Perth Amboy evening news., 1903-09-05
PILGRIMS HONOR Upton.
General Wheeler Tells of His POpu.
larity In America.


NEW YORK, Sept. 5.-At the Dime,
of the Pilgrims of the United States to
Sir Thomas Upton at the Waldorf-As-
toria George T. Wilson, chairman of
the executive committee, presided In
the absence of Bishop Potter, president
of the Pilgrims.
In proposing the health of Sir Thorn.
as Upton General Wheeler said:
The Pilgrims club appreciates the
honor conferred upon its members and
its guests by the presence with US Of
Sir Thomas Upton.
The events of the last two weeks are
an illustration of the old and trite say
ing that we sometimes build better
than we know 1t is fortunate not only
for himself. but for the world that Sir
Thomas did not succeed in the special
purpose for which he crossed the ocean.
What seemed to be loss. misfortune
and disaster has become in reality for
tune, triumph and victory. Sir Thomas
came to America to win a silver cup.
He has won what is even better than a
golden crown-the admiration. applause
and love of the world. Any one can be
grand in success and victory. but the
world produces few who can rise to the
height of grandeur when their most
herculean efforts have failed in the
cherished purpose of their ambitions.
In all ages and in all countries the
ablest and strongest of men have at
+irnaS boon avopr-hn1pnnd vu;+l ,n;cfo,
tune and disaster. The greatest and
most successful soldiers have lost bat
ties. have lost campaigns, have lost
Kingdoms, empires and country. 1t only
proves that misfortune is sometimes
Eel more potential than genius and
that the strongest and best efforts can
not overcome the irresistible. Koscius-
ko is immortal in fame and poetry,
though defeated in his military and pa
triotic aspirations, Washington after
his reverses IN Boston and Long Island
and amid all the gloom which lowered
ON his cause in the dark days at Valley
Forge was revered by his countryInen
and trusted by his troops and people as
q military commander. Lee in his al
most solitary ride from Appomattox to
Richmond lost none of the glory and
popular idolatry which had attached TO
his name in the midst of his greatest
triumphs, and, to use the words of the
great historian, Napoleon. the greatest
man of whom history makes mention,
the most wonderful commander. the
most sagacious politician, the most pro-
found statesman, lost by arms Poland.
Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and
France. Fortune. that lame for the
unknown combinations of indefinite
power, was wanting to him, and with
out her aid the designs of men are as
bubbles on a troubled ocean
For months Sir Thomas has been
the most prominent and conspicuous in
dividual upon the face of the globe.
The calcium searchlight has been upon
him every moment, and when he re-
turns to our mother country he will be
welcomed as one who in the eyes of the
has elevated the standard of An
glo-Saxon manhood. and he will carry
with Kim the ever increasing love and
admiration of the American people"
Sir Thomas rose TO speak amid a
salvo of cheers. The guests rose to
their feet and waved Il salute and then
gave three final shouts to show their
appreciation.
Ladies' and gentleman" said Sir
Thomas. Il do not feel that | have done
anything to merit the kind reception
you have given to me tonight. 1t is
very gratifying to know that in the
midst of defeat l retain your friend
and good will.
81 am beginning to think that there
is a magic spell about that blooming
old cup. Two years ago it was in my
grasp. and it escaDed me then as now.