The Detroit times., 1915-01-08

In reminiscent mood. Joseph c.. Can
non, former speaker of the house o
representatives, and Republican wal
horse, discussed the progress OF the
country, In an after-dinner speech, be
fore the members OF the Detroit Rea
Estate board. at its annual banquet
in the convention hall OF the Hote
Pontchartrain, Thursday evening
Erect, hale and strong.voiced despite
his nearly four score years, Mr.. Can
non sketched the history OF the coun
try, much OF which has taken place
with his life time. to the present day
,"Uncle Joe" disclaimed intention oi
making partisan speech and much
OF his talk was in a reminiscent and
fatherly vein, In marked contrast tC
the fiery utterances for which he il
famous. He could not. however, re
sist the temptation TO launch few
aGroit thrusts at the Wilson admins
iT.tion and the Democracy is general
His apology was characteristics: Good
Cod how can man talk for an hour
on the country's progress without
mentioning the arty of Iincoln?"
The most partisan OF Uncle Joe's'
remarks WAS introduced By refer
tho platform OF "5i.40 or fight"
mo sooner was he elected than pre-
election pledges were forgotten. and
the United States became signatory
TO a treaty which gave up that terri
tory which would have united this
country 10 Alaska" said the speaker.
Gentlemen. our history repeats itself
II you want TO see how prediction
promises become straw. now as then,
read the proceedings OF the recent ses-
slons OF congress"
Mr.. Cannon's speech showed a mas
terly grasp OF American history Be
ginning with the days OF the early set
Elements at jamestown, Massachu-
sets Bay and Baltimore. he traced
the gradual rise OF the colonies, the
revolution and the expansion OF the
new nation westward. He cited the
criticisms passed upon the young ma
ton by those who looked only upon
Its lack Of contribution TO the world
OF art. science and letters, forgetting
that the energies OF It's people were
consumed in a struggle for existence,
and ccntrasted its barrenness In such
achievements with the present illus
trious list OF American scientists, ply.
sicians and men OF letters.
He reviewed George Rogers Clark S
march 10 Vincennes and the acquisi-
ton OF the great northwest territory.
He told of his youth in the days when
he came to Chicago, then little more
than a frontier village. Then follow
ed a comparison OF the Chicago OF
that day with the Chicago OF the pres
ent. and a review OF the unprecedent-
ed growth OF the nation since the days
when Joe Cannon, as small boy,
heard ridicule heaped upon the heads
of the congressman who voted for the
appropriation which made possible
sending OF news by lightning" over
the Morse telegraph.
A note OF sadness crept into Uncle
Joe's" voice as he spoke OF the future
and OF the rapid passing away OF the
generations.
But" he declared, the men who
will take the places OF the builders
OF this republic are even now in our
public schools Thank God I'm not a
pessimist"
\ The banquet, last night. although
+, purely a social and bipartisan affair
presented almost the aspect OF q Re
publican renaissance. Former Con
gressmen Edwin DENLY, whom Cannon
referred TO as my future colleague,
introduced the speaker OF the even
ing. and those at the speakers table
included Fred Nj. Alger. Truman II
Newberry and Charles n. Warren.
In the afternoon an informal recep
ton 10 Mr.. Cannon was held In the
green room. Retiring President Wal.
ter C. Piper and the incoming presi
dert, Edward G. Van Husen, were a
committee TO introduce the members
IN their DISTINGUISHED guests