The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-15
Senator Fairbanks's Address.

When General Dodge introduced the first
speaker of the evening. Senator Fairbanks.
he created a great deal OF amusement by
apparently forgetting the senator's name.
Senator Fairbanks responded to the toast.
1.-The President OF the United States.' in
an address that made a profound impress
sion. He said:
''The Army of the TENNESSEE What a
brilliant chapter that army has written.
What splendid names il has given to the
martial history of the world. We stand
uncovered before the survivors of the in
Vincible army OF Ulysses 5. Grant and Will
liam T. Sherman and reverently thank God
for the arduous deeds they wrought in the
hour of their country supremest peril
THE toast you have assigned me is close
to the hearts of the American people-'The
President Of the United States The man
who holds in his hands in a very special
degree the welfare of the American people,
a people brave, GOd-fearing. loving liberty
as the very air, has trust of the highest
order. Under our system of government,
even with all the checks and balances
which the Constitution provides. the chief
executive possesses at times almost infinite
power. What mighty power for goodi
What illimitable power for evil The honor
OF the President is the Nations glory; his
dishonor is its shame.
THE office OF President OF the United
States. with possible exception. has been
filled by men Of high character and exalted
purpose from George Washington TO Theo-
have opposed their economic views and
challenged their administrative policies, but
there has not been an occupant OF that
great office who has not desired his cOun-
trys highest welfare.
"The President Of the United States is
no hereditary ruler His birth was not
heralded by royal courts. He has always
come from the ranks Of the people The
log house often has been his birthplace.
and he has been nurtured, not amidst the
pOmp and pageantry of place and power.
but amidst the severe eXaCt1OnS and tho
stern duties and realities OF life which sur
round the typical American home. Place
and power have not been his birthright.
They have been achieved by the force OF
his own genius and the merit of his own
.The President of the United States has
never suffered in comparison with the most
august sovereigns upon this earth No
filter place than here, amidst those who
have served I'm the field 10 contemplate the
President Tor out OF the name OF pattle
many of our Presidents have been born.
Those who have stood against the pitiless
hail OF war and who have been skilled in
the art of arms have been most trusted
by the people in the field Of statecraft
From Washington until this hour we
| serious questions. Some Of them have been
with foreign powers and others have been
Of purely domestic concern. Some OF them
have shaken the Republic 10 its very
foundations. The instance Is. indeed. excep-
tional where the President has been unequal
10 the emergency, and so well has he usual
]
that his election seems 10 have been often
prOVidential.
"As We recede from the events through
which the United States has passed i'm her
brief and brilliant career. after the captiOus
criticism OF the hour has been forgotten
and factional feeling has subsided and we
view dispassionately the services OF the
Presidents we find that In a large way they
have served well their day and generation
and have added 10 the Nations strength.
honor and glory.
A BRILLIANT ROLL. !
What were the United States without
the name Of Washington ?-the President.
austere. patriotic he laid strong the foun-
dations OF the Republic; strong as the solid
rock He taught high conservation 10 the
public will self-sacriice in the cause OF
his country. He was vertlable pillar OF
fire by night and a cloud by day. guiding
from the beginning 10 this blessed hour. our
inexperienced feet In the pathway OF right.
THE elder and the junior Adams. prouc
products of the majestic commonwealth OF
Massachusetts. dignified the title or Presi-
dent OF the United States And Thomas
were our history without that magic name1
And Madison and Monroe. They exalted the
chief executive Office. There Jackson.
old Andrew Jackson. more known and bet
ter known by the sobriquet. old Hickory
than as Andrew Jackson-a man OF in-
flexible purpose and strong Intellect: tho
faVOrite OF the masses Without mentions
ing all-time will not permit-we may re-
call Harrison and Tyler, old Tippecanoe
and Tyler. too linked together forever In
immortal song.
I'VE viii pass the nlustrious ron 20 an
other President OF the United States one
whose character stands with the greatest
Abraham Lincoln. Divine Providence