The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-13
More than Five Hundred Guests Sit Down
to a Feast of Reason and Flow of
Soul at Lyra Hall.
Compliment of the indianapolis Mem
bers to Northeastern Associates.
Address of President Cook, Rev. Oscar C.
McCulIoch, :Messrs Van Arsdel, Mum
son, O'Boyle, Dean and Others.

citation of Indiana opened last evening with q
grand banquet in Lyra Hall, place which
proved to he both oommodious and pleasant for
such an occasion. The banquet was provided by
the Indianapolis members of tine association as
a welcome TO their nonresident brethren, and
also as a reciprocal compliment to the merchants
of South Meridian street, who gave the substan-
tlal entertainment OF last year. The dinner vas
furnished by N. g. G.. Dinner, and superintended
by Mr.. I. X. Taggart, of the Union Depot dining
rooms. The supply and service or the table were
such as to call forth praise from all the guests.
Over 500 persons sat at the tables. The COM
pany was one worthy of remark for its brilliance
and beauty, nearly all the members being &C.
companied by their wives and lady friends. AZ
ter the menu was finished came a well-seasoned
course Of wit and wisdom, which served in
the following order;
REMARKS OF MR.. COOK.
President T. j. Cook, who is about to close his
second term of office, opened an address of well
come, in these words:
Ladies and Gentlemen-To me has been as
signed the very pleasant task OF bidding you
all a most cordial welcome to our city and to
this annual banquet. On behalf OF the mem
bers of the Commercial Travellers Association
of Indiana who reside in Indianapolis extend
to you sincere and hearty welcome here to-
night. We hope your meeting with us at this
time will prove as pleasant to you as 1t is graft
flying to us, and we sincerely trust that our So
cial commlngling together this evening will re-
dound to our mutual good cheer, happiness and
encouragement. We are especially delighted to
see so large a number present, and to look into
so many familiar faces-faces of the true and
tried" stamped with that hxedness of pur-
pose that looks ont over the work and
duties of another opening year unflinchtngy.
While reviewing reminiscence of rraUernal rela-
tinns with old friends, we will not forget to
tend most hearty greetings to new ones or fail to
endeavOr in our future associations together to
irYN- Ia 81, form nf 10 fnnfh hot
lone of the most beautiful cOmpensatiOns Of
this life is that no one can sincerely try to help
another without at ,rt the same time help
which we assemble this evening
indeed most favorable. Usulay at this time of
the year the stern grasp of business becomes
relaxed and as we close accounts with the old
year we can perhaps more leasurly than at any
other time open our ledger for the new
and welcoming grasp of hand and
pledge anew our fidelity to each other in fra
ternal hearts, we should not forget that the
most substantial reason we have for happiness
AMI rejoicing is that bountful and overruing
Providence has especially blessed and favored
US. higher degree OF general prosperity than
has fallen 10 the lot of any other people or ma
ton earth surrounds us. No State
in the Union enjoys wider share or more liberal
proportion of this prosperity than Indiana. AS
citizens of this great and growing State whose
resources are yet unsOunded, we should take
the broadcast interest In all that concerns her de-
velopment her opening treasures, her CONNER
cial wealth, and her solid aud enduring pros
perity. Our annual meeting furnishes an oc-
casion and affords an opportunity for
commercial travellers and representatives from
all over the State to compare notes and to form
a correct ana adequate estimate of the real
wealth and substantial prosperity OF our State,
as well as time for enjoyable association and
pleasurable reunion. The members of this
citation doubt get deeper and more thor
ough insight into the true financial condition of
our State than do any other class of citizens, be-
cause their knowledge comes from actual obser-
walton. BY and through these meetings mutual
respect and mutual interests are begotteD and
promoted, A helpful fellowship is established
and the bonds of an interested brotherhood c.
mented laudable pride in attain
ing greater excellence in business
qualifications is stimulated, and a
dignity which creates confidence and influence
is given us both individuals and frater-
nifty. To us fraternity or as individuals the
influence or the confidence which does not de-
pend for power and permanence upon unm-
peachable integrity, fair dealing, unsullled man
hood and untarnished honor, of but little
value. Influence, confidence and responsibility
built upon other foundations than those are only
cheats and decisions, and always die suddenly
when they vainly hope to win. To our whole
presence tonight, we would say that your inter-
ests and those OF the travelling salesman are
mutual. Upon the activity and industry
work into all the avenues of retail trade
depend in very great measure those ultimate
demands which decrease Wholesale stock and
turn back into your hands honest gains. Ger
tainly i'll union there is strength, and only by a
union of interests can VIC and you throw around
ourselves @ safeguard III business UuaC Will lu-
sure social, industrial and financial success To
the ladies who have graced this occasion with
their presence, we say with sevenfold heartlness
we bid you welcome. Where there is confidence.
fidelity, purity, endurance and conscience, there
is woman. III we are sOverejgns, you are our
peers-you are our staunchest friends and our
safest cOunselOrs. Refined womanhOOd has
redeemed and purified art and literature, and
frightened and adorned every walk of life and
is the legitimate pioneer in higher civilization.
Friends, once again bid YOU one and all,
thrice generous welcome.
The first toast, "The Commercial Travellers"
was responded to by the Rev. Oscar c. McCu-
loch, of Plymouth Church. Mr. McColloch said
REV. O. c. M'cULLocH.
Mr.. President, Ladies' and Gentlemen-I am
reminded of a horse which once belonged to a
fire department. After many years of faithful
service he was sold to mllkman. All went well
until the fire-alarm sounded. Then the old in
stincts asserted themselves. Forgetting the
peaceful tenor of his daily life he started the
run, hurting the wagon from side to the
other. At last he stands in his old-time place.
So night respond to this call-"The Com
mercial Traveller" 1t is my old life. Peaceful
my present pursuits, once carried sam
pie-case. l have travelled from Lake superior to
Texas. have been where
"Rolls the Oregon and hears no sound
Save his own dashings,"
and where you might hear
"The VOLTS lone howl
On Onalaska's shore"
Just here wish to say by way Of parenthesls,
that this dropping into poetry is a survival of
the old habit of Quoting" and that you cannot
rely on the scientific accuracy of Oregon and
Oonalaska. Their use is due to that exuberant
imagination which is so necessary to every sue
cessful salesman.
have ridden over The hog-walows west of
Dallas and slept on buffalo-robes when the Pa
clfic railroad was a building. Like the white
plume of Navarro, my white stiff hat cleaned
along the Minnesota river and on the head
waters of the Mississippi.
Like yourselves, have met the policeman of
that city which requires a license. | remember
the occasion 1t was in Virginia City, Nevada.
year. At last policeman laid his hand on me
and asked: care you selling goods2" eyes"
"Have you hcensel' 81 did not know
that any was required" "You'l have
to come before the justice." We went, but could
not find him AT last he was discovered in bar
ber's shop, in the chair. The policeman stated
the case. pleaded my ignorance OF the law.
This being the case,' said the Justice, "Pll let