Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-23
:OREFATHERS' DAY BANQUET
Distinguished Company Attends Feast o.
New England Society of New York.
BY PRESIDENT ALDERMAN
Head of University of Virginia Dis
cusses sectiOnRIism and Nation
aIIty-sOuthern View of
Roots Speech.

NEW YORK, Dec 22.-With three gov
ernors, two college presidents, an admiral
OF the United States navy, bishop and
distinguished explorer its principal
guests, the New England society Of New
York tonight celebrated its one hundred
and first anniversary with banquet at the
Waldorf Astoria.
with President Fletcher sat the follow
ing guests:
John McLane governor OF New H@ mp
shire He1EK gB GSverRo[ on con- of
Aalnei DR.. Erwin A. Alderman, president
Of the University Of Virginia the r. E Eey.
Mam RobsT Pea 4Sn0S and Rear
Admiral Joseps B. Cughlan, u. 8. N.
The toast. "Forefathers' Day" was re-
sponded to by Bishop Lawrence
"sectionalism and Nationality" was the
topic assigned to President Alderman.
President F. e. Luther OF Trinity college
discussed Schools of the Country
Commander Peary told Of THE Farthest
North"
President AIderman's Address.
On states rights President Alderman said;
The doctrine OF states rights, as neceS-
gaging the Thought Of this republic, be-
cause mightieT forces than war are vital
izing this old issue under new forms. Those
est and will fight for It longest are those
who live in the states where devotion to
a country they had fought to found There
Is nothing stranger or more interesting In
political history than the recurrence Of
this bestowed dogma OF the south as nee
essary to federal union and human freedom.
II, as Mr.. Root thinks, the struggle Is on
between the growing power Of the federal
OF the states, you can count on the
southerner to be on the side of maintaining
more clearly than he just what is the vital
spot In the liberty Of a state. / interpret
Mr.. Roots speech as a prophesy and a
warning rather than as plea for centrali-
zation. The drift that way is unquestiOned.
WIN the states let the drift cOntinue1
When race riot occurs there are outcries
and loud voices and some sinking of the
heart. / dare TO say that the people of the
south are handling the problem of the
African as wisely as any people could hope
to do in the first generation OF African
freedom In time or human foment and
struggle IN all lands; Upon the south rests
the burden Of the African and the problem
of the integrity OF the race as upon New
England rests the burden OF assimilating
the discontinued and aspiring OF all lands.
Win the age-long antagOnlsm between
New England and the south ever endI
They are peoples Of long memories, OF stin
necks, and perhaps Will never lie down In
lion and lambllke fashion, nor Is that
necessary or desirable for the stability 81
the republic or the grandeur Of its ideals.
Fate once drove them to war for their
Ideals OF Americanism. As the struggle
for liberty takes on new phases fate may
bring them to understanding and sympathy.
Another Virginia Mans Views.
CHARLESTON, 8. c., Dec. 22.-m re-
Spouse TO the toast 'Forefathers' Day at
the annual banquet Of the New England
society tonight, Francis r. Lassiter. repre-
sontative-elect OF Virginia, took occasion
/ to score the national administration and
advocated the election Of a southern man
/ for president In 1900 He said;
The strategy Of natlonalists. sO-Called, is
| the indirect enlargement OF federal powers
! No scheme OF taxation T. too reckless now
! that will pile up the unnecessary millions
! used in debaUChing the minimizing. who
! hope everything from an overlooking gov
| Crnment treasury.
We are not here TO devise details but