Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-28
Peace Society Gives Banquet in Honor
of Former Secretary Of State.
DISTINGUISHED MEN SPEAK
Addresses Are Made by President
Elect TAFT. ambassadors Bryce,
Takshira, NRbuco and
Governor Hughes.

NONtTuOT 1ndIAtb IA AlubHtbt AikhA nun
James Bryce. the British ambassador:
Baron Kogoro Takahira, ambassador from
Japan. and Joaquin Nabuco, Brazilian am
bassador. were the speakers and the guests
numbered about 500 Among these 500 we're
many prominent citizens OF New York rep
r~esentatives Of all the arts, professions and
industries.
The speechmaklng did not begin until a
late hour. the menu and program card
showing the speakers in the following
order:
Senator Elihu Root, Ambassador Bryce,
Ambassador Tskshirs. Ambassador Ma
buco. Governor Charles E.. Hughes and
P~resident-eleot Taft.
Address of Mr.. Root.
There was a remarkable demonstration
when Mr. Root made his way to the speak
ing pulpit.
Mr.. Root dwelt upon the causes that led
to war and said:
II agree with Mr.. Choate that there Is
no inconsistency between the work OF a
secretary OF war and the work of a sec
rotary Of peace. because so long as SELFISH
ness and greed and a willingness to do
injustice continue In this world we must
have a policeman, and the international
policeman whose presence makes the use
OF his club unnecessary is the army and
the navy.
'It rests with the army and navy to
make aggression and Injustice Improbable
and unattractive.
war comes today as the result either
Of actual or threatened wrong OF one
country to another, or as the result OF a
suspicion by one country that another in
tends to do wrong. The least of these three
cases OF war is actual injustice.
I'm this country of ours, we are far
from free from being guilty of all those
great causes OF war. The gentlemen who
introduced into the legislature of Cali
fornia. Montana and Nevada the legisla-
ton regarding the treatment OF the Japan
csc in those states, doubtless had no con-
ception OF the fact that they were doing
to that great nation Of gentlemen, OF
| soldiers. of scholars and scientific men. of
statesmen, a nation worthy of challenging
and receiving the respect. the honor and
homage of mankind, an injury by an insult
that would bring on a private war in any
private relation In our own country.
Thank Heaven, the wiser heads and the
sounder hearts, instructed and enlightened
upon the true nature of the proceeding,
prevailed and overcsme the inconsiderate
and thoughtless.'
Perhaps no secretary Of state, said Mr..
| Byce had done so much to bring about peace
and amity on this continent and between
the United States and other powers Apart
from his admirable work in South America
ana in and for Central America he had
| negotiated and signed twenty-four arbitra-
ton treaties with various countries, includ-
ing all. or nearly all, the chief states OF
! the world. With Great Britain six treaties
had been signed and by them nearly every
question that had arisen or was likely to
arise between Canada and the United
States had been provided for.
president Roosevelt and Mr.. Root Will
long be as statesmen who have
deserved well indeed of the sacred cause
Of peace. 1t must be pleasant to them
to reflect tina In the very end Of the adj
ministration the fleet has returned safe
10 these shores having been everywhere
received with demonstrations of friendr
ship and good will"
ovation for President-EIect.
1t was almost midnight when Toastmaster
Choate presented "President-elect Taft to
put the finishing touches to this splendid
tribute to our distinguished senator-elect,
as he put 1t.
Everyone in the room arose and with a
waving OF handkerchiefs and cheering
greeted Mr.. Taft as he took the speakers
platform.
The first thing that l want to say" in
an apologize tone, began Mr.. Taft. lis that
Elihu Root ought to be presldent-elect and
I a prospective member OF the cabinet be-
cause know how to serve under him.
There are one or two things l want to
say about EIihu Root. that l know because
/ have served under him, and / have served
with him, ana the pleasure OF that assoeia-
ton / cannot overstate. II there is a man
with a profounder knowledge Of the law
with a clearer understanding OF human
nature and OF human justice and with a
greater power of putting himself In the
position OF the man whom he has 20 advise
as to his proper course than Elihu Root
don't know him. The pleasure. the honor
Of having served the country in association
with Elhu Root and Theodore Roosevelt
will continue to be the greatest honor !
have ever enjoyed.
1T fell 10 my lot TO be invited into a far
distant country. where, II l had not gone
] should not be here. AT least that is th'
way 1t fell out. and ! owe the fact that
went there to the clear. lucid. foreible state
ment and advice Of the guest Of the even
ing. Following that advice. as ] say
have the pleasure OF being here and testify
ing TO his craftsmanship and what ] wan
also 10 testify to. because l do not care
whether this or what society II is. people
) like men with good red blood in them and
in that respect that is one OF the qualities
Of this statesman.
Il congratulate the people Of the state o.
New York that they have such a nobl'
senator and a man with whom they cal
we'll compare all the great men who hav'
represented them in the senate OF I'M
limited STATES"