Evening journal., 1903-09-05
BANQUET GIVEN
TO SIR THOMAS
Guest Of Pilgrims of United
States at a Dinner in His
Honor
WILL CAPTURE CUP SOME DAY

New York, Sept. Sir Thomas
Liuton was the guest of honor of the
Phi grins of the United States at a
dinner given in his honor at the Wal
dorf-Astoria. Nearly $50 men, promi-
nent in many walks of life, we're pres
ept. There had been arranged no for.
mai speeches, but the following were
called upon: George T. Wilson, Sir
Thomas Upton, General Joseph
Wheeler. General H. c. Corbin, Col
onel Henry Watterson. Ex-Governor G.
S. Thomas. CT Colorado. and Senator
A. +. Bates.
Mr.. Wilson presided at the dinner
in the absence oil Bishop Potter, the
president of the society, When the
ices were served a procession OF wait
ers marched in to a popular air, bear
ing trays crowned with gilded harps,
full-rigged models of Reliance and
Shamrock and easels witlS figures Of
yachts.
Mr.. Wilson, addressing Sly Thomas,
said that his attitude had stI uck a re-
sponsive chord in every heart.
"As a loser" said he, you are a
corker. You will ever have tive ad-
miration, love and regard of all A.u,2ri-
cans" .t.4.
Sir Thomas was given many heaI1, Y
rounds of cheers when he arose He
said:
I'VE are all more or less Pilgrims
here, and l would like to feel that
am not a stranger among you. Many
of my best American friends are Pill
grims 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
congratulate America on having the
better boat / wish to take occasion
here to express my thanks for the
courteousness and kindness shown me
by the New York Yacht Club. Every
thing has been done that could be
done to make my visit here a pleasant
one. l am beginning to think that
there is some magic spell about that
bloomin' old cup. Two years ago /
had it almost within my grasp, but 1t
escaped me then as it has escaped me
now. and it seems as far off as ever
It reminds me of the story of the
Irishman who was asked if he could
play a fiddle. I don't know, said hes
I've never tried it, / have tried it
and tried it again without success, but
my, motto has always been try, try
again.
Although / have been without sue
cess each time l have tried l do not
| despair that some day we shall sue
ceed in capturing that famous trophy,
although l must confess that we ap-
pear now to be more than a little bit
astern.
'Herreshoff is the greatest designer
of the age, but | am still very hopeful
that | will see that cup on the other
side yet
Gentlemen. while l lost the cup
or rather did not succeed in winning
It. have not lost the esteem and good
will of my American friends, which es-
TEEN and good will l reciprocate in the
very highest degree possible. A great
/ comfort and consolation to me In my
unsuccessful effort to life the cup is
the great kindness shown me by all
classes. My feeling Of gratitude for
this spirit is great beyond expression.
| shall bear in my heart the remem-
brance of your kindly acts for all time
I am sure that as the 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 'Britishers be for
athat"