The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-17
PRAISE FOR M'KINLEY
SPEECH BY MARCUS A. HANNA AT A
COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET.
He Discusses the Recent Campaign,
and Pays q Tribute to the Presi-
dent-Elect-A Labor of Love.

CLEVELAND, o., Nov. l6.-Chairman NJ
A. Hanna, of the Republican national COM
mittee. was rendered complimentary ban
quet tonight at the Union Club. The affair
was planned by some of Mr.. Hanna's close
friends and warm admirers who are men,
bers Of the club. and the invitations were
limited to members of the organization
which Is the most exclusive in the city
The arrangements were on an elaborate
scale, the floral decorations being among
the finest ever seen in this city. Colonel
Myron T. Herrick presided and acted as
POSTMASTER, and addresses of compliment
tary nature were delivered by Judge Will
liam b. Saunders Hon. James II. Hoyt,
Edwin r. Perkins, s. III. Holding Samuel
Watcher, James r. Garfield and Samuel
Dodge. Of this city and Hon. j. II. Reed,
Of the Pittsburg Sound-money Club.
Colonel Herrick, In concluding his ad-
dress, said: 1.-The people of this country
have passed a great crisis. 1t was a great
conflict great cause, with a great COM
mander and a great candidate. The forces
which won the victory were marshaled
and led by that Incompatible leader who
is our guest tonight. 1 propose the health
of Mark A. Hanna"
Mr.. Hanna was greeted by loud and long
continued applause when he arose TO speak,
He said
Mr.. Toastmaster and Gentlemen of the
Union Club-I have a great feeling of re-
lief tonight. Such a feeling of relief and
joy as 1 never had before, and / never was
SO happy as l am tonight. My friends,
this comes very near to being anni-
versary. About two years ago, not quite
that long, / began my work of devotion
and love to. our chief. Two years ago L
he laid upon me that confidence which he
felt and said to me. My friend, | trust you
Tsn tbere my r b,1 ne also % said nd do Marx b
President Of the United States. and leave
my honor in your hands, And from that
day. nearly two years ago, began this cam
paign. 1t was rather quiet at first-what
the boys are likely to call a still hunt
but 1t Is true that 1t had its birthday near
ly two years ago to-day. 1 embarked upon
whom L loved because / had learned to
respect and honor him. 1t was a mission
Of love; inspired by. that noble character
which has no peer in the world"
Continuing. Mr.. Hanna referred to the
result of the St Louis convention. and
said: when 1 took charge Of McKinleys
honor / swore to my maker that l would
return it unsullied and when L returned
from that memorable convention, proud
and satisfied with the work his friends
report at the feet of my chieftain and
said to him. Mckinley l have not for
gotten my trust. and bring 1t back with
redeem. / think / have a right to feel
proud of that, because in the succession of
administrations. from Lincoln's time to the
present, there are none that ever enjoyed
that privilege before
Speaking Of the campaign Mr.. Hanna
said: There were dark days-days when
even the best men in this country lost
faith in its government, and why? Because
as / said. the enemy was an unseen one
and the blows it was striking were blows
at the very foundation OF the government
And they'd not know the inner workings
of our part of the campaign. When L left
Chicago to come to Cleveland to vote for
my friend, William Mckinley looked out
of the car window in the early dawn and 1
saw the sun rise. and that sentiment of
Garfield's came to me. God reigns.' and 1
felt that the government at Washington
would live in spite of Bryan and anarchy"
Concluding Mr.. Hanna said: Il can't ex-
plain to you what impelled me TO enter on
this labor. leaving all my other interests
here at home, except TO say that Ii was
my love for this great man. i had been
with him in the conventions of 1884 and 1883
and 1892 and / knew of their trials and
their temptations and IL was then that /
learned to know the heart and character of
William Mckinley. 1t was then that he
brushed aside all except the future and
said. Il will not stultify my character for
any reward on earth.
Mr.. Hanna s address was frequently in
terrupted by applause.