The Washington herald., 1908-04-25

Probably the most unique feature Of
the annual banquet of the alumni of
George Washington University at Rausch-
ers last night were the invitations. The
fact that they gave a description Of the
proceedings made them valuable adjuncts.
Short, witty, inspiring, and just what
you want to hear" was the description
OF the speeches. 1t is not known how il
was possible 10 obtain such accurate in
formation. but the speeches ntted the
description to the letter
After disposing of the various courses
on an elaborate menu, Percy Foster led
in singing America" !"
E. c. Brandenburg, president Of the
alumni. with an artistic wave OF the arm,
known only TO toastmasters. brought the
merry makers to order. lie said;
Overlooked the ButtermiIk.
"As our entertainment committee,
though they provided every other neces-
sity, have overlooked the buttermilk,
propose that we drink TO the health Of
one Of the most able men in our land,
and one who would make a worthy Sue
cessor to our present Chief Executive.
Gentlemen, drink 10 our honored guest,
Vice President Fairbanks"
The toast was heartily responded to.
followed by a series Of cheers that
brought a look Of pleasure 70 the face
Of the Vice President.
Mr.. Fairbanks said:
Il find it a hard matter TO express my
appreciation OF the invitation extended
me TO attend this gathering. 1 fstter
myself that I know something Of uni
versities. I think ] know something OF
George Washington University, and am
sure / ike the institution.
Il like George Washington University
because of its president docking toward
Or. Charles w. Needhaml. He is an
Illustration of the right man being in
the right place. Il is rarely the case that
a university is better than the man al its
head. II is not so in this case
Il Ike the university because OF its
name II was happy selection. We all
know OF the interest George Washington
took in this city, and how anxious he
was that great university be estas-
lished here. 1t is particularly appropriate
that a great university should be estab-
lished Ia the greatest Capital Of the
greatest nation on earth.
Laws aIust BE Made Here.
1T is here that the laws must be made
It is most essential that a great university
| be established here. because il is here
that the great Libraries viii be erected.
X is here that the famous galleries OF
art will be found. II is here that the
/ finest scientific apparatus IN the world
ha f.f,f Ea -f4
will have advantages Of which no other
institute Of its knid can boast Great
| facilities will be provided by the ma
I tional government.
George Washington University may be
| compared TO a brilliant young lawyer
| knew in the West He was pointed out
as the most able man in the profession in
| his town. The man who paid the com
| pliment to the young fellow. was asked
| how he could prove it. he answered it
was not necessary to prove it that the
young man would acknowledge 1t. / think
the Georgetown Washington University
may be substituted for the young lawyer.
/ No proof is necessary 10 show the abil-
/ ity Of It's faculty or the scope Of its
| teachings
I have Just come from the Capitol,
/ and, by the way, when We compare
! George Washington with the Senate, we
/ appreciate the insignifcanCe OF the latter
and the magnificenee Of the former
We have been discussing the question
OF national defense. The Senate is en-
gagged in solving one way Of national de-
( fense. and the university is engaged with
another l am certain the defense Of this
nation In years to come will depend on
! the colleges and universities If we do not
! find defense in these places Of learning
| civilization is a failure.
Il like the university. because it drives
pessimlsm out Of the heart and fills the
soul with optimism.
I arose. gentlemen, with the thought
only OF expressing my appreciation OF
your kind hospitality and my regret al
not being a member Of the alumni.
/ thank you for your kind attention
When the cheering ceased, Mr.. Bran
denburg introduced a motion that the
Vice President De made an honorary
member of the body. It was carried
unanimously by rising vote.
Speech by Mr.. Bede.
Representative J. Adam Bede Of Min
nesota, was introduced. He said, in part.
when I became acquainted with our
Vice President and found him so genial
a fellow, I thought it peculiar that the
newspapers spoke 50 meanly Of him. That
reminds rae.
'I have Travelled around a little, and
consider myself a fair judge Of men with
| a smile). I venture to say that never
before has so able a man presided over
the Senate as our Vice President (cheers)
cannot say anything as complimentary
about the body over which he is head
You know, it has been a custom for many
years. for the citizens OF Washington to
believe that a Senator had gone wrong
when they saw the flag at half mast.
Il see q gentleman from Maryland
laughing at me. He Is on the eligible list
| for Congress That is no honor, for YOU
know they pass a civil service examina-
| tiOn now TO get a seat in the House.
1T has been said there is something
wrong in our Capital City; something
wrong with the government. This is not
true Whatever may be wrong is wrong
in the States which send men here tc
make laws.
We have been progressing since I was
born. With the progress a number OF lit
| tie evils have cFppf IN Fifty vears a Or