Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-05-02
IS GLAD IO GET HONE
Minister Conler Expresses
Pleasure Il BEING Again
In Native State.
Text Of Ais Address at the Ban.
quet Held in Council
Bluffs.
Arrival It Des Moines Sifnal fol
Great Demonstration..Re.
ceptions Planned.

banquet at the Grand hotel yesterday
afternoon from o'clock to 4:4O was an
exclusive, tho a somewhat Inclusive af-
fair About 100 sat down to table, in
Guiding visitors from Des Moines, poll
ticians from thruout the state. and the
leading citizens of Council Bluffs. When
the eating was over, the ladies, includ-
ing Mrs. Conger. Miss Conger and Miss
Pierce. to the capacity of the room.
We're admitted, Governor Shaw was
itoast-master and presided with much
grace and ease.
AT the right of Governor Shaw sat
Major Conger and on his left Senator
Dolliver. Others at the table of honor
We're A. B. Cummins, John N. Baldwin,
Mayor Jennings, G. G. Saunders. c. NJ.
Harl and Rev. Mr.. Sims. AT $40 Gov
sernor Shaw raped for silence, and af-
ter few words concerning the honor
Major Conger had conferred upon the
nation and the state, and the great
pride Iowa felt in his career, introduced
Mayor Jennings, who delivered the
formal address of welcome.
Governor Shaw then in eloquent
words, presented Major Conger who re-
sponded to the toast, Our Guest"
Major Conger was visibly affected by
the warmth of his reception, and when
he first commenced speaking his voice
was broken with emotion. Toward the
close it became stronger. especially
when he spoke of the responsibility of
the imperial government OF China for
the siege of the legationers. Major
Conger in substance said:
II shall find it impossible to give ex-
preston to the feelings which your well
come inspires. 1t was indeed good when
I looked out of the car window this
morning and saw the sun shining on
the green hills of Iowa. No language is
strong enough to tell of the deep grati-
tude of myself and family to be home
again. can only say thank you with
all my heart. in behalf of myself and
those who have shared perils with me.
From their hearts and mine shall for
ever gush out a stream of gratitude i'm
measurable and unmeasured. But great
as your demonstration Is, l do not con-
slider 1t my own. 1t shows rather the
interest you have felt in an extraordin-
airy situation. History does not recall
|. a parallel to the events of last sum
mer in Pekin. To you we We're dead.
To US it semed a resurrection when we
came up out of the valley of the shadow
OF death. and now that we stand on the
summit of real life once again 1t Is good
to be alive.
II am glad to be citizen OF state
which at the ballot box supports our
present splendid national administra-
ton and sends to congress SO magnif1-
cent a delegation. 1t is three years
since 1 left Iowa. We were then some
what in the dumps. The clouds of de-
preston still lowered. How great has
been the revival of trade and industry,
aided by the intelligence of the presl-
dent and his advisers. Three years ago
a wave of feeling was beginning to go
over the land, demanding the relief of
Cuba. The work of delivery, how grand
ly was it accomplished. But not only
was Cuba freed. but the war started
this country on a new pathway. The
Philippines, Hawaii Porto Rico, are
now ours. We have become a world
power, at least with reference to the
east. Only forty years ago in China
began the march of the missionaries
and since great has been the growth of
American interests. The trade we now
have is but a beginning. Ever growing
are the means of communication A new
line of steamers now plies from Hong
Kong to San Francisco. stopping at
Manila. and another has been estab-
lished between Hong Kong and Aus
tralia. also stopping at Manila Soon
we are to have a direct line from Hong
Kong to our Pacific coasts ports. The
control of the Pacific will pass into our
hands II we are wise enough to build
up merchant marine by the only way
it can be built up. Call them subsidies
if you will. but the fact is that there is
not nation in the world which does
not use them. We must do as others
do. or lag behind in the race for COM
mercial supremacy.
1T is proper that the intelligent citi-
zens of this great republic should begin
TO feel an increased concern about the
orient. The future will doubtless prove
that the siege Of Pekin was turning
point. Out of those dreadful days good
is likely to come. At present our trade
With the east has been lessened, but it is
only a temporary staying.
II wish l had time to tell you the
story of the siege. But doubtless you
know all I do and perhaps a great deal
more. Iaughter) But will stop
long enough to say that the attacks on
the legations were made by imperial
troops. led by Chinese princes under the
Chinese flag. We We're in no danger
from the Boxers. Every cannon pointed
against us was an imperial cannon. The
whole responsibility rests upon the Chic
nese government. know reports have
gone out to the world that the imperial
government found ii impossible to sup
Press formidable insurrection and was
not guilty beyond supineness. This is
rot true. The fault was with the reccg-
rized Chinese officials. am glad to
add, however. that those responsible for
the attacks have been punished or arc
ON the way to punishment. / am per-
suaded that the more progressive Chi
rose in southern China are glad that
there has been punishment. The impe-
I. ial government Itself is glad, and there
will never be a repetition of such
scenes. The lesson has been taught and
will not be forgotten. prophesy good
OF the future. The saddest thing Is that
we can not bring back the devoted ard
heroic missionaries who persisted to the
number Of 200. but they will be satisfied
with the knowledge that out OF the seed
Of their martyrdom has come adyapce-
ment and progress
Mr.. Conger closed his speech by tell
ing of a message sent by his secretary