The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-24
Senator Harrison,s welcome.

In formally welcoming the representatives of
she order to the city, Senator Harrison said:
Ladies and Continent have been requested
by some of the resident members of the Delta
Tau Delta fraternity TO say a few words ut the
opening of this, their only public meeting. l
feel that there is something of an incOngruity in
my extending welcome TO you, insomuch as l
have not contributed in any way to Your com
fort and ENJOYMENT while here, and probably
shall not Tonight. And yet |, as the Spokesman
of the resident members of your order and of The
good people of Indianapolis express our inter-
est In you and our pleasure IN the fact tnat you
have chosen our city for your convention. And
It occurs to me that every good citizen not only
of indianapolis, but of the whole country should
have some interest in meeting OF the intelligent
young men Of the land They must have some
interest IN the relation of these young men to
the destiny yet unwrtten OF our people and our
government. 1 may say that / am here
representative of Greek letter society. In
my college days 1 had the pleasure
not the Delta Tau Delta, and while the initials
by which we are represented are different, yet
the objects of all these orders not dissimilar.
You are doubtless aware that there are many
good people who think that the influence of
Greek societies on young men and college life
Is not good L think L can testify to the fact,
anu | am sure you can, that there is nothing
dangerous to the public peace, nor is there any
thing that threatens to hurt the colleges in these
associations. Those mysterious letters and aw-
full secrets have no explosive force Whatever,
ILaughter.l There ia neither nitro-glycerlne nor
pressed the belief THAT Greek fraterntles have
the effect of narrowing the minds OF young
men, OF drawing the lines closer about cOmDan-
fonsbip. While this may he true in a technical
sense, yet feel sure that Go not address
ciety man here tonight who docs not recognize
and appreciate the cOmradeship of toll, of intel
lectual strength and OF genius, Those special
relations not intended to cirenmserihe
your relations with society generally. The
true soldiers in the intellectual strife
those who entitled to proudly
carry the shining banner of victory, are those
who will recognize genius and mensal prowess
wherever they exist, no matter whether they
wear upon their breasts the special emblem of
his society not. know that You have found
in your fraternites stimulus and healthy
tons TO yourself, hut reputation and honor to
yOur society. may say to you that have seen
nothing in these orders which, il rightly used,
might not be stimulus to young men for u
higher life. am glad to welcome you to Ind-
annapolis. and know that ii vonr stay could be
more extended yOu would find that our peOele
here would be equally glad to welcome and en-
courage you, VINO can tell what Is before you2
Who can do more than guess at the possibilities
OF the futuref | cannot doubt that among the
young men before me there are those who will in
after years grace the highest professions and
that there is a power here that may lift you to
the highest plane or true success. | cannot
doubt that there are those here who will Illus
trate the the, genius OF America A in every
We have not yet found it necessary
TO send any of Them to Siberia. In the despotlsm
th oughts of intelligent young men. that in
consistent with despOtism, Will have place ana
BIRTH But here, III the land of freedom and
equality, we Tnnst look TO you, young men, for
security ana the permanence and continuance
of our government, Therefore, member of
another. fraternity, and as "a citizen of Indianap-
oils and OF this great country, of which are
all part again bid you welcome and I hone
that your stay here may be made both pleasant
and profitable. ami that the recollection of it
may abide with you all the days of your life"
On behalf of the fraternity at large, Professor
John M. Boss. of Muncie, responded briefly and
appropriately.