Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-11-15
BOOSTERS BANQUET A SUCCESS.
Address of Senator Lafayette Young
Conceded by All to be One of
the Best Ever Delivered
in DecOrah.

1t is the concensus of opinion
among all OF the over one hundred
business men of Decorah who parti-
cipated in the second annual ban
quet of the Decorah Commercial
Club at the Winneshiek Hotel last
Wednesday evening, that it was an
unqualified success in every particu-
lar, and one of the most enjoyable
events of similar nature ever given
in the city. The successful work of
the Commercial Club in the upbuild-
ing Of Decorah during the past
year, and the feeling among the
business men that much may be ac-
complished by unanimity of senti-
ment and energy, has elected the
support and cooperation of practic-
ally every business man of the city,
and they were all out last Wedues-
day night, embued with the spirit Of
the occasion, expecting to have a
good time, and none were disappoint-
ed.
From seven to eight o'clock, a re-
ception was held on the second
floor foyer Of the hotel, and then
as the beautiful strains of music
from the Decorah Choral Union Or
chestra Of twenty pieces were heard,
all marched to the dining room be-
low, where the tables had been ar
ranged and the room decorated In a
most attractive and pleasing man
ner. The splendid eight course din
ner served by Mr.. N. L. Bailey and
his assistants of the hotel was one
of the best In every sense that has
been offered since the hotel was
built, and that means that it was
nearly perfection, and during the
service the orchestra, directed by
Prof. Carlo A. Sperati of Luther Col
lege rendered program which in
cluded several difficult classical selec-
tions in such manner as to elicit
the highest praise from everyone.
Mr.. Il. j. Curtin presided as toast
master In his accustomed happy
style, and while the cigars were be-
ing lighted, introduced II. J. Green.
secretary ot tie COiaE..rvfai Club.
who gave q brief report of the work
of the club during the year, a record
which proved conclusively the bene-
fit of such an organization to a COM
Then came the annual address to
the club by Senator Lafayette Young,
editor of the Des Moines Capital. 1t
was both a revelation and a delight
to all, and he was given the closest
throughout. 1t was an ad-
dress such as person hears only
a few times in lifetime, and at It's
close there were remarks on all
sides such as: that's the best ad-
dress ever heard" there never
was a speech like that delivered In
Decorah BEFORE" etc. He talked for
two hours, and men and boys stood
1t all in the hotel lobby
with scarcely a movement. His sub
ject was The Needs and Opportuni-
ties of Iowa." and he handled It In
a mastery manner. Side-splitting
stories following so quickly upon eli
makes of eloquence and pathos. that
some were still laughing while others
were almost moved to tears. Rem
iniscences OF the pioneer days In
Iowa were contrasted with the pres
ent In style such as no other ora
tor employs, illustrating the tend
OF his thought so clearly and demon
strating his conclusions so explicitly
that no one could deny or suggest
improvement. His address was indi-
cative OF the bigness of the man, his
wide experience and travel, his sin
cereity Of purpose, and the breadth
of his character. 1t Is safe to say
that every person who heard 1t would
not miss hearing him again should
the opportunity be offered. for every
one was delighted. 1t was just such
an address as the occasion demand
ed, and will long be remembered by
everyone present.