The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-29

ed by an atmosphere of ethereal purity
and celestial aspirations, you will en-
brace the opportunity TO make all need
ed reforms and reparation.
Laying pleasantly aside, gentlemen
Of the convention, Wichita is proud and
happy today to welcome you. No people
can or do more fully appreciate the ser
vice TO the commercial world of the hon
est banker than do the business men of
this city.
They know that as the pilot IS to the
ship when the ocean storm arises, so are
the bankers to the country when finan-
cial crises come. They know that, ike
the engineer in his cab, with mis- hand
upon the throttle, with keen eye strained
along the track, sleepless and alert
through all the darkness of the night.
while behind him reposes in perfect con-
fidence and security his precious freight
Of human life, plunging over creek, "a
vine and river, climbing the rocky grade
and laundering down the mountain side
screeching the wierd, wild warnings that
starIle the midnight air, so the bankers
OF the country, with firm and steady
hand upon the helm, have guided the
financial ship, whether in sunshine or
in storm, safely through the breakers
and over the perilous shoals, through all
the darkness of the troubled night up 10
the rising dawn of prosperity that now,
al last, is ushing the horizon
"The banker OF each community has
his hand upon the commercial pulse. To
him the people look TO raise the storm
signal when danger approaches. His Sc
renity and caimness, or his agitation and
panic become Immediately contagious
The banker who can so conduct his bust
ness that when financial crises come he
may be able TO defy the storm and thus
inspire the community with confidence
and trust is not only public benefactor
but a real hero in lifes' battle.
Most of the bankers before me are
battle-scarred veterans who have faced
the perls Of the past ten years-a decade
more trying, 1 think, TO banks. especial
~ in Kansas, than any ten years Of the
nations hstory-and have come through
as conquerors worthy to be crowned as
the bankers laureate Of the century.
Wichita takes off her hat TO the laurel
crowned bankers OF Kansas who have
borne the brunt of the battle and stand
today with victory inscribed upon their
banners.
LAS fellow-citizens we rejoice with you
at the signs Of returning prosperity-a
condition to which you you have contrib
uted largely to bring aoout-a prosperity
not OF mushroom growth and ephemeral
duration, as some pessim!stic politicians
r.a1i l,r- +,ol
and permanent-a prosperity born CT the
matchleSs soil Of Kansas. kissed by the
sunshine and the rain; born OF her vast
expanse OF waving grass sustaining mill
ions Of sleek and growing cattle; born OF
her golden harvests OF corn and wheat
seeking the eager markets Of the world:
born Of her ineXhaustible beds OF coal
and lead and oil and salt, woosd by min
ers' pick and throbbing pump; heralded
by the busy hum OF industry, the buzz
ing saw, the hammers click, the trowel's
ring. the wfir Of myriad wheels, the
whistles scream OF factory and mill. the
rolling thunder Of a thousand freight
trains mingling in one grand symphony.
like an anvil chorus OF the gods. while
over all there comes. like a benediction
the smile OF the Almighty from behind
the clouds, proclaiming restored conf
dence-th Falherhooi Of God, the
brotherhood OF man
Gentlemen Of the convention, in be-
half Of cur worthy mayor and in the
name OF all the people Of Wichita, we Did
you thrice welcome 10 our city. To you
and 20 the ladies who have accompanied
you. the noble wives OF bankers. who. in
your hours OF gloom and distress. nave
chung 10 you with all the devotion OF
Ruth 20 old Naomi, whose rejoicings
With you in the days OF triumph and de-
l!verance have been as grateful and in
spring as the song OF Miriam-to one
and ali, the gates OF our city and the
hearts OF our people are wide open. May
your sojourn with Us be as pleasant and
profitable 10 you as l. viii be Joyous