Evening journal., 1899-01-16
MONDAY. JAN. Ie, 1859
IN GRAY's HONOR.

carried with i so mucn puDilc dp'
proval and credit as the complimentary J
dinner given to United States Senator
Gray on Saturday evening. It WAC a
distinguished company which gathered /
about the board in honor Of a man who
had labored SO consistently and earn
estly 10 effect what he believed woua
prove a lasting treaty Of peace between /
.his country and Spain. A pleasing fea-
ture uf the function was that party /
lines were in no respect drawn. Both |
Democrats and Republicans sat in
perfect amity. doing honor TO one OF
the foremost Democrats If the na.i0u,
and that, too. on the very eve
OF most exciting struggle
Tor the seat OF the guest Of honor
OF the evening in the United States
Senate. This harmony was significant,
as were also some Of the utterarces
made by Republican speakers OF the
evening. not only by those resident In
our city and state, but also by thoee
OF other states and Of national ana
international reputation. The senti-
ments expressed must have found a
hearty response in the hearts OF the
Democrats present, and Senator Gray
must have been fully sensible Of the
depth OF feeling which could have in
spired such uUterances at such crit.
cal time in the party anairs Ct the
state. His words OF acknowledgment
were both noble and modest, and actu.
ated the feeling Of admiration for
him.
War is cruel thing 1t robs the
hearthscone CT its choicest treasures
and calls for great and voluntary sacii-
fees OF the blood, and brain, and Drawn
and wealth. OF nation Trade feels
the paralyzing effect of international
conflict. and the invistFating effect OF
the re-establishment OF peaceful rela
tions between the belllgerents. When
the people beheld such a sensible and
conservative man as Senator Gray
standing ia the Senate as champion
" the head OF an opposition admins
tration, they realized thatthe matter OF
peace or war with Spain was nc
longer partisan one, but one whicf
called for the exercise Of the noblei
elements OF the nobler elements o.
American citizenship. Senator Ora,
was not a man who could be carrie,
AWAY by public clamor, and when h,
arose in the Senate and raised hi
voice for war the people OF the natloi
knew thatthe exigencies Of the occasion
could only be met by recourse to arms
and the response was both prompt an
generous. The blood, and brain, an
Drawn and wealth Of the United State
were poured forth abundantly in de
fense Of the honor Of the flag and tn
Integrity OF the nation. There was n
stint OF anything Democrats like Sen
ator Gray yied with Republicans I
giving aid to President Mckinley /
the prosecution Of the strugg.e. Tn
fight was fought and the vlctbry wa
ours Our nation gave a sigh Of reli,
that 1t was over, for Americans are nc
warlike people. They delight in III
peaceful avccations OF life, and onl
when necessity demands do they Ia
aside for a time those pleasant pu
suits totake up the sword and enter in,
deadly conhidt with their fellow-me
Spain lay at cur feet, vanquished, an
humiliated before the entire worl
She signified her desire to quit n
field and her Willingness TO accept a
best erms Of peace that the Unit,
States wtuld accord her. A protoc
was signed. and then it became nece
sary for President Mckinley to sele
commissioners to effect a form
treaty Of peace. One Of his selection
was Senator Gray, Of Delaware. r.
call 10 duty from the chief execut
Of the nation came to Senator Gray
a most inOpportune time. His term
United States senator was about
expire. He was a candidate for
election. TO secure this it was nee,
sary that the Democrats should cont
the General Assembly. The canvass
Delaware was ecarce c.everly beg
Regular Republicans and Union F
publlcans had already slgnined tn
intention Of joining forces 70 carry
state. The presence u Senator Gl
in Delaware, both for his own weln
and that OF the party. OF which he v
the recognized leader. was especia
desirable But his broad partioti
fmpelled him t. sink all personal q
party interest for the public weSs
and in Difference to the wish Of Pr
dent Mckinley he went TO Paris.
Of five men. selected from over seve
millions q people. to represent W
he believed to be the American ]
Of the penalty which Spain should
for her ill-adyised action in goad
The United States to point WI