Evening star., 1914-03-04

the president or the society, Henry Can
nett. who had been kept from the BAN
quet by illness. Addresses were made
by the German ambassador. Count Won
Bernstorff; the French ambassador, ]. ].
1usSerand, and Representative Mann OF
Illinois. The latter aroused the enthu-
siasm of those present when he said he
hoped that the public would soon be
speaking Of Col. Goethals as MAJ. Gen.
Goethals.
Hold Informal Reception.
At the conclusion of the speechnlaking
Col. and Mrs. Goethals, at the suggestion
Of Secretary Bryan, held an informal re-
ception. President Wilson and his party
having found it necessary to retire from
the banquet room upon the conclusion Of
the presentation and acceptance speeches
The principal decoration was the legend
fc-Goethals-Pacifc in enormous
electric lights above the speakers table
and during the dinner a miniature dredge
and a miniature battleship were carried
through the room by walters. Cakes were
served from miniature sand and earth
dump carts.
The medal presented to Col Goethals
bore the following inscription: This
special medal of the National Geoeraphic
Society is awarded to George Washing
triotfsm the world owes the construction
Of the Panama Canal. March 3. 1914"
Presidents Presentation.
Presenting the medal. President Wilson
said:
Mr.. Toastmaster. ladies' and gentle
men. am now SO unaccustomed to public
speaking that it was with genuine hesita-
tion on my own account that accepted
the invitation of this evening But I ac-
cepted II as matter of course when
the Ereat compliment was paid me Of ex-
tending II to me. because 1t seemed to
me that 1t was not only a personal privi-
lege which was offered, but a duty in
cumbent upon me as a representative of
the government Of the United States. 1t
seemed to me that. speaking for that
$uished society in whose name I now
present this medal. It was my duty, as
II was my privilege. to be here.
Il am here to do what I suppose is an
unusual thing for society of this sort
II generally confers It's honors upon those
who have disclosed geography rather
than upon those who have altered It. 1t
is sa sortof advertiser and custodian of
gentleman who has had the audacity
TO change the globe.
Creative Profession.
The engineering profession is one of
the few creative professions. Those Of US
who have attempted to be literary men
conceive that We have created concep-
tions OF the mind but we never can pro-
duce them in court. They are never vis-
IDLY upon exhibition.
But the magic of the engineer is that
ne can change the face of nature and
show the work of his hands. and that 1t
is in some deep sense operative in char
acter. The life of mankind on the globe
is altered. for example. by the cutting
and the use Of the Panama canal.
It nils the imagination to think OF
what this work will accomplish. 1t will
create new neighbors. 1t will generate
new friendships. 1t will make a new at
mosphere Of rivalry and Of generous as
ISOLATION The whole tendency Of the
routes Of trade will be changed. and the
routes Of trade are the routes Of en-.
ughtenment. Only when neighbors touch
one another do they cease to be pro-
vincial and look out upon the great tasks
OF humanity instead of confining them
selves to the relatively selfish tasks of
Sneir own domestic development and II
ls only as we export and import ideas
that civilization becomes thoroughly es-
tablished.
Tribute to Goethals.
We have. therefore. to honor tonight
the greatest living representative of this
extraordinary profession. 1t seems to me
TO be natural, IL may say so with apol-
ogies to some of our friends present. that
the greatest engineer should como from
the United States The United States has
made the world very uncomfortable. but
1t has at least done so by the exercise Of
extraordinary dynamic qualities II is
not one of the statical nations of the
world. 1t is one of the nations which have
disturbed equilibrium, which have cut new
paths for the thought and action of
mankind. And now there is to be ele-
waited, and kept always on high, this new
name upon which men are to enter the
roads OF new experience--a name which
vtD not be blotted out until and unless
the whole civilization OF the world should
change-the name of Col GoethaIs. The
government Of the United States lent him
TO the world. and he has done this thine
Ior the world For it is our proud boast
that we have cut this highway for ali he
seagoins ships Of the world
His Praise for Others.
II take II for granted that we do NOT
forget that distinguished group Of men
who gave his very life to see that the
thals, that gallant and devoted soldier.
who have his very life to see that the
great work was done at Culebra cut;
that man who made SO much Of this work
possible, Surgeon General Gorgas. by
knowing how to hold disease OF at arms
length while these men were given leave
te work; Col Sibert. who built the walls