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.


night Nearly 100 members and guests
we're 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 noted in many vacations. The
decorations were very elaborate. including
all Of the corps Gags anG pennants, set of
with roses and rare plants.
The hve-s ote Veterans and guests ap-
plauded to the echo every sentiment ut
tered hy the six speakers and found vent
for feeling when the orchestra struck up
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: zone 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-
precistes 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 a work Of supererOgation for me
TO do more than to refer to it. 1t is suffi-
cient 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 a
commander in civil or military life, de-
ponds on the men in the ranks. But
am assigned TO the duty Of speaking OF
the Presidential Office. The more the Con-
stitution is studied the more extensive the
powers Of the President appear. In addi-
ton TO being the chief executive officer of
the nation, and charged with seeing that
the laws are faithfully executed and en-
forced be is entrusted with authority to
initiate all treaties with foreign nations,
receive ambassadors and other public
ministers. and is made Commander-in-
Chief 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
powers it would serve no useful purpose
o mention at this time or in this presence. |
These extensive powers speak but one |
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 |
llustriOus men during the brief history of /
ur nation. and perhaps three men, Wash /
ngton, jefferson, and Lincoln stand forth 4
more conspicuously than ers as eTnbody- 4
ng the true ideals OF a President. In my /
Judgment 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
Oundation of the Government the office
as been filled by distinguished citizens, il
ustrating to the world that the exacting
equirements Of the position can be met TO
be entire satisfaction OF the masses and
, the honor and glory OF the country
while the people repose confidence III
be integrity. loyalty and ability of their
hief Magistrate, and give him loyal sup
ort the history of the race shows that
ais trust and confidence can only be main
aimed through the frankest action on his
art. Republics are jealous. and jealousy
an only be successfully met and over
lrown by a course which will satisfy the
ublic that nothing they have a right to
now is being concealed from them. Heads
Z monarchies inherit their rank or are
elected from the narrow confines Of fami-
es born in the purple The head OF the
merican Republic wears his honor as a
ommon citizen, like the laurels that en-
wine the brow Of the soldier and as an
mblem Of the achievement of his own arm
nd 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
le voice of his countrymen to the Office
President Of the greatest nation OF an
ent or modern times. Our Presidents are
Ike the founders of the dynasties of the
ID World. who. in recognition OF their
,hievements, were raised upon the shields
their comrades and made the recipients
their fealty. Each man who fills the /
OF the Office. as the people
ould have him I'LL it, who preserves and
-otects our institutions from its enemies |
ON without and within not only builds
s own fortune and leaves an imperish- (
DE name to those who succeed him but
tains the highest earthly honors that
ID be conferred on man."
Representative Cnnnon's Toast.
The next speaker was Representative I
4nnon of Illinois, who spoke on Our I
Duntry." saying in part:
The country stretches from the Atlantic
1ast on the East to the Pacific on the $
est. II has been here for a million years,
"a did not become a country until we &C.
pied it, II is not the area that makes
untry. but the men who occupy 1t.
hat progress we have made in one hun
ed years. C
Think of it, A country OF the people. q
which all have equal opportunity. From :
IN Franklin up. there were our heroes I
ID our men,. Thomas Paine was ours. |
nersou was ours, Washington was ours \
were parts Of other lands, but were all q
ut Of us. and helped to build up orr eat Q
ccess. Think OF our list of Presidents, 7
] strong and great because they were OF i
e people. These were not OF one party. \
o; when the grave has closed over them 4
f have found that they were all Ameri- :
ms. jefferson felt his way in trembling !
hen he entered into the Louisiana pur- )
.ase. believing that he was violating the :
institution. Later was Jackson; later =,
as Lincoin-a man Of the people. No OF !
e North or South, bat Of the whole peo-
e. Common BY way Of education. yet \
'esident OF the United States. He knew
e heart beats Of all men. He could +,
lse his ewes and see into the future and Z
S sayings struck those who heard them. 4
amilton Adams Monroe. Webster all :,
re ours-the latter the graHdest orator
er heard In any land. Yet none in all :
80 49,, ,,.rF..F p-arp