The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-28
AT THE COLUMBIA CLUB.
A Fine Reception to VisitOrs-SenatOr
Fairbanks's Speech.

AT THE COLUMBIA CLUB.
A Fine Reception to VisitOrs-SenatOr
Fairbanks's Speech.
The great feature of the gathering thus
far--and it was about the most pleasing fea-
ture that has ever attached to any similar
gathering-was the informal reception given
last night by the Columbia Club to the Wis
iting Republicans from all parts of the
State. During the afternoon and carly even
ing a number of members of the club cir
culated through the crowd in the lobby of
the Denison extending to all the Republicans
there a cordial invitation to come to the
clubhouse at o'clock in the evening. Very
few neglected the cordial invitation and the
clubhouse was crowded upstairs and down
by O'Clock. In the dining hall great tables
were handsomely decorated, not only with
| flowers, but with plenty of things that are
| good for the inner man. The spread was in
| the nature of a buffet lunch and was done
| about as handsomely as anything of the
| kind that has ever been attempted by any
| of the clubs in the city. Until 10 o'clock
! the time was spent in disposing of the lunch
| and in social conversation. 1t had been the
| intention to have no speaking at all, but
| there were too many distinguished men
present for that, and the crowd insisted that
persed Accordingly President Hacker re-
quested L. b. Martndale to act as master
| of ceremonies. and the visitors and mem
bers of the club again gathered in the great
dining hall
| After rapping for attention Judge Martin
| dale greeted the Republicans of Indiana
! and spoke of the delight that it gave to the
| officers and members of the club to be able
| thus TO entertain the distinguished Repub-
| licans from over the State. In q few we'll
| chosen words he introduced Senator Fair,
| banks. AS Senator Fairbanks came forward
| he was greeted with applause and spoke
| substantially as follows
Mr. Chairman and Fellow Republicans
| / must confess that ] am laboring under
/ some embarrassment. | was not aware UNI
| til moment ago that / was to be called
| upon to address you. | am in the position
| of the man who has been drafted. but draft
! ed in most agreeable cause. (Applause.)
| / came from Washington, leaving some du-
| ties that devolve upon me in my public serv-
! ice. to meet the Republicans of Indiana In
| their biennial love feast | have attended
| these love feasts for many years but I do
| not think that any OF these meetings have
! gathered under such agreeable circum-
| stances as has this one. For many years
| we met under gloomy conditions. | have
! seen many of these meetings where doubt,
| encouragement and gloom pfeEaled. ana
| God the party is alive with hope and strong
! for its great work of the future. Indiana,
| in years past has been accounted a DEM
ocratic State. but | believe that Indiana,
| progressive State that she is. has outgrown
| retroactive Democracy (Applause) Public
servants are under the strongest kind of OBJ
! legation to give their best service TO the
! country and to the party that chose them.
! ! am not one of those who believe that par
| ty loyalty should grow cold when one has
/ found place and position. My name will not
| be upon the ticket in the next campaign;
| but | want To assure you that my lime ana
what poor abilities [ may possess shall be
wholly at the service OF my party. ! owe
! to you. my fellow Republicans a dent OF
/ gratitude and | am not ungrateful. Cap
| plause) | have had in the past few yt airs
| opportunity to observe the politics OF other
| AT times rent the party in the great Empire
| State and lost it victory and strength. |
! party in Illinois, disscnsions n Pennsylvan1a
| and disagreements in our sister state OF
Ohio IL am prouo arc 70 Gay S9 united strong
! and more determined than ever 10 carry Ior-
| ward the banner of Republicanism and good
| government. (Applause.)
| Club, welcome. thrice welcome. rms or,
ganzation is catholic in spirit and organiz2se re-
| 70 forward and conserve the interests of the
| Republican party. believe that no club in
the United States of the same membership
| cause of the party | am glad that the
| membership of the club has in this same
catholic spirit REACHED our an 6 eEaspga
| throughout the State. 1t is the beginning
| of a movement in the larger interests of the
| party and in the direction OF good govern
| ment and a broader Fellowship
At the close of Senator Fairbankss speech
the applause that had punctua'eo IL
| throughout was renewed.
| GENERAL, WALLACE CALLED.
| There were loud calls from the crowd for
! General Wallace and at the command of
| Judge Martndale the veteran soldier came
| forward Il think really there is some mis-
| take here tonight said General Wallace.
| .'Those who have been demanding that J
| speak seem TO have forgotten that l am q
member of this club and that with them it
| is my duty to welcome all outside Republic
| ans. / join with Senator Fairbanks III ex-
| tending to you hearty welcome. | do not
| think this a proper occasion for a political
| sneech and will avoid making one. ] am
not anticipating for tomorrow conference,
| but a Republican convention. (Applause.)
| We have been told with great deal or APP
| parent significance and much winking of the
| eve and shaking of the head that this is an
off year. and that nothing IS to be hoped Tor
| will do yourselves the honor to attend the
/ convention tomorrow You will see some
/ thing in the way of enthusiasm that no par
| ty has ever before displayed In Indiana. CAP
! plause) This great gathering IS proof posi-
| tive that the spirit ct the Republican party
/ is not dead, that it lives for future success
| and for the preservation of sound American
| government. We have won our victory. and
| as a result we are now IN the midst of pros
| perity-not only in Indiana, but in every
/ other State-such as the country has seldom
| seen before. The people are determined TO
!
/ know of no stronger motive that could serve
| to bring them out in such numbers Let me
| again express the hope that shall meet you
! in the convention tomorrow.
General Wallace was again applauded as
he took his seat, and the crowd began to call
| for Judge Robert s. Taylor, of Fort Wayne.
Il know of nothing" said Judge Taylor as
! soon as the applause that greeted his APP
spearance had subsidized. that demonstrates
| more completely the innate cruelty of the
! American people than the fact that when
ever they get into a crowd of fifty more
| they begin TO demand of some victim a
! speech, and ] know of nothing that more
/ completely demonstrates their good nature
than the fact that they are usually satisfied
with what they get. daughter and APP
I plause.) In relation to the club and this
gathering, | occupy a somewhat peculiar
| situation. Your president has let the
/ fact that / am member. but l have just
| been born a member. 1t Is the Year | with
/ me; just got in. | am like the fellow who
was born ON the last day of the last month
| of the year, In the last hour of the day, and
he said he had a narrow escape of not being
born at all. | feel, therefore. that it is my