The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-05
DINNER WAS QUITE UNIQUE
In Reply to Speech EuloeIxlng Him Sir Thomas Upton Says Though He Has Lost the Cup He Has
 Won American Esteem.

'
 Nearly one hundred men prominent in many walks of life were present At either end of the hall was hung Sir Thomas private emblem, a Shamrock on field of yellow, surrounded by green border. while above the guests table were draped the flags of Great Britain and the United States.
 Surmounting the menu cards, which bore the flags of Sir Thomas and the Royal Ulster Yacht club. was a card board yacht.
 In order to enliven affairs somewhat at the outset the guests sang little song to the refrain of "Mr. Dooley," which told of the virtues of Sir Thomas and his enduring efforts to lift the cup.
 There had been arranged no formal speeches, but the following were called on George T. Wilson, Sir Thomas Lip ton, Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Gen. H. c. Corbin, Col Henry Watterson, Former Governor c. s. Thomas of Colorado and Senator E. A. Bates. With Sir Thomas at the guests table sat the Earl of Shaftsbury, commodore of the Royal Ulster Yacht club Colonel Sharman- Crawford, vice commodore of the Royal Ulster Yacht club; Commodore r. c. Bourne, Gen. H. C. Corbln, William Fife, Rear Admiral Rodgers, Col. Henry Wat terson, Gen. Joseph Wheeler, George T. Wilson and former Governor Thomas.
 Women Appear in Boxes.
 When the Ices were served a procession of walters marched in to popular air, bearing trays crowned with gilded harps and fully rigged models of Reliance and Shamrock. Later women began to appear In the boxes, among them being the Countess of Shaftsbury and many other women who have been Sir Thomas guests on hoard the Erin
 MT. Wilson, addressing Sir Thomas, said that his attitude had struck a responsive chord in every heart
 As a loser' he said, you are a corker You will ever have the admiration, love and regard of all Americans"
 Sir Thomas was given many hearty rounds of cheers when he arose. He said: We are all, more or less, pilgrims to- night, and l would like to fee, that am not stranger among you. Many of my best American friends are Pilgrims. and l regard it as a great honor to be your guest.
 As regards the cup races, we have been beaten fairly and squarely, and I congratulate America on having the bet terter boat. 1 wish to take occasion here to express my thanks for the courtsey and kindness shown me by the New York club. Everything has been done that could be done to make my visit here a pleasant one. l am especially grateful for the ad- mirable way in which the course was kept clear.
 T have heard such comment for and against the Sandy Hook course. It is as 1 ac anu no other course in the world like 1t.
 MagIo Spell Over the Cup.
 T am beginning to think there Is some magic spell about that "Bloomin old cup" Two years ago had 1t almost with In my grasp but 1t escaped me, then as 1t escaped me now and it seems as far off as ever. Ie reminds me of the story of the Irishman who was asked If he could play a fiddle 'I don't know" said he, I've never tried It. l have tried 1t and tried it again without success but my motive has always been try, try again.
 Although I have been without sue cess, l have tried and I do not despair that sometime I will succeed in capturing that famous trophy although must con- fess that we appear now to be more than a little bit astern.
 ''Hereschoff is the greatest designer of the age, but I am stll very hopeful that l shall see that cup on the other side yet.
 America is a very hard country to beat and know 1t. l am very disappointed man, but still have the consolation that both conquerors and conquered belong to the same good old race, The cup is still in the family, but it is held by a younger and more go-ahead generation.
 Has Not Lost Esteem.
 "Gentlemen, while I lost the cup, or rather did not succeed in winning 1t, have not lost the esteem and good wishes of my American friends whose esteem and good wishes I recprocate in the very highest degree possible. A great com fort and consolation to me in my unsuc- cessful effort to lift the cup Is the great kindness shown me by all classes. My feeling of gratitude for this spirit was great beyond expression. I shall bear in my heart the remembrance of your kindly acts for all time. I am sure that as tho days and years roll by these contests will not have been held in vain If they make us realize that wherever we are all the world over we shall brothers be for a that"
 After speeches had been made by the Earl of Shaftsbury, General Corbin and Colonel Watterson, General Wheeler spoke as follows:
 Wheelers Speech.
 ''The Pilgrims club appreciates the honor conferred on it's members and it's guests by the presence with us tonight of Sir Thomas Lipton.
 ''The events of the last two weeks are an illustration of the old and tried say ing that we sometimes build higher than we know. It is fortunate not only for myself, 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 be- come in reality fortune, triumph and vic- tory. Sir Thomas came to America to win a silver cup. He has won what is even better than a golden crown, the admira- ton, 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.
 For months Sir Thomas has been the most prominent and conspicuous indvid- ual on the face of the globe. The calcium searchlight has been on him every mos ment, and when he returns to our mother country he will be welcomed as one who In the eyes of the world has elevated the standard of Anglo-Saxon manhood. and he will carry with him the ever increasing love and admiration of the American peo- ..l.t