The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-09
Governor Durbin's Address.

In his Introductory remarks at the OPEN
ing of the meeting Governor Durbsn said
Ladies and Gentlemen-I am. grateful
for the honor OF being invited 20 Preside at
this meeting and l congratulate Bou each
and every one on the manifest good that IS
being accomplished as a result of dhe work
In which you are so unselhshly engaged
OF all human virtues charity is pre-emi-
nent, and when il abounds in such prac-
tical results are brought abOst by an
organization of this kind IL cpmmends
itself as cne of the most potent agencies
for the advancement OF civilization well
as the permanent establishment OF a higher
standard of morals.
Il am convinced that even those of you
most active in these works of bepevolence
are building better than you kIfow. The
good that is being accomplished by this and
kindred associations is understood not only
here but elsewhere. In other cities Of other
States il has been my good fortune 10 hear
words OF :sincere admiration ana hearty
commentator of the charities of this
magnificent capital OF a proud and pros
porous State. Our beloved General Harri-
son gave utterance TO a significant truth
when he spoke OF indianapolis, as no
mean city 1t has well earned that dis
tinction because its people demand "a whole
some moral atmosphere now ahd theh We
hear enviOIs comment that IL is simply an
overgrown. country town Insteah OF re-
senting that hippant criticism we should
accept il as a gracious compliment Let US
be thankful that it is not a great metropo-
lis with all the attending evils Of crowded
able poverty and unbridled vice. Let us be
thankful that We are permitted to live in
city of comfortable homes. with ample
breathing room, for the green latwns and
trees. for the vines and fowers--nature's
adornments-to delight the eye and refresh
the soul. And above all let our hearts feel
and our tongues express gra atitude To the
Giver Of all good for the blessings I'm which
share in d community where good fell
lowship exists. where neighbOrly love pre-
walls and charity is unostentatiously OPEN
-
there is less suffering I'm this city on ac-
count of poverty than I'm any other city OF
approximate population on this continent.
One reasof for this is, the fact that our
people have been educated TO pc inde-
pendent. Wage earners a .ule
frugal They want home they may call
their own. and when a man, however hum
bic. earnestly strives TO that end he usually
achieves it. Another reason for the ab-
sence Of poverty, from the pubic view
point Is due TO the wise methods employed
i'm promptly furnishing relief TO the dis
tressed. That Is something for which this
association may pride itself. and its whole
some examples are worthy OF e.nulation
everywhere. And yet II should be soOrne IN
mind that charity organization. in this
city or elsewhere is practically helpless
unless il has the hearty support Of citizens
generally. IL is simply means TO an end,
its success depending primarily on the
generosity Of those who realize the full i'm
port Of ByTOn's words: The drying up OF
single teari has more or honest fame than
shedding seas OF gore The progres 50 made
by this asspciation in the past Is a guaran-
tee OF its future usefulness. The good ac-
complishod by such wisely directes efforts
cannot be measured alone by the amount OF
money expended, but rather by tie moral
influences which tend 10 encourage. unfit
and ennOblA those upon whom the burdens
of misfortune have fallen heavily. In con-
clusion let US accept in our minds and
hearts the trecept:
The truIi generous is the truly wise.
And he WHO loves not others lfYes un-
blest'