The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

National politics. the peace bond be-
tween the United States and Japan. leg
islative and ethical needs of the nation
and many other topics of public interest
were given a hearing between college
yells and songs AT the fourth annual ban
daet OF the University Club of Washing
ton last night at the Raleigh Hotel
Surrounded by the flags and pennants
Of half-hundred universities and col
leees, fully $50 members OF the club and
their guests sat about the fiower-declxed
tables. and sang the old songsSof their
student days and the latest ditties of to-
day. between eloquent speeches by na-
tional leaders in nearly every walk Of
life.
That the list OF speakers should IN
clude two ambassadors from great na-
tions. Presidential candidate, justice
Of the Supreme Court Of the land gem
erals in the army, prominent Representa-
lives in Congress. a clergyman Of dis
tinctlon. and a noted author. is sufficient
in itself 10 prove that more than ordi-
nary interest would be taken in what was
10 be said.
Tribute 10 Taft.
There was the tribute to Secretary Taft,
toastmaster Of the occasion. paid by JUS
tice Brewer. who appeared for the first
time in public as ''for Taft" in the Presi-
Dental race.
There was the sudden appearance
late In the evening of a little. brown
faced man, decorated with imperial hon
ors, cheered at his entrance. and cheered
again as he thanked the assemblage for
the reception given him. It was Ambas-
sador Takahira. He expressed the good
wishes and friendly sentiment Of the
Island Kingdom from which ne comes as
ambassador
There was the response by the genial
Mr.. Taft in reiteration of his belief that
all talk OF war with Japan is folly and
worse.
There was strong appeal to the return
to the simple democratic faith OF Wash
ington and jefferson by President Alder
man OF the University of Virginia.
There were speeches on peace. and
speeches on the preparation for war;
speeches on college athletics and spirit
and speeches just for the sake OF
speeches, these last being impromptu. not
called for by the toastmaster. and dellv-
cred. for the. most part, out of sheer good
nature and the desire to impart TO fellow
members sudden ideas that would stay
put.
Old College Days.
And through all the spirit of the good
old college days" found earnest. If some
what inharmonious expression. in part
singing" of familiar ballads, in the "rah.
rah. rah'' Of Teminiscence. and in the good
fellowship that exists whenever a crowd
OF college men get together, whether in
a banquet hall. IN the card room Of a
transatlantic liner, or the traderoom of
some sun-scorched hut on fever ridden
African coast
The banquet hall was a riotous mass
OF color Behind the center of the guest
table hung the shield of the United States
draped with flags, and with the special
flag Of the Secretary Of War flying above
il. To the right of the shield and behind
the Secretary was a huge Yale banner.
and on the other side a large Virginia
flag of blue and yellow.
Princeton, Harvard. Pennsylvania.
Georgetown. George Washington and
practically all the universities and col
leges in the country were represented bv
flags and pennants. Complimentary 10 the
dean of the diplomatic corps, a brilliant
flag Of Italy was suspended across the
musicians gallery
The ends of the hail were decorated
with great American flags. Large cIus-
ters Of daffodils and roses garnished the
guest table, and vases of carnations deco
rated the tables of the main body OF
diners
There was no mistaking the gathering
from the moment the first group got
together in the anteroom before the ban
quet room doors were opened. With
heads close together. knots of the voung-
er members of the club started at once
upon the "close harmony" renditions OF
the latest popular songs.
The singing continued with scarceIv an
intermission throughout the evening nv
cept during the speeches. George o'Con-
nor, noted locally for his coon song
ability, was called upon again and again
IRON groups in various parts of the hall
and the entire assemblage, apparently
Joined in the chorus Of mostof the songs
The usual book OF words was provided
Taft Gets an Ovation.
The musical commotion was al its height
when the President Of the club. Charles
d. Walcott raped for order. and intro
duced the POSTMASTER Mr.. Taft AS the
two exchanged places, the assembled col
lego men. old and young. rose 10 their
feet. and gave the beaming Secretary Of
War an ovation that lasted half a min
ute. Cheer upon cheer. and waving OF
napkins greeted the Secretary. A loud
electric ''buzzer' had been rugged for
use, instead of gavel. and Air. Taft
put his finger on the button and held
1t there until the noise subsided. He still
had TO wait for the "ehoristers" to sing
a parody on "Tammany." the catch line
of which was Taft for me-"
M Taft complimentcd the club on the
increased enthusiasm that has been shown
at each successive banquet lie paid a
tribute TO university men. saying:
1 cant help thinking as I look about
me- that II / wanted TO find a body of
young men who are IN the spirit of doing