Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-06-30
REID IS WELCOMED.
Pilgrims Society CT London Honors
American Ambassador to ST.
James Court.

London, June 24.-Whitelaw Reid the
American ambassador, who has been off
cially received by king Edward and the
members of the cabinet and entertained
socially by royalty and the leaders of
English society, made his first appear
ance in public as ambassador last night
at dinner given ii his honor by the
Pilgrims society of London. The gath
ering included many of Englands most
famous men, with q sprinkilng OF Amer
lean residents of London, all OF whom
gave the heartiest welcome to the Amer
lean representative. Lord Roberts pre-
sided and he said:
The first toast on this vast programme
Is one which cannot but appeal TO everyone
In this rom. 1t is that OF King Edward
and President Roosevelt. l thought that on
an occasion such as this, when we pilgrims
of this country assembled to do honor 20
a brother pilgrim in the person Of the emf
nent gentleman who has come TO this cOun-
try to represent America at the court OF
st. James, that it would be appropriate to
bracket the names OF the rulers OF the re-
spective countries not only because they
are rulers but because in their per-
sons we have two of the greatest peace
makers Of the present time.
Praises Peace Champions.
When we reflect OH the happy results Of
King Edwards continental journeys, upon
the friendly relations OF Great Britain win
others powers, and, indeed, all ana
every phase of the Kings reign, King Ed
wards success as promoter o. peace ana
good feeling stands out pre-emlnent. Inc
same might be said of President Roosevelt
who even now is giving the world the
strongest proof of his love Of peace and
who may be considered to be one of ciyIliZa-
tion'S truest friends
l ask you all to drink to the health, long
life and prosperity OF The King and Of that
distinguished gentleman, President RooSc-
welt
To Premier Balfour fell the task of
proposing the toast to the guest of the
evening. Mr.. Balfour said that the SEN
timents with which they regarded the
American ambassador were different
from those meted out to the representa-
tive Of any other power. The American
ambassador represented not an alien
power, but q power of whose greatness
Great Britain was proud and whose
progress Great Britain had watched with
interest. Whtelaw Reds predecessors
had indicated that it was the wish OF
America to be little entangled in the pol
itics of the old world, but Premier Bal
four said he doubted whether that doc
trine in its extreme purity would be
much longer maintained, as it was not
reasonable to think that some great
planet could be suddenly introduced into
the solar system and remain there with
out having an effect on the planets with
which it associated. This, the premier
said, was seen in President Roosevelt S
effort toward peace.
Ambassador Reid received an enthu-
siastic reception on rising to reply. He
said:
Words fail me for proper acknowledgment
OF the too kind things you have been
pleased to say and the too generous manner
In which they have been received.
Pays Tribute to Choate.
I must confess that such occasions tend
20 promote sober humility. | have never
listened TO these roo HIGHLY confident 1Dtici-
pations without an eager prayer that hopes
so little warranted might not be wholly dis
appointed, just heretofore | never re
ceived recognition of any bit of official work
without wondering how n generous people
could rate my work so far above its real
worth
With all my heart l thank you. With all
my poor ability | shall try to do my duty.
] shall not equal my distinguished prede-
cessor in winning your paudiIs. What
American in this generation can?
Now, as to this business which one hears
on every hand, the great duty of the Amer
lean ambassador-the business of laboring
in season and out of season with the sole
thought and aim of bringing about friendly
relations between the two countries OF
course, we ought to be on good terms Why
not? Let me put it Il little differently.
We are on good terms. Why not? What
conceivable reason is there now why the
two great branches Of the Englsh-Speaking
family should not be as they are actually
enjoying friendly relations? We are told
that it is our duty to bring these about.
increasingly for n good many years their
historical state. 1t is thing which now
comes naturally. The opposite is what
would be unnatural and different, against
instinct, monSUouS
One supposes there must be something
people still think we are likely to disagree
about because there are constant hopes that
won't. Who in this room think Of
any subject the wide world round on which
Great Britain and America have real causes
for serious difference or dispute? Who can
think of any cause now at issue be-
tween them beyond the dignity of a court
of petty sessions?
Pleads for Closer Union.
Wen then, perhaps we may agree that
this business of keeping up the struggle to
secure friendly relations between the two
countries is no longer quite rs urgent as
TO demand all your attention Now. if the
Society of Pilgrims finds one of its tasks
happily accomplished and to that extent
its mission gone, If it no longer needs to
exert itself III bringing about the good will
Of either branch of the Notwithstanding
people toward the other. it still has left a
great work, this good will will reach
down to deeper foundations and its wider
growth and absolute permanence will be
assured If you can increase the intercourse
between us and bring about more intimate
knowledge OF each other. There are tbs
only guarantees of perpetual peace we need
Coming of Lord Roberts.
In this view. and indeed for all reasons
1t is great pleasure that Lord Roberts is
going to America. lie Will find there n
enthusiastic welcome which will spring
spontaneously from every branch of oul
composite citizenship unanimously, sucI
rs even, American public leaders rarely
command. We want more such men t.
come TO America has open arms fol
such men and awaits them with the cleo
trio enthusiasm of our younger land.
The old unhappy. far-on times when meet
ings were an opportunity for friction have
long since disappeared. Give us now tho
widest possible personal acquaintance. Give
US frequent meetings on each others soil
Give us visits of friendship visits of trade
and visits of study, observation travel ant
sport. Give us intimate and constant per
sonal correspondence, and, may l add with
out indiscretion, give us facilities for th,
transmission of our correspondence Scme
what less archaic than the two countrie:
now provided more nearly up TO the de
mands of the wideawake Twentieth cen
fury.
VAUGHAN FREAKS RFCORT