The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-08
AN HONOR FROM HISFRIENDS
The President-Elect Addressed by the
Gentlemen's Literary Club ofThisC City.
Greetings and Evidence of Good Will on Parch-
ment Presented to Him-An Evening of
Social and Intellectual Enjoyment.

At the meeting of the Gentlemen's Lit
erary Club, in Plymouth Church, last night,
Hon. William Dudley Fonlke, of Richmond,
read paper on THE Knights of the Golden
Circle" After its reading there was gen.
eral discussion, many "reminiscences being
related, and among those taking part were
Hon. A. G.. Porter, General Harrison and
Mr.. w. P. Fishback. But this meeting had
a special interest, as Immediately after
General Harrison's nomination it was
determined that the club should
take some action toward recognizing
the distinguished honor that had been be-
slowed upon him, who is one of its men,
bers, and a committee OF five was appointed,
comprising Rev, Dr. Joseph s., Jenckes,
Rev. n. A. Hyde, yno. A; Finch, Jno. ii;
what action the, club should take in the
matter. This was long prior TO the election.
b Ssa as result w of thu the ss1on
of the committee to have presented
the General memorial address anyhow.
There was OF course a very large attendance
last night, as 1t was understood the club
would present it's compliments to the Gen.
eral.
After the reading of Mr.. Foulke's paper,
and just before discussion upon it was
opened, VIM. II. Rexford, president of the
rison the following, which was engrossed
upon the heavy parchment, Ornamented by
a deep blue half-border bearing the seal of
the club and the State:
Hon. Benjamin HarIison
Dear Sir-The members of the Indianapolis
Literary Club, who have had the pleasure of
ass0clating with you for several years in friend
ship and fellowship, desire to express their high
their number by reason of your election TO tia
presidency of the United States. They beg to
Lender You the assurance OF their personal re-
cess In administering the great office to which
you have been called, and sign themselves sim
cerely and fraternally.
Then follows the signatures of sixty or
more members of the club. Among the
more prominent signers are Ex-Governor
A. g. Porter w. III. H. Miller, Judge w. A.
Woods, Hon. William H. Calkins, Judge
Solomon Clayp00l, John b. Elan, Judge
Elijah w. HaIford Rev. DIR. James Mcleod,
Col. Samuel Merrill, Hon. John A. Holman,
and President Smart of Purdue University,
ali OF whom were among those present.
Hon. Blanche X. Bruce, ex-senator from
Chicago and James WhitcOmb Riley are
members of the club, but were not in the
city.
President Rexford, in presenting the
had done much toward bringing General
Harrison before the public.
The General, in accepting the compli-
ments and good wishes of his associates,
said, in substance, that sometime ago he
did good deal of speaking, but lately he
had not been doing much in that line; in
fact he did not know but that he had al
most lost the art of public speaking. This
was his excuse for not making speech.
He expressed his warmest thanks for
the kindly words addressed to him
and looked back to many pleasant and
instructive gatherings with his brother
members of the club. He facetiously adj
United the chairman's claim as to the i'm
pOrtant part the club had played in bring
ing him into public prominence, and wished
the club long and prosperous existence.
The General was rOundly applauded at
the conclusion, and the discussion of Sem
ator FOuike's paper was taken up, after
which refreshments, in the shape of cold
salad, tea, coffee and ice-cream, were
served, followed by cigars. 1t was after IL
O'Clock when the meeting broke up and
General Harrison and his former law part
ner, Mr.. Miller, babe their friends good
night and departed for home.
The club was organized Jan. 10, 1877. at
the residence of the late John ID. Rowland,
who was its first president. In 1S7S-79 the
president was Walter q. Gresham. For
yer, filled that Office, and in 1ss4-s5 Albert
G. Porter succeeded to the position. The
vice-presidents for the year 1S7S-79
were Benjamin Harrison, Myron w.
Reed en and ,szs Fri rsbX riss
before the club on the ..Infirmities of HUI
| man Testimony" AT the meeting Jan. H.
1879, he read one, the title of which was
Chinese in America" March 8, 1879, the
late Thomas A. Hendricks read paper be-
Again on Jan. 5, 1880, Mr.. Hendricks con-
| tributed an interesting essay, entitled
Revolutions" May 10, 1880, Gen. Harri-
son read paper, Mississippi River I'm