The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-01-16

enough to accommodate oil who wished
to be here.
1--WE have met at the request of the
Board of Trade. Of Wilmington, to honor
the most distinguished citizen of Dela-
ware.
"Within less than year VIC have had
great international war. Spain. one of
the Oldest and Mt one time the greatest
naval power in the world, has been driven
from the Western Hemisphere. This
nation today is placed among and recog-
nized as one of the foremost nations Of
the world. On April 2lst war with
Spain was declared. On May 1st within
Il few hours, Dewey absolutely destroyed
the Spanish naval power on the Pacific
Ocean. On July Sd. Sampson, Schley and
their brave men swept out OF existence
the balance of the Spanish navy sent
against us. BY the middle, Of July,
Spain's military power was wholly
broken and defeated. and she soon there
after rendered negotiations for peace.
"Our President. William Mckinley,
desired peace upon terms that were hon
orable, Just and humane. He selected
commissioners as the true representatives
of this great nation to settle upon terms
of peace. lie came to Delaware for one
OF these five commissioners. He did as
other Presidents have done. In our treaty
of peace with Great Britain in 1914, Mad
ison came to the three counties on the
Delaware and selected n distinguished
Delawarcan. James A. Bayard who with
Adams, Clay and Gallatin, negotiated the
treaty of Ghent. As Polk did in 1S4s,
who selected Lewis McLane, another of
Delawarc's distinguished sons to assist
in settling the Oregon boundary line with
Great Britain. As Taylor did in 1850,
who selected John NJ. Clayton to nc
gotiate a treaty with Great Britain for
the construction and control Of an inter-
oceanic canal through Central America.
In 1898, the President selected another Of
Dclaware's distinguished sons, one wor-
thy to be cassed with James A. Bayard,
Lewis McIane and John NJ. Clayton. He
chose him to serve on the joint high COM
mission to settle the controversies be-
tween the Dominion of Canada and the
United States and while engaged in that
work. the President selected him as one
of the Spanish American Peace Com
missioncrs; the most honorable and dis
tinguishcd office in the gift of the fresl-
dent.
"Wc have met tonight to honor this son
of Delaware and show TO him that we hp-
preciatc the honor he has conferred upon
our State and the great public service he
has rendered to our government, ana ex-
tend to him that which l know he loves
most. the warm hand of friendship and
fellowship. Our guest of honor, Hon.
George Gray
Mr. Gray spoke as follows:
"Mr. Chairman, gentlemen and mcm-
bcrs of the Board of Trade of Whining
ton. my friends aud ncighbors
"Tt seems to, me very common place and
cold, in response to this generous wei
come to say that | thank You from full
heart. and yet what else can say! " hen
one feels deeply, short words are hest.
and common place phrases take OH new
meaning.
",Thc people of my state and Of my town
have always been kind to me- and hon
! orad mo beyond my deserts, but did not
expect and had 10 right to anticipate such
n welcome as this to my home. SO warm,
so cordial and generous. That you who
have known mo best and longest are will
ing to overlook mistakes aud shnrtcom'
ings ON my part. and differences in pn-
litiral opinion. aud cover them all with
the mantle of your ciiritahlc Judgment
of neiglihor ana trlehn' wli' ~ 'h' n,"st
gratifying rcHcc'loh OF my "'e' a'o
more than ample reward 'or s'hce't
end"nvor to serve you, my s'"t' ai'"
country. according y ine ngh'S "i NY
own conscience. If'I have had critics,
they have been friendly critics: II have
had opponents. they have been manly op-
moments. However We may differ. that
difference Is slight as compared WIN the
supreme agreement OF men VINO ioVe Win
n common ana e1uai io'e country
which is the mother or us all anu TUE
great republ'c wh,ch Is ailke our hohor
and our safety. and "nr glory.
Il have. had. as you Know. me great
honor OF having hren sent ny '"e res
dent OF the Cniteu S'aics as one OF 'ne
commissioners 10 negotiate an" c"hc''''H
treaty OF peace wnh span ana we
have lately brought home with us such
treaty. which, II rht''''d. VIII restore
peace between fwo countries ana hnke
myc secure the peace OF tue Worhi. w"
are now IN crisis "f our ha''"na' HISTORY
and your hearts and mlnr. as patrin'ic
citizens or this great conhlrS. are tn'' OF
anxiety asto the proper se' ll"hrht "' me
"''''' ''''''N
from the war with Spain. W'liic our
country was at war with spain we were
ready to make, nope. every Sacr'nce 10
insure the success OF American arms. and
bring victory and honor t" the American
ilns. And when the war was over be-
'ievc the patriotic instinct OF American
citizenship demanded. as your patriotic
President enjoln"d upon u.s. that we
should exhibit n'agnanimlty to PROSTATE
foe. and moderation i'll the hour OF We
| tory as we hnd ihrcd tue war WIN
| stradfaS'ncss and courage. In the hrst
| place. want to say to You that II was my
| pleasure. ms well as what ] conceived my
duty. 10 endravor TO carry out this M
| Strnction. so credilahlc TO us as " nation
and SO worthy of the high civilization of
which we profess to he leaders.
"rhe acquisition of territory by the
| United States wns not one of tie objects
| of war; an'l we so'emniy declared III ihe
| resolutions of Congress that our only Oh
| iect in demanding the REIMBURSEMENT OF
| the sovereignty Of Cuba by Spain was
not to hold it ourselves. except that WI
might pacify it and tit ii for self govern
ment by lis own people. But in this as
| in all pIsp "Nlnu uCuDDspS and God dis