The Indianapolis journal., 1886-02-15

equipped, as II will bs. hitting place for the
homeless employees among the young man OF our
city, 6s wei as scr thosa VINO lave homes. i.
may be we'll to say in this connection that the
building will be provided with reading
rooms, lecture-rooms. gymnasium, bowling
alley. bathroom. and all made so
attractive as naturally to draw the young men.
Let it be understood that none will be more well
come than the young man who comes amongst
us stranger. or only occasionally finds himself
in our city.
In cur larger cities these Association build
lngs are elegant structures, and on ac-
count of their benefcent influences are becom-
Ing favorites OF men of all classes and business
The history and workings Of some of these IN
uetail would be very interesting; but We have no
time for such recital o-night. These buildings
In many places become almost self-sustaining, as
it is believed the we have in prospect in this
city will be. The first floor will be made into
eligible business rooms. the rent of which, with
the small stipend asked for the
and baths, cannot but yield revenue
contributing very largely to carry on the pur-
poses Of the Association.
Have you not remarked my friends how
strong public sentiment exists in favor of
viaduct over the line of danger between the
northern and southern portions of our city!
There is no good citizen that is not
willing to be taxed TO build that way
of safety to life and limb. Now. shall
good men and women be less anxious
to voluntarily give something to build up an edi-
fee so attractive SO pleasant, so safe in all its
appointments and influences that the young
men of the city shall be found within it's walls,
instead of finding pleasure in the resorts of sin,
and crime, and death2 But some one will ask,
what are you going to do with the fellows
who will not avail themselves of these ad-
vantages, but will seek their pleasure and spend
their hours in places of questionable proprietyl
Shall we refuse to do our duty because some will
not do theirs2 Shall be refuse to build school
houses and churches because a very great many
persons refuse to attend either school or church,
Will you abandon every moral benevolent and
religious enterprise because, forsooth, some ig-
norsnt and foolish people vii. have
nothing to do with them2 No!
Good men and women will work right on,
trampling encouragement and opposition under
their feet, fully rewarded if they can see partial
good accomplished by their labors. But we have
been met, already. by the discouraging sugges-
tion that this is no time to call upon the people
for contributions; the times are too hard; the
struggle for very life sorely presses every
body. Our morning and evening papers
have come up splendidly to the aid
and encouragement of this enterprise, and we
answered that objection well as it can be- Go
through the city and note the names of the pros
porous merchants, manufacturers; indeed, pros
porous men in all the businesses of life, and you
% smrh ENTER upon hnnSross
city in the United States, of equal popu-
lation can number more. It is true, but not to
the dscredit of our city, that there are not many
men In whom there is a large aggregation of
wealth. The millions of our wealth are dis
tributed with more equality than in any other of
our cities OF like size and advantages. There
are more people living in their own houses in
Indianapolis than in any city of equal population
in the United States Then we are the capital of
a great State. in the center of one of the
richest agricultural regions on earth. Shall
few business reverses that will come upon good
men, and in all communities, paralyZe our people
and utterly subdue their energies so that they
will put aside and reject enterprises of such
''pith and moment as involve the best interests
of the city2 No. 1t cannot be possible. Then,
my friends, along with the City Building, the
Union Depot the State house. and other sub
stantial Improvements to the city, let this
work, to be dedicated to the highest social,
moral and religious interests of our city, be
erected by the voluntary contributions of our
citizens. 1t will enure to our good name and
credit abroad. It will inspire confidence every
where, and in all persons God will bless the
work and the city.
My friends. in the fierce conflicts between vice
and virtue, truth ard error, we dare not reject
any influence, any institution, however humble
1t may be- that comes to as arrayed on the side
of the truth and the right
Well may the wsest and best men Of the land
SL3uU appalled, In the contemplation or those
wonderful material forces now stimulating
beyond conception, beyond Imagination the
physical social and intellectual energies of the
mighty population which is gathering into this
great Mississippi valley. Let us never forget
that if we will perpetuate our present civil and
religious liberty, if we will perpetuate this mag
nihcent government of ours. there must radate
from here. and from all the centres of population,
those lifegiving forces those moral and religious
influences, that alone can stem the torrent of
vin0 and iyno ND ront hn Hfpr
and degenerating influences Of wealth, and lux
ury, and power.
H. THANE MILLER's REMARKS.
An anthem was then rendered by the choir, at
the close of which Ell. Thane Miller, in one of his
best moods for happy effort. and with character
istc humor and pataos, began his address. With
felicitous expression and earnestness that never
fails him when he is deeply imbued with the
spirit of come philanthropie enterprise, he soon
had the mastery Of his audience. He
said he was especially grateful to the COM
mittee for inviting him on this occasion. In
all sincerity he could say he loved Indianapolis.
and he had cause for it, and that cause lay in
what it had done for him. He loved nobody un-
less he had reason forit. When he was young
man ia Sunday school work, he always
looked to Indianapolis for aggressiveness,
healthfulness of influence, correctness, sincerity
and the best methods in Sunday school affairs.
He never looked in vain; and more, he never
attended meeting in this city to advance some
philanthropic or charitable movement but that
he was always greatly benefited So he had
good cause to love the city, and that in
cludes the ladies. When he received
his invitation to come here, he thought
maybe he had been invited because some
body else had refused and fearful that some
body else would reconsider that refusal he lost
time in making up his mind to come. He
sent telegram of acceptance quicker than
lightning lest the committee would take back the
invitation. After listening to the eloquent ad-
dresses he felt as if he wanted to make
set speech He felt ashamed, and wanted
to get under the stage, not because he was sorry
but because he did not come better prepared.
However. if he went a visit to father and
mother be did not think he would 90 at them