The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-18

in his intellectual equipment for his high
Office and in his rectitude of purpose in
merce of the State of New York, in ten
dering him on behalf of its one thousand
his Election ms wishes him at the same time M
in the fullness of its hopefulness and hap
piness.. cheering and sympathetic god
speed"
At the conclusion of his speech President
Orr added: I'VE expected the President of
the United States with us this evening. but
at the last minute he has sent a letter
stating that he was unable to be present.
In proposing his health / will first read the
letter in which he stated his inability to
After the letter (printed above) had been
read, toast TO the Presidents health was
drank tEa rs standing II tive. was here announced
by President Orr TO the Rev. DR.. r. s:
storrs. of Brooklyn: The Chamber of
in convention assembled. sends greeting
and congratulations to the Rev. Richard s.
Storrs, d. D.. now enjoying the hospitali-
ties of the Hamilton Club upon the fiftieth
anniversary OF his great and glorious work
in the cause of religion and humanity"
MIR. WILSON'S RESPONSE.
The president then introduced Postmas-
ter-general William L. Wilson. who re-
sponded to the toast Free Government on
Trial" He said in part:
Every general election in this country is
trial or free government and not less
truly trial of those institutions through
which we are attempting 10 work out free
We have 5ps had e test eS of
with the question so confessedly difficult
that In other countries it is Eommitted hted to to
statesmen. That the result has been tri-
umph for national integrity is a cause for
thanksgiving; that the result has been
achieved oy partial and temporary disso-
luton Of party ties and the hearty concert
of forces irreconcilaby antagonistic on
other policies is ground for quickened
atrin md of do in Arnn ioay,
citizenship. To make forever safe the
fruits of such victory is now the duty
and responsibility of those to whom the in
itiative and power have come with a ver-
dict of the late election.
1T would be as untrue as it would be
of voters who were massed behind the nag
OF free silver were conscious advocates of
repudiation and disaster or were less patri-
Otic than the mass of their countrymen.
Strange as II may seem the question of
maintaining the financial integrity of the
country. of keeping good faith in public
and private dealings was confused in the
minds of many citizens with the policy of
defending a plutocracy, imaginary or real,
whose interests wero the interests of a
class and to that extent were hostile to
the interests Of the masses or the peop.e.
In the honest belief of a section of the
voters is becoming fixed the idea that gov
ernment is so administered and laws are
framed to make unjust distribution
of social benefits as TO make more difflcult
the upward path in life and TO narrow the
gateway of opportunity for that vast ma
jority of youth whose sole dependence is
individual merit and individual effort. If
this points to a weak point in our political
fabric. il is our duty to look fearlessly and
carefully TO that point and to strengthen Ii
as best we may If on the other hand 1t
rests on any real basis in our laws or in
the present working of our industrial or
ganizations, those laws should be reformed
and that Industrial organization should be
brought into harmony with democratic
government.
IF we are to escape in the future the
cries we have heard in this campaign of
| the power of plutocracy. of the classes and
| the masses, of the antagonism between
capital and labor and OF the gulf between
| the rich and the poor, all wrongs or
! abuses that can breed and foster such
! ideas must be patiently and honestly OBJ
! liberated.
| ''It is not that a successful defense has
| been made, but that power and authority
have been gained for such legislation as
will place our monetary system on a
| safe and impregnable basis. where expert
| ence of its wisdom and safety will be some
| practicable theory. We must all admit
| that the entire body of our financial legis-
| lation for thirty years has been make
shift and concession to mistaken ideas,
! that from such concession and from dan
gerous dallyins with erroneous and dam
gerous ideas and the perverted education
| that resulted. came the great peril we have
so fortunately escaped. For these mistakes
! all parties and almost, if not all, party
| leaders have been responsible.
The next toast Social Discomfort" was
| responded to by Gov. John w. Griggs, of
| New Jersey Hon. Bourke Cochran was
| a brief talk by Gen. Nelson A. Miles. Each
| urged patriotic support for the President
| elect. Senator Hawley, of Connecticut
| Mayor Strong. Commander Sicard and Gen.
| Horace Porter also spoke. The banquet
| ended at late hour by all rising and sing
| ing Aud Lang Syne."