The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-16
President McKinIey,s Address.

The President was escorted back to the
stand. and as soon as silence could be Sc
cured he began his address. He said.
"FelIow-citizens-There is a peculiar and
tender sentiment connected with this me-
mortal. 1t expresses not only the graft
tude and reverence of the living, but is
a testimonial of affection and homage from
the dead. The comrades Of Washington
projected this monument; their love in
spired it; their contributions helped to build
1t. Past and present share in it's completion,
T participate in the dedication of such.
a monument is a rare and precious priVi-
lege. Every monument to Washington is
a tribute to patriotism. Every shaft and
statue to his memory helps to inculcate
love Of country encourage loyalty and es-
tablish a better citizenship. God bless every
undertaking which revives patriotism and
rebukes the Indifferent and laWless.
"A critical study of Washington's ca
reer only enhances our estimation of his
vast and varied abilities. AS command
the beginning of the war TO the proclama-
zion OIL peace, as president OF the con-
vention which framed the Constitution or
the United states. and as the nrst Presl-
dent of the United States under that Con-
stitutiOn Washington. had a distinction
differing from that of all other INDUSTRIOUS
Americans. No other name bears or can
bear such a relation to the government.
Not only by his military genius-his pa
thence, his sagacity, his courage and his
skill-was our national independence Won,
but he helped in largest measure to draft
the court ty winch the Nation was SuluSus
and he was the hrst chosen OF the people
to put in motion the new government. His
was not the boldness of martial display or
the charm of captivating oratOry, but his
calm and steady judgment won mems sup
port and commanded their confidence by
appealing to their best and noblest aspira-
tionS.
And withal, Washington was ever SO
modest that at no time in his career did
his personality seem in the least intrusive.
lie was above the temptation OF power. he
spurned the suggested crown. He would
have no homer which the people did not
bestow.- An interesting fact-and one
which | love to recalls that the only
time Washington formally addressed the
constitutional convention during all its
sessions, over which he presided in this
city, he appealed for a larger representa-
ton of the people in the national House
stantly needed. Thus he was ever keenly
Watchful of the rights Of the people in
whose hands was, the destiny of our gov
eminent then and now.
"Masterful as were his military cam
paigns, his civil administration commands
equal admir- alton. His foresight was mar
Vicious; his conception of the philosophy of
government, his i~nsistence upon the neceS-
Sity of education, morality and enlightened
citizenship, for the progress and perma-
nence of the Republic cannot be contem-
plated, even at this period, without filling
us with establishment at the breadth of his
comprehension and the sweep of his vision.
lis was no narrow view of government.
Ihe immediate present was not his sole
concern, out our future good his constant
theme of study. He blazed the path OF lib
erty: lie laid the foundation upon which
We nave grown from weak and scattered
colonial governments to the united repub-
lie, whose domains and power. as We'll as
whose liberty and freedom, have become
the admiration of the world. Distance and
time nave not detracted from the fame and
force OF his achievements or diminished
the M ur of his life and work. Great
deeuS 90 not stop in their growth, and
those OF Washington will expand in in
hu !l in all the centuries to follow.
The bequeSt Washington has made to
CIVILIZATION is rich beyond computation.
The obligations under which he has placed
manklnd are sacred and commanding. The
responsibility he has left for the American
people. to preserve and perfect what he
accomplished, is eXacting and solemn. Let
US reJolce IN every new evidence that the
people feallze that they enjoy and cherish
with affection the illustrious heroes of rev.
pulmonary story, whose Valor and sacrifices
made a nation. They live in US, and their
memory will help us keep the covenant
entered into for the maintenance of the
treeSt government of earth.
The Nation and the name of Washington
are inseparable. One is linked indissoI1blv
with the other. Both are glorious, both
I'VE, because what he did was for the exal-
tatlon OF man, the enthronement of con-
science, and the establishment of a gov
eminent which recognizes all the governed.
over all obstacles, adhering to the immor-
tai principles which Washington taught
and Lincoln sustained"
Bishop Whitaker concluded his prayer
WIN tne Lords prayer, in which President
Mckinley joined in low tones. Major
Waynes address consisted of a brief re-
cltal or the formation and purposes of the
society, and ended with a formal nresentaU
ton of the statue to the city on behalf of
the society. President Mckinley spoke in
q clear, distinct voice and was well heard
throughout the great main stand, and his
speech was literally punctuated with APP