leo, rose to respond to the toast. The
Republic of Mexico"
New York Christian ~Endeayorers.
SARATOGA oct. G.-Binghamton has