The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-08-04
A PR|NC[LY BANQUET
Notable Function at the Al
IantiC Hotel.
A Lady's Description of the Banquet rendered
by Hon. J. A. Bryan to Gov. Alcock
and Staff,

lowing interesting account o. the banquet
to Governor Aycock at the Atlantic Hotel
last Monday night:
The most brilliant event OF twenty odd
years since The Atlantic Hotel was first
opened for the reception oil guests.
Despite the fact that various CORE
spondents have been sent to as many
dailies, exceedingly interesting notices of
Monday nights notable function here
feel that it may not be uninteresting
reading for your Sundays issue, to elabo-
rate that superb entertainment, along
certain lines which were barely touched
upon. For the occasion was by far the
most comprehensive and elegant enter
tainment ever Witnessed in the more than
a score of years, since the now famous
Atlantic Hotel first opened her doors in
her spic and span new dress, to receive
her first guest. l refer, of course to the
princely banquet, rendered by the man
agement, through their spokesman-Ho
James A. Bryan, president of the Atlantic
and North Carolina road, to His Excel
lency Charles b. Aycock, and staff, and
the officers of the Second regiment of the
National Guards of North Carolina, which
had been in camp here, for the previous
ten days. The scene was impressive, l
might well say beyond description, when
the guests were assembling, and the glitter
of uniforms, minglng with the severe
black of the civilians full dress, furnished
perfect back ground to the superbly
gowncd matrons, seated in the spacious
ballroom, and the beautifully attired
maidens, of the fifty couples who were
gliding through the intricate mazes of
sundry new figures of the german. 1t is
estimated that fully two thousand visi-
tors were in the motel corridors-ball-room
and promenades, as the hundred invited
guests filed into the spacious and brli
liantly Illuminated dining room. More
than a hundred covers had been laid on
the tables-convenently arranged in the
form of a double THE transverse bars,
at the upper end of the dining hall, meet
ing in the center. Just at this point sat
our illustrious Chief Executive, his clear
cut features distinctly outlined, III profile,
to the thousand visitors, who were con
stantly filing, back and forth, on the
promenades in front of the windows. His
Excellencys chief of staff, Gen. B. S.
Register, occupying the seat on the Gov
ernors right hand, and President Bryan,
toast master of the evening, directly on
his left: the other officers coming in due
order.
Directly en- ICE, at the termini of the
transverse tables, sat Ex-Governor Thorn
as j. Jarvis and Gen. w. r. Cox, con-
spicuous figures of the old guard, and the
brilliant glitter of the new. A number
of distinguished gentlemen, CONSPICUOUS in
political, business and social circles, occu-
pied seats at intervals, along the lines;
adding interest to the spectators without
and zest to the conversation around the
festive board. The splendid banquet
ended without a flaw from start to fin
ish; as champagne was also passed to
the ladies on the balcony who were asked
to join IN toast to the Governor of the
State. This was responded to by that
gifted gentleman in a beautiful tribute to
the woman of North Carolina In re-
spending to the toast, THE Old North
State,' the strong face of the Governor
relaxed into a humorous smile, in stating
he had been informed by the toast master
that the space of five minutes was to be
the limit of speech-making. The hour, he
said was then twelve p. m. and five hours
of the remaining night would not be suff-
Gent for him to tell all that the distin-
guished son of North Carolina on his
left referring to President Bryan) had
done to develop the resources of the A.
and N. c. r. r., and to prepare the At
lantic Hotel to be one of its most valuable
possessions. The marvellous energy and
ability of the gentlemen referred to truly
accomplished wonders, IN an lncrC~ liable
short time, along every line of action that
had come within his scope of his author
ity; and he looked to see the facilities of
travel and transportation and the attrac-
tons of this famous summer resort doubly
enhanced by another season. And
as TO North Carolina, the be-
loved State of his nativity, no
extension of time, allotted to man, could
afford him sufficient opportunity to tell all
his love for and his zeal for her welfare;
and he was turning all the resources of
his administrations as he interpreted the
duties of his position, towards the up
lifting of her people. Men might differ in
their ideas of the methods to be used,
but for him, immediate and constant
doing, there could be but one line of ac-
ton for him to pursue-namely to redeem
the pledges he and his ADVISORS had made
to the people who had placed
him in power. If all that
he willed could be done, North Carolina
would shine from tonight as the brightest
star in the galaxy of States. The Cover
nor also stated that he would like to
have an unlimited number of five min
utes' in which to tell alone of the heroic
labors of his valuable aide, Major w. H.
Smith, of Goldsboro, who had labored
with such untiring zeal. in and out #
season, in arranging the grounds, and
preparing quarters for the encampment
of the Second Regiment. which he had
reviewed that afternoon with pride and
qualification. The Governor took his
seat amid round after round of applause
After brief interval, short but inter
esting addresses were made by Gen. B. S.
Royster on "The North Carolina National
Guard" by ex-senator Thomas j. Jarvis,
on "The Diplomatic Service of the United
States;'' by Gen. William R. Cox, ''From
81 to '65;" ''The Spanish War;"
by Assistant Surgeon Gen. B. r. Hunter;
"The Second Infantry, at Morehead City,
by Col T. G. James; 'The Company, its
Relation to the Guard Capt G. L. Pet
erson; "The Press and the Sword" Col.
Joseph E. Robinson; 'The Business Man
as a Factor in the Nation" Mr.. John R.
Morris IlrOnnunoad nv r,1rn her of ma Ia