Connecticut western news., 1909-02-18

The second annual Canaan business men's banquet was held in ''The Can field" on Friday evening of last week. S4 of the 100 people who purchased tickets being present. The general opinion seems to be that, in every particular, 1t surpassed tine banquet held last year. Landlord Baker served anotker of those famous repaSts The menu was par excellence. the service was first class, and complimentary words were heard on all sides.
 The occasion falling on Lincoln s birthday, the dining room was decorated with flags and bunting. LincolH's pie ture surrounded by red, white and blue lights, and draped with the flag referred to later, in the speech of K. s. RoSerts, occupied prominent place on the wall. The arrangement was the conception of A. V. A. Felten. Carnation bOuton- nieres were at each plate, together with 8 ue, menu card, and a bO lquet Of ear n tons served as ceEterpiece fov each { ble.
 Beeman and HatchS' orchestra of liar ford furnished the music.
 The speakers were Daniel l.. Peiree, Rev. J. P. Smyth and J. Henry Rora- back of Canaan, E. s. Roberts and Rev CIV. Hanna of East Canaan. Regrets were sent by Rev. E. O. Gillette of Ca naan and Rev. Father Ramon of Lake vile, both of whom expected to be pres ent and speak. MT. Gillette's absence being caused by illness.
 A. V. A. Felten acted as toastmaster, and discharged the duties thereof like a veteran. 1s.,ha., 5-
 Rev J. P. Smyth invoked the Divine blessing preceding the repast.
 Before introducing the first speaker, Toastmaster Felten, after relating sev- eral humorous stories that were we'll re- ceiyed, said:
 ''We are not strangers; we are neigh bors and friends who have gathered to- gether to enjoy & few hours of each oth- CTS company, and to partake of one of those most excellent repasts for which MT. Baker has made himself and thls hotel famous.
 "I believe there Is no better way to spread the germ of good-fellowship than in a social gathering of this kind, for surely association breeds assimilation and with cooperation goes success.
 "The committee of arrangements very fittingly chose the Tooth anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln as the date for this feast. and appropriate ref >erences to that great and good man will be made here this evening""
 MT. Felten then paid this eloquent tribute to Lincoln:
 ''Lincoln, who was born in poverty and of lowly parentage who i'll early life endured many hardships and priva tions; who thirsted for education who was compelled to meet and surmount all sorts of obstacles in order to obtain that precious learning who adopted tine occupation of boat-hand, rail-spIittel and other lowIy callings in order that he might build an enduring foundation fol a useful and happy life.
 "As an example of a self made man Abraham Lincoln was without a peer ir his time, or even to the present day. On him fell the task of guiding the Ship oi State on the most tempestuous voyage il Its history. The result of that under taking Is we'll known to every person here tonight. To Abraham Lincoln must be given the credit for the preser vation of the Union, securing freedom for the slaves, and passing on to us the precious heritage of united pation-nC North, no South, but one vast country.
 "His name is so indellbly written upoI the pages of fame that it will not bt within the power of the ravages of time to erase it. So long as the Union shal endure will the memory of this great man be honored for the valiant service he performed for humanity.
 "Gentlemen I esteem 1t an honor tc have been permitted to say these few words in praise of our martyred Presi dent. that typical American, Abraham Lincoln .''