The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-06-13
GOVERNOR HENDRIcKs's ADDRESS.


of the Hon. ID. w. Voorhees,, the governor
said:
GOVERNOR HENDRICKS ADDRESS.
Mr. PRESIDENT, MY FRIENDS AND FELLOW
CITIZENs-At the close ofthe contest oflast year
and at the close of my Official service as gov
ernor of the state found myself much worn
out in physical strength, and 1 thought L
would devote fully six months to rest and see
that so far had never seen, and so decided
TO make with my wife short trip to portions
of Europe. p
Upon my departure am overcome with this
demonstration of respect on the part of my
fellow citizens [applausel, and have no lam
guage at my command which shall enable me
my heart tonight. have never encountered
such demonstration as this. In my political
contests have had something with which to
contend, but this seems to be an expression of
confidence and respect, before which L know
OF nothing that / can do except to make my
bow. lApplause.l
and has addressed myself has referred to my
public life. He has spoken somewhat of the
success which has attended my efforts in life.
This evening in speaking to my friends'in
Shelby county expressed the sentiment that
has always governed me. When 1 went to
school-when was young man among the
young men of Shelbyvile-when 1 was
member in the legislature, very inexperi-
enced, indeed-when in the constitutional
this ground-as a member of congress,
in either branch - and finally as
govern OF the state, my rule was
TO DO THE BEST COULD.
TApplausel And If any success has attended
my efforts in life attribute II to the observ-
ance of that rule-whatever had to do, to do
it as well as could. And return my thanks
to the eloquent gentleman for the assurance
he has given me that any efforts may have
made in public life are somewhat appreciated
by the people of Indiana; and as make my
journey, as turn my back Tor short time
npon my home and fellow citizens and expect
to look upon the institutions that govern
other people than those with whom have al
ways been associated, it is a pleasing reflection
that leave behind me the good feeling of the
men who know me. Applause. And, indeed.
man stands upon the summit of the hill
OF life, and looks behind and downward some
what, there is not much else to contemplate
with pleasure. He can not carry much of the
goods of this world with him; but as
he goes onward and onward toward the
close of life the richest thing that he
can carry with him and down to
the very verge of the grave is the respect and
esteem of his fellow citizens. Applause And
the assurance that to same e1tentI enjoy that
among the people ofIndiana is the richest gem
that esteem est in LIFE lYehemep bss applause r
somewhat into the political strifes in Indiana
and they have been no ordinary strtfes that
lines have been closely and tightly drawn,
and the contests have been very earnest, very
positive, very determined on both sides; the
tendency has been to make the men OF the
respective parties very bitter towards those of
the other side. L have experienced that some
what-not very much think-and why is it?
have never in the political contests
into which have been thrown carried along
with me personal prejudice, bitterness
toward the men of the other SIDE Applause
conceded it to any gentleman who occupied
different position from myself politically the
absolute right to occupy that position ito have
claim d it for myself, and only one senui-
ment has governed me, and that was, believ-
ing that the side occ lpied was right, advo-
principles of honor and right. Vehement
applause.] The presiding officer of this occa-
sion has referred TO the fact that If the vote OF
the people had been regarded would occupy
the position to which was nominated last
year. IApplause.I Ofthat 1 have no more
doubt than that Governor Williams was elect
ed governor of Indiana. [Applausel But at the
same time justice requires me to say that
IL the decision had been left to the great body
OF the people of both parties, the decision Of
the ballot-box truly made would not have
been reversed and DEFEATED apP9lsuse,
thousands of gentlemen who did not and
would not vote for me-who did not and
would not vote for GSvernSr Tiidenaa subject
has been given to American Institutions.
[Great applause.1 And would not refer to it
in any parfizan Split except 70 say tnssIhat
the United States by the voice and judgmen
of the American people
MUST BE INAUGURATED-
[wil applause.l There is no circumstance
connected with this meeting more gratifying
to me and you, permitting me TO say 1t, than
the fact that very large delegation has come
They have known me longer than the people
of Indianapolis have. They knew me a good
many years ago as boy among them.
with whatever OF ambition I may have
had then. Then they reposed conf
dence in me and made me one of the law
makers In the state; and then again. my
friend says, they made me a member of the
constitutional convention OF the state, and
make me a member Of congress- Why, may
say that whatever of success / may
I owe to that county, and nothing win ever
make me forget 1t. / can not forget IT, and al
though, my fellow citizens of Indianapolis
and OF other counties who may be here, for
you have great respect because you are