The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-01
"TBE HOUSE BuiLT ON A ROCK,
DIR. T.. W. Hays Talks ON Behalf of the
building Committee.

Dr.. Franklin W. Hays, chairman of the
building committee. responded to the toast
1.-The House Built on Rock as follows:
Mr.. President and Members OF the CO.
lurnbia CidD-AImost three years ago your
president chose nine men TO whom you in
trusted your desires. your hopes and your
money Tor the erection OF this building
here Monument place. These men are
here tonight, heavy laden, weary In mind
and body, but glad OF heart and proud in
spirit. TO tell you that the structure is
nnished. Let me tell you not of their
worries, of the distractions that have been
I'm their path, nor of their trials but let
me tell you rather of their purposes and
their ideals in the work that they have
wrought They strove to build so that this
Institution representing the Republican
party but patriotism more and first, here
In the very living center of our nation,
here where the composite American is.
shOrld possess a house not less noble
than its purposes. These men saw more
than an enduring structure; they saw an
enduring people, and through the swift
coming generations of this new century a
multitudinous people and as the years pass
by they saw these masses of human beings
moving about this greatest of monument
places, and then again saw the best from
among these peoples coming and going
over the threshold of this house. Then
how exacting became their minds, lest the
awful memories of the great shaft for
ever shaGowing our door, with its awe
some teachings, and that the sacred SYM
Dol OF IL all. might not be lived up to In
this edifice.
$50 ideal upon ideal was built up in
Their minds as the study and the work
went on, until its art, its beauty, as well
as it's strength. and its meaning, became
their possessing passion. Then amidst the
cbstructions and trials that stood in their
way came the compelling sense of duty 10
follow their ideals.
1.-The untold delight Of knowing. and Of
having You, too, enjoy these Ideals, they
believe Is theirs.
.'The creation of a great building is not
unlike the creation of great picture,
statue, a composition of music, great
even more? For il is the, assembled work
of many artists, many scientists, and many
skilled artisans, requiring every part TO
vidual brain and hand yet scontrolled by
mind. the architect, and being finally
brought TO a harmonious whole, the home
OF beauty, comfort and strength.
These men strove to assemble men who
are renowned In all of the varied arts that
must be used in the making of a great
building. They studied and labored strenu-
ousIy. untiringly, unselfishly. that the best
might be chosen. They labored so that
when their work was done the highest
utility and the most perfect art of our
country would be found
This building is distinctly American; It
IS our state and our country.
Not least of all. they built that here in
Indiana there might be a great monument
erected TO the successes of the Republican
party, and to it's future good uses; and
building thus they believed, and now know,
that at the time of the creation of this
monumental building, there would come the
most glorious victory and the greatest USE
fulness OF the Republican party. This
building is not only a monument memoir
ializing political history, but Ii is a monu-
ment in art which will compel the myriads
os men of the future who come within its
presence. and who live within its walls.
TO have nobler purposes in life, TO see large
ambitions ana TO live up to them, thus
disseminate among our people the purpose
and virtues that should posses the minds
and hearts of men.
These men strove to build so strong of
steel and stone that when this new century,
lifting its veil tonight. shall have passed
away, men, living at It's close, shall, ike
us. greeting the dawn of yet another GEN.
fury. sit In these halls and celebrate them
selves in it's past history.
IF you. members of the Columbia Club
approve. and IL you deem these men to have
striven WELL then our institution. its home
our house. is builded on rock
Mr.. President and Mr.. Griffiths repre-
senting the directorate. the building COM
Eittee desires to bear testimony 10 you.
and others helping strong men among us, of