The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1912-05-18
HOWARD HOlNORS
GEORGE ". COOK
Testimonial Banquet Largest
Function Ever Given.
FEATURES OF THE OCCASION.
Prominent Citizens, Statesmen and
Educators Pay Homage to Worth and
Work Of Man Who Has Won 'Distinc-
ton as Secretary Of Howarda Univer-
sity In Washington. 4

Work Of Man Who Has Won Distine-
ton as Secretary Of Howarda Univer-
sity In Washington.
Washington. = The testimonial BAN
quet in honor of Professor George Will
liam Cook held recently In Miner hall.
on the campus Of Howard university.
was the largest function Of It's kind
ever known in the District of Column
bia. Covers were laid for over 200
guests, and the dining hall was crowd
ed to its utmost capacity with appre-
ciative friends of the energetic secre-
tary of Howard university. represent
ing the best brain and culture Of the
Negro race in the world. Professor
Cook has been Identified with the in
stitution for thirty-nine years, and a
more fitting recognition Of his valuable
service, efficiency and the esteem In
which he is held by the people Of the
community could not be conceived.
Hon. William 81. Lewis, assistant at
torney general of the United States,
was POSTMASTER, and his speeches,
Astounding in rich witticisms and
flights of real eloquence by turns, justi-
fed the wisdom of the promoters in
selecting him for this arduous task.
Toasts that sparkled with humor and
carried information Of much value.
eulogizing in felicitous and sincere
fashion the central figure Of the occa-
sion, were responded to as follows:
Howard as She Was" Rev. Logan
Johnson; "Our Guest as a Citizen"
w. Justin Carter Of the bar of Harris
burg, Pa; Howard as She Is," Pro-
lessor Kelly Miller; "Our Guest as an
Educator" Professor Dwight o. W.
Holmes Of Baltimore.
To all of the many expressions Of
commentator Of his efforts to place
Howard in the front rank of educa-
tional centers and to exert his inf1u-
ence toward the advancement of civic
righteousness Professor Cook feeling
ly responded. taking for his theme
1.-THE Two Seals" relating the story Of
how the university came to have two
seals and describing the sublime spirit
Of human and national uplift for which
they stand. His outline of the work
that Howard has done since its forty
FIVE years of existence was intensely
interesting, and the larger portion of
the historical data presented at first
hand was new to many Of the guests.
His happy tributes to such eminent
founders Of Howard as General o. o.
Howard, John NJ. Langston, DR.. Rob-
ert Reyburn and others evoked hearty
applause.
Professor Cooks address is voted by
his admirers to have been the most
comprehensive study Of the university
yet given to the public. and it marks
the orators high water mark in loren
sic quality. At the close Of Professor
Cooks speech he was presented with
beautiful bouquet Of American Beau
ty roses, the gift Of the ladies of How
ard university. Just before he spoke
the audience was keyed up to the
spirit Of the hour by the rendition Of
song. "Howard-I Love Old Howard"
by the Howard academy quartet
Messrs Charles Howard. Charles W.
Preston. Gonzalo James and Lynwood
G. Roger.
Congressman N. e. kendalI's Address.
One Of the truly delightful treats of
the evening was the graceful and en-
couraging address of the Hon. N. q.
Kendall, member Of congress from the
Buxton district Of Iowa, who was
present as a special guest, coming at
the direct request Of his friend and
alumnus of Towards law department,
Mr.. G. 81. Woodson. now q practicing
attorney in the state of Iowa. Mr.
Kendall saw In this gathering a prom
Use Of great things for the Negro race
in the future He believes that color
prejudice is gradually disappearing as
the black man gives continued evil
dence of his ability to cope with the
best brain and Drawn Of America and
Is getting hold Of the elements that
make for higher civilization.
He said he would not have missed
distinct "eye opener to him, well &C
quainted as he Is with the colored
people In many sections Of the country.
1t was his final suggestion that the
young men and women who come to
Washington to secure advantages in .
education not obtainable elsewhere go
out into the west and south and carry
their cultivated talents to those Of their
people who stand In the greatest need
Of their Illuminating touch. Congress
man Kendall struck popular chord
and was cheered to the echo.
The closing feature of the program
was an original skit, Facts and Fig.
ments," by Messrs. Robert A. Pelham
and Shelby J. Davidson. assisted by
Mr.. Herbert D. Myers. who operated
the lantern and slides used to Illustrate
the points brought out by the humor
lists. Many familiar scenes with which
Professor Cook was connected In his
work at Howard university were
shown to a decided advantage. lnclud-
ing portraits Of the university workers.
The portraits of DR. w. P. Thirkield.
Hon J. C. Napier. DR.. W. G. Mcneil.
DR.. c. Sumner WormIey. DR.. W. A.
Warfeld. following those of General
Howard and Professor Cook, were Civ.
en- a hearty greeting.