The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-03-02
THE FOOT GUARD BANQUET
125TH 4 ANYIYERSARY CELEBRATED LAST NIGHT.

the Season mt the Tontlne HoteI-Gov-
 mcnt Men presemt-rnformat Speeches.
 The one hundred and twenty-fifth an- niversary banquet of the Second com pany, Governors Foot Guard, which was held in the Tontine hotel last even- ing, proved one of the most notable gatherings of the kind in the history of this famous organization. At few ban- quets this year has such a list Of nota- ble men been assembled together, At the guests table were seated His FIX celency, Governor George E. Louns- bury, Major E. M. Clark, Mayor Dris- coll and the following prominent mlll- tary men: Captain T. H. Wilson, U. ,. A.; Colonel T. F. Callahan, Colonel L. w. Burpee Captain Harbisson, F. F., ex-Major B. E. Brown, Captain G. w. Phillips, Captain Bryant, First compa- ny, G. F. G.. Major Andrus, F. F., Ma jor Shedd, P. P; Captain Root, F. F., and Sergeant D. c. Beecher.
 The banquet opened shortly after $ o'clock with every seat at the eighteen large tables taken. The scene was a brilliant one and slight attempt at de- scription may not be amlss The long tables, set lengthWise of the room, were beautifully decorated with flowers and potted plants, and spread with the finest service the Tontine boasts. The walls of the dining room were hung with draped American flags and the emblems of the company At the further end ot ind ma apnifioPnt screen of palms and potted plants, was con- cealed Fichtps string orchestra, Whlch discoursed music at intervals during the evening. Selections by the Temple quar- tette added to the enjoyment of the oc- casion also. The menu served was the special creation of Landlord White ana chef d'oeuvre of the culinary art. ln the intervals between it's many courses songs by diners sitting at the different tables were received with great ap- plause. Throughout the banquet, Tn fact. a delightful air of informallty pre- vailed. which added much to the enjoy ,oent of the occasion. Even the speech es. which were for the most part ot fve- minute length, were informal, put thle did not detract in any way from thelr worth
 It was 10:30 when Major Clark, pre- siding as toastmaster of the OCCASION, rose and on behalf of the company plu those present welcome. His remarks were sSort, and almost immediately ne called upon Sergeant l.. E. Jerome 10 read a short history of the company which he had prepared. The history nroved most interesting and was recelV- ed with applause. Even the statement of the historian that Benedict Arnold was the first captain of the company failed to lower the spirits of the diners.
 Following Sergeant Jerome's history of inc company, Major Clark said: Il have the honor to introduce to you to- might our captain general, Governor Lounsbury"
 Governor Lounsbury rose amidst much cheering. He said it seemed strange to him not to have tosrespond ,to the toast, HThe State of Connectl- cut.o but it was a pleasant surprise. He then related the legend of the Indian chief, who is the guiding spirit or Niagara Falls He related the anecdote he said not because there was any sinl- Iarity between him and that of the Indian chief, but because he had en- dured many similar trials in attending the banquet.
 "Whenever I march with the Foot Guards he said, T leave all pomp and war paint behind, and to the members of my staff It is only in due apprecla- tion of the worth of this company to say that I am proud that the state of Connecticut made me your chleI. statesmanship is ever linked with SOL diership. and with it's mandates in the contest for the supremacy of manliness and truth"
 In closing the governor said: Tn war stand by your company and your guns. But peace also has it's conquests as we'll as war; and in peace stand by your comrades and your company
 The governor was roundly applauded at the close of his remarks and in re- eponse to the question, "Who is Cover nor Lounsbury," came the following: .sFirst in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of the G. F. e.
 Ex-Colonel Burpee followed Governor Lounsbury. He said it seemed strange to him to speak before concourSe of military men wearing the uniform or the colonel of the Second regiment and be called it's ex-colonel. In all his con- nection with the regiment he said he found no warmer support from any of the companies than from the Foot Guard And in the time of the span ish war" he said, T received the same support from Major Brown.
 Tt gives me no little pleasure to say that I appear in your company tonight in the uniform of the colonel of the Second regiment for the last time. have received an invitation from your commanding officer asking me to be- come member of his staff; and here after I will probably wear the uniform of the Foot Guard.
 "I wish to refer in closing to Colonel Callahan. Whatever you may hear, whatever you may see in the papers in regard to him, you may have no fear of Colonel Callahan. It may seem to won that he is under fire. Let me say that the first requisite of a good soldier is to obey the commands of his superior officers. Let me also say, as one who knows the facts, that time will vindi- cate him."
 Mayor Driscoll was introduced by Major Clark as an eX-member of the Foot Guard Mayor Driscoll said that in accordance with the custom of mak- ing mayors of New Haven members ot the Foot Guard he had become an hon
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