The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-18
THE BANQUET.

Toasts and Responses-Remarks by Vice.
President Hendricks and Others.
Last night the veterans, with invited guests
in all over two hundred persons. seated them
selves to banquet at the Grand Hotel, Gen. j.
w Denver presiding. The following toasts were
given:
'Our Country: May it always be right; but
right or wrong our country. "-Response by FL.
w. Hart, of Nashville. Tenn.
THE President the worthy chief magistrate
of the great Republic Response by Vice pres-
dent Hendricks. Mr.. Hendricks spoke as follows:
1.-The office of President of the United States
is of the highest dignity, perhaps none other in
the world high. The President presides over
6fty-four millions of people, patriotic and united
united, earnest and enterprising In their en-
terprise they surpass all. They have passed be-
yond the limits that nature seemed to prescribe
to their efforts. The country which they inhabit
gives assurance of the greatest possibilities. The
duties of the presidential Office IF the great
est responsibility. At the head of the executive
department., he yet must as the occasion may
require, interfere with the action of the
other departments. From time to time he shall
recommend to Congress such measures as he
shall judge necessary and expedient. Because
the Constitution imposes this duty upon him a
corresponding obligation rests upon Congress to
receive his recommendations with respectful con-
sideration. And when the bills are passed by
veto aud if he believes them hurtful to the pub
ic welfare he shall veto them. With the action
or the courts he may also interfere by the exer-
else of the power of pardon; and this even before
conviction. In that respect the power differs
from that possessed by the Governor of our
State, who may not exercise it until after
conviction and judgment The oath prescribed
by the Constitution is peculiar and significant
II is that he will faithfully execute the Office of
President of the United States and to the best
OF his ability protect and defend the Constitu-
ton. The constitutional oath of senators and
representatives. merahers of the State Legisa-
ture and all executive and judicial officers of the
United states, and or the States is to support
the Constitution / will not undertake to saw
what may be the difference in the force and OBJ
legation of the oaths this prescribed Perhaps to
the congressman and executive officer, and judge
the form OF oath requires only O personal sur
port of the Constitution, and that in respect to
the duties of his Office, whatever they may be-
he will stand faithful to its requirements
But to the President the United States it seems
TO be more and higher that be will
protest and defend the Constitution whenever
and however assailed. against all enemies. He
is made the champion, the plumed knight if you
please to protect and defend the peoples Consti-
tuition The President shall also appoint minis
ters, foreign ambassadors, consuls judges and
all other officers OF the United States whose
appointment Congress has not devOlved upon the
courts and the departments. In public estima-
ton, this prerOgative carries with 1t but little
lighlt1s perhaps, anu ibPoeeo mash 0nAAety.
But its faithful discharge is important to the
welfare of the country. and therefore it adds to
The Importance of the presidential Office The
President stands between our OWE and all other
countries in respect to any and all matters of
controversy. He may not make war, but ne
may conclude peace. He negotiates treaties
through the fundamentally Of his appointed
agents
You veterans suspended the fight in Mexico
when the Presidents accredited agent appeared
upon the field TO negotiate the treaty that estab-
Ilshed peaceful relations. The President is the
eommander-in-chief of the army and navy, and
Of the States militia when called into the serv-
Ice of the United States. The highest express
sion OF dignity and power is found in the consti-
Sntional definition, The executive power is