The San Francisco call., 1899-10-10

dent with banners and the coats of arms
of all 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 a cluster of small
silk banners. On every table was placed
an elaborate floral piece, representing a
famous battle 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 or
honor sat at raised table on the right
of Melville E. Stone, the toastmaster.
same table, among them being Vice Presl-
dent Don Ignacio Mariscal of Mexico.
Premier Wilfrid Laurier of Canada, Senor
Manuel de AZpiroz. Secretary Gage, At
torney General Griggs, Postmaster Cen
eral Smith, Secretary Long, Secretary
Hitchcock, Secretary Wilson, General Da-
vid B. Henderson, Senator Boies Penrose,
Major General Wesley Merritt, Brigadler
General Thomas NJ. Anderson, r. A. AL
ger. Charles Page Bryan. Minister to
Brazil; Japanese Minister Jutaro komura,
seph B. Coghlan, Sir Aiphonse Pelletier,
Senator William B. Allison. Senator
James NJ Mcmillan, Senator Samuel d.
McEnery, Commissioner General Ferdl-
nand w Peck and General Chambers Nc
Ibben. The material part of the banquet
occupied two hours, and ii was nearly 10
o'clock when Mir Stone raped for order
and brought the intellectual portion OF the
dress
Governor Tanner then in short ad-
dress welcomed the visitors on behalf OF
the State of Illinois. After he had con
cluded Mayor Carter H. Harrison of chi
cago and Senator Shelby NJ. Cullom of
Illinois were introduced in succession, the
former extending to the visitors the vel
come of the people of the city of Chi
CagO. and the latter a greeting on behalf
of the Federal officials of Illinois.
The banquet guests knew by their pro
grammes who came next on the list or
speakers and when the postmaster rose
to introduce the President. who responded
TO the sentiment of The Nation" he was
greeted with cheers which for time pre-
vented his voice being heard. When quiet
had been restored Mr.. Stone introduced
President Mckinley, who spoke as fol-
lows:
Mr. Toastmaster and gentlemen: 1 glad
TO Join you in extending a sincere welcome to
the distinguished statesmen and dlplomatsts
who represent the great countries adjoining us
on the south and the north. We are bound to
them by ties of mutual good neighborhood. We
rejoice in their prosperity and we wish them
Godspeed in the pathway of progress they are
so energetically and successfully pursuing.
on the reverse side of the great seal of the
United States authorized by Congress July 20,
1882 and adopted the seal of the United
States of America after its formation under
the Federal constitution is The pyramid sgni-
flying strength and duration. The eye over it
and the motto allude TO the many signal inter
positions Of Providence in favor of the Amer
Of the declaration OF independence, and the
words under it signify the beginning of new
American which commences from that date.
1t is impossible to trace our history since
without feeling that the Providence which was
with us in the beginning has continued to the
nation His gracious interposition. When, un-
happily, we have been engaged in He has
given us the victory. Fortunate indeed that it
can be said have had no clash of arms
which has ended in defeat, and no responsible
ity resulting from is tainted with dshOnor.
In peace we have been sgnauy blessed and our
progress has gone unchecked and ever in
creaslng in the intervening years. In bOundless
wealth Of soil and mine and forest nature has
favored US, while all races of men of every ma
tonality and climate have contributed their
good blood to make the nation what it is. From
8. q29 PA in 1880 population has grown to up
ward of GO 900, 600 in 1890, and estimate OF
our population to-day made by the Governors
of the States Is H. 500, 231. We have gone from
thirteen States to fortytive. We have annexed
every variety of territory. from the coral reefs
and cocoanut groves of Key West to the icy
regions of Northern Alaska-territory skirting
the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific
and the Arctic and the islands of the Caribbean
Sea-and we have extended still further our