Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-30
"HAIL TO THE CHIEF"
Was the Greeting to Grover Cleveland AS
He Entered the Academy of Medi-
cine-His Speech.

New York. Jan. 29-The Academy of
Medicine celebrated its semi-centennial
tonight in Carnegie Husic hall. The ex-
ercises consisted of addresses by DR..
Joseph D. Bryant, the president of the
academy, and by Samuel S. Purple and
Lewis A. Sayre, the founders of the
academy; an grafton by A. jacob, the
former presto lit of the academy, and an
address by the President of the United
States, Grover Cleveland. The hall was
crowded.
Hail to The Chief greeted the Presi-
dent as he entered the hall on the arm of
Dr. Bryant, the audience rising out of
respect to the ma tion's executive. Bishop
Henry C. Potter offered the opening
prayer
President Bryant then made the open
ing address of welcome. DR.. Bryant ex-
planned that the objects of the academy
were for the purpose of fostering the
medical profession to better the study of
medicine and the maintenance of a good
medical library. Drs. Purple and jacob
spoke on the aims and work OF the
academy. :
The opening and ~the greater part of
Mr.. Cleveland's speech was devoted to
complimenting the doctors upon the rapid
advancement their science is making,
and upon the resulting benefits to the
human race Then he sketched some OF
the defects in existing medical legislation
and put the question to the assembled
company whether they were sure their
duty as citiZe ms had been as fully dis
charged as had been their professional
duty-whether they We're doing all IN
their power to remedy the situation he
desired. He said:
1--WE cannot but think that the discov-
cries and improvements in the medical
practice which we now enjoy are dearly
bought of the members of the profess
sion in their onward march have left be-
hind them their sense of civic obligations
and their interest in the general public
welfare We cannot accuse you of utter
neglect of your duty to the country and
yet we cannot keep out of mind the sus-
pcion that il your professional work IN
exposing evils were more thoroughly sup
plemented by labor in the field of citizen
ship, those evils would be more speedily
corrected
IF laws are needed to abolish abuses
which your professional Investigations
have unearthed. your fraternity should
not be strangers to the agencies which
make the laws If enactments already In
force are neglected or badly executed
you should not forget it is your privilege
and duty to insisE upon their vigorous
and honest enforcement. Let me also re-
mind YOU of the application to your case
of thstruth embodied in the homely in
junction: If You want a job well done,
do Ii Yourself If members of your pro-
fession were oftener found In our ma
tional ard state legislative assemblies
ready to advocate the reforna tory meas
ures you have demonstrated to be neces-
sary, the prospects of your bestowal upon
your feEownen of the ripsned results of
your professional labor would be brighter
and nearer.
while suggesting the need of your
influence In legislative circles for the
accomplishment of reforms related to
your profession, you win, hope, permit
me in conclusion to enjoin upon you the
duty of an active ard general interest
and participation in public affairs for the
promotion Of your country's good in all
its phases. Our government was found
ed on the faith and anticipation that
those who loved it most and were best
able to held it steady would be at its
helm Without this 1t will surely go
astray
mo object of personal ambition and no
activity of professional life should be
permitted to withhold from our govern
ment the 1.-THE of devotion and service
due from its thoughtful, intelligent and
educated citizens. The reward of a will
ling recognition of our ALLEGATION to
watch and protect our free institutions
and preserve them from weakness and
decay will surely come when a just gov
rnnent. supported By the participa-
| ton cf loving people shall bestow with
-6slupoo Ino liz pure sp uodn pueu tvnd5
| men the blessings of national peace. con-
| tentment and happiness"
After the exercises Mr.. Cleveland went
| to DR.. Bryant's house where he will pass
| the night. He will return to Washing
| ten tomorrow. d. aa. -