Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-10-12
Pres. Mckinley Has Firm
Faith in American Union,
Valor and Patriotism.
CHICAGO DAY BANQUET
Speaks of the Tremendous Develop
ment We Arc Enjoying "A Distin-
tingui,hed Audience-Greatest
Gathering in Auditorium.

Chicago, Oct. 9.-Chlcago's great audi
forum never held greater gathering
than tonight when the Chicago day ban
uuet was held within its walls under the
auspices of the fail festival committee.
The great stage. upon which 1000 people
can easily ind standing room had been en-
larucd and Il floor built out over the seals
Of the parquct, quadrupling the moor space
OF the stage. Back of the raised ttble
at the west of the hail. at which fresi-
dent McKinc, And the guests of honor
were seated, was an elaborate peace arch,
20 feet in height, constcuct ii of pastry. 1t
was decorated with flags tastctullN drarod
from the folds of which twniled hundreds
of little electric lights. ON both sides oil
the arch were gre at paintings of the Am
,riCan "a gle and groupings Of American,
British and Mexican flags. The balconies
were resplendcnt with harnCgs and tine
coats of arms Of all States in the | mon.
Tho President who was the guest OF
honor sat at raised table on the ilSht
of Melville y. stone, the toastmaster.
Other distinguished guests were at the
came table. among them being Nice-Pr"s-
idcnt Don Ignacio Mariscal of Mexico;
Premier Milfrd Lauiicr of Canada, tsud-
clio G. Black, Gov Tanner Mayor Garter
H. Harrison, Senior Manuelde Aspir w.
Secretary Hay, Secretary Gage Attorney
General Griggs. Secretary smith. Secr"-
tary Long. Secretary Hitchcock, Secretary
Wilson. Gen. David T.. Henderson, Sena-
tor Boics Penrosa. Major General Wesley
Merritt. Senator shelby Nj. Cullom, Brig
Gen. Thomas H. Anderson, Gen. Russell
A. Ager, Carl Dentzcr, Or. Emil q.
IIirsch, minister to Brazil, DR.. Page
Bryan, Senator William T.. Mason, Capt.
Joseph B. CoGhlan, Sir Alphonse Pelcuer.
Senator William Ballison, Senator James
Macmillan, Senator Samuel ID. Ferry and
Gen. Chambers McKibbon.
The opening hour of the banquet was
set for Il o'clock but il was nearly an hour
later Whou the banquet was in full blast.
The material part of the banquet oCcu-
pic, two hours and ii was nearly 10 O'Clock
whcr Mir. Stone raped for order and
brought the intellectual portion of the
programme to the front in the following
address; Happy is theman who could voice
in fitting phrase the sentiments inspired
ly this hour. The occasion perhaps is not
one OF great moment-thc laying of a cor
ner stone, but it has served higher pur-
pose and has a wider significance. What
day could he more fitting for such a core
monY? 1t commentaries the anniversary
of that other day twenty-eight years ago
when in the ashes we laid the foundation
of this new and better city. We laid it
TO the music of a tempest of flame and be-
fore a sad procession of homeless men and
women. Desolatc but undaunted. the peo-
pie of Chicago turned their faces to the
east and taking courage from the sym
pathy and support of their fellowmen.
went forward with a destiny outstripping
the brightest predictions. 1t was then we
sounded the last note of discord with our
sister republic of Mexico. And still more,
one hundred and eighteen years ago. on
the plains OF Yorktown in the month of
October and almost this very day. we
struck the final blow for American indie
pendence and the public laid the corner
stone of our national edifce.
on such an anniversary We are happy to
Open our gates and greet this assemble 2e.
1t is gathering of the high ministers of
The three great peoples of this continent
Three peoples with a common purpose
Three peoples having a single aim Three
peoples working ont under differing Condi-
tons, the problems OF self-govcrnmont.
No conference of empcrOrs at Tisit in all
the pomp and circumstance of war-no far
famed gathering of kings at Pilnitz to de-
fend a lettering dynaStY-nOnc of the
great meeting at Berlin or Paris deserves
better recognition than this.
You are met, getlemeu, to cement a clos
cr bond of amity, to ordain new citizen
ship ian that higher realm where national
lines disappear ana where We shall all be
loyal to American progress American CIV
ilization, American liberty the forces
which make for the bettermcnt of the hu-
man race.
However agreeable it might be to give
you a formal welcome, the performanc g
of that duty has not been ASSIGNED 70 me
and I therefore. take pleasure in miro
ducper tho governor of tbo cor,,,,a,,,,,',,t
of Illinois"
Gov. Tanner in a short address vol.
coined the visitors on behalf Of tba statc
OF lllhoia AFTER he had concluded Mayor
Carter II. Harrison of Chicago and Sena.
tor shelby NJ. Cullom Of Ilinois v,oro i,,.
troduced in succession bv Mr. stone tb,
former extending to the visitors tba VOL
Of . IL.
and the latter a greeting on Iabalf of 81,
Federal officials of Illinois
The banquet guests knew bv their nro.
Fvammes who came next on the LIST r.
speak, and when the POSTMASTER rose r.
introduce the President who responded r.
the sentiment of The Nation " no was
greeted with cheers that for a time pro
vented his voice being heard. When ouiet
had been restored Mr. Stone introduce,
President Mckinley as follows.
"And now ! offer YOU THAT toast for IN,