The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-07
AT THE BANQUET BOARD.
The Eighth Annual Dinner of the
second ARMY Corps Association.

splendid menu and the charm of music
and tasteful decoration. the Second Army
Corps Association celebrated it's eighth
annual banquet at the Dewey Hotel last
night Nearly 100 members and guests
were present and these included many
famed legislators as well as noted war
riors and statesmen. AT the head of the
board sat the General Commanding the
United States Army, while around him
were men motel in many vocations The
decorations were very elaborate. including
all of the corps flags ana pennants. set of
with roses and rare plants.
The hye-s .ote veterans and guests APP
plauded to the echo every sentiment ut
tered 10y the six speakers and found vent
for feeling when the orchestra struck I'D
the strains of Marching Through Geor-
gia' and Dixie" 1t was by far the most
successful and expansive affair ever at
tempted by the organization. The menu
card was oi novel design, representing
the pennant o. the corps with the two
score engagements through which the men
had passed printed in red on the border.
Maj Gen. Nelson A. Miles, who acted as
POSTMASTER. spoke as follows in opening
the list of toasts: "One of the greatest
among all those who came down to give us
comfort during our trying days in the
civil war was the President of the United
States, therefore IL is fitting that to him
should be granted the first toast, and
ask that every man in the room who ap-
preciates this will arise and respond with
his whole heart"
senator Allen Speaks.
General Miles then introduced Senator
Allen of Nebraska as the first speaker
Mr.. Allen responded to the toast. The
President, and spoke in part as follows
We are here to do honor TO the Second
Corps, and to take brief note of the con-
spicuous part il took in the struggle be-
tween the States, but as its history has
been so frequently and fully written, it
would be work of supererogation for me
10 do more than to refer to it 1t is suffi-
Client to say that such men as Hancock,
Warren, Barlow, and Miles were products
Of its valor, which proves again that in the
last analysis, the success or failure of
commander in civil or military life, de-
Ponds on the men in the ranks. But
am assigned 10 the duty of speaking of
he Presidential Office. The more the Con-
stitution is studied the more extensive the
powers of the President appear. In addi-
ion to being the chief executive officer of
he nation, and charged with seeing that
he laws are faithfully executed and en-
orced, he is entrusted with authority to
initiate all treaties with foreign nations,
receive ambassadors and other public
minister's, and is made Commander-in-
thief of the Army and Navy of the United
states. By his veto power, he exercises
check on hasty and inconsiderate legis-
alton, and is clothed with many other
lowers it would serve no useful purpose
o mention at this time or in this presence
These extensive powers speak but one
aDguage, that whoever is entrusted with
heir exercise should reflect the wishes of
he people as expressed at the ballot box. |
his high office has been occupied by many
lustrious men during the brief history of |
ur nation. and perhaps three men, Wash |
lgton, Jefferson and Lincoln stand forth |
lore conspicuously than others as embody- |
lg the true ideals of a President. In my |
alignment the President should be the en- ,
odiment of the highest intelligence, the |
reatest simplicity, wisdom, and patriotism |
[ the people. He should at all times re- /
ect the wishes of the people. From the /
1undation of the Government the office
as been filled by distinguished citizens, il
to the world that the exacting
aquirements of the position can be met to
lie entire satisfaction of the masses and
the honor and glory of the country
While the people repose confidence III
lie integrity loyalty, and ability of their
hief Magistrate, and give him loyal sup
ort, the history of the race shows that
lis trust and confidence can only be main
lined through the frankest action on his
,rt. Republics are jealous, and jealousy
IN only be successfully met and over
nv q vb will no
lblic that nothing they have a right to
now is being concealed from them. Heads
monarchies inherit their rank or are
,lected from the narrow confines of fami-
es born in the purple. The head of the
merican Republic wears his honor as a
,mmon citizen, like the laureis that en-
vine the brow of the soldier and as an
nbem of the achievement of his own arm
Id the recognition of his individual! worth
eely accorded by his fellow citizens.
No line of kingly ancestors could add
the glory of him who has been called by
e voice of his countrymen to the office
President of the greatest nation of an
ent or modern times. Our Presidents are
Re the founders of the dynasties of the
d World, who, in recognition of their
were raised upon the shields
their comrades and made the recipients
their fealty. Each man who fills the
ould have him fill 1t, who preserves and
otects our institutions from its enemies
om without and within. not only builds
5 own fortune and leaves an imperish-
lie name to those who succeed him but |
tains the highest earthly honors that
n be conferred on man."
Representative CannOn's Toast.
The next speaker was Representative
Innon of Illinois. who spoke On Our I
untry," saying in part:
The country stretches from the Atlantic
,ast on the East to the Pacific on the 8
est. II has been here for a million years,
d did not become country until We &C.
pied it, 1t is not the area that makes
untry but the men who occupy 1t.
hat progress we have made in one hum /
ed years. c
Think of it! A country of the people. r
which all have equal opportunity. From !
N Franklin up, there were our heroes 4
d our men,. Thomas Paine was ours, !
lferson was ours, Washington was ours ,
we're parts of other lands. but were all r
TT OF us. and helped to build up orr eat g
ccess. Think of our list of Presidents, +
strong and great because they were OF i
e people. These were not of one party. \
D; when the grave has closed over them :
: have found that they were all Ameri- s
MS. jefferson felt his way in trembling :
len he entered into the Louisiana pur- ,
ase. believing that he was violating the +
institution. Later was jackson; later .
Is Lincoln-a man Of the people. No of :
G North or South, bat Of the whole peo- r
2. Common by way of education. yet y
esident of the United States. He knew
e heart beats of all men. He could f,
,se his eyes and see into the future and r
sayings struck those who heard them i
milton Adams, Monroe. Webster all !,
re ours-the latter the grandest orator
er heard in any land. Yet none in all :
ase were perfect. All were men, and z