The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-17
THE CITY's WELCOME.
City Attorney Kern Speaks on Behalf
of Mayor Taggart.

The city Of indianapolis conveyed its well
come to the odd Fellows through City At
torney John w. Kern, Mayor Taggart being
unable to be present. Mr. Kern said:
Grand Sire, Officers and Members of the
Grand Lodge, Ladies and Gentlemen-It is
a matter OF sincere regret that his Honor,
the mayor of the city is unable to be here
on this occasion, for the reason that he
has handshake and a smile which, of
themselves. speak whole volumes of genu-
Inc welcome speak it in such way that it
could not be emulated in the slightest de-
gree by any words That might be uttered.
lie has been unable TO be here but has di-
rected me 10 come and in his name and in
the name of the 100000 loyal and true citi-
zens or Indianapolis, to give you welcome
Mllnln the city gates, and he charged me
that these words of welcome should not be
mere formal and perfunctOry words, such
as drop from the lips and are to be forgot
ten, but genuine words of welcome, a well
come that is as wide as the boundaries of
the city, a welcome that is warm because
1t comes from the bottom of every one OF
the 100000 hearts within the boundary lines
You come ladies and gentlemen, MEM
bers and officers of the Grand Lodge, to a
city where Odd Fellowship abounds and
where the principles of Odd Fellowship
friendship, love and truth--are indigenous
TO the very soil.
You come to a city which has within it's
boundaries more than three thousand good
and true Odd Fellows, and these three
Inousa anu, anu more Oda FenoWs are the
the city of Indianapolis. [Applause.1
You come TO city of beautiful homes,
of beautiful streets. of beautiful buildings,
or heautlful preceptS and principles, a city
whose citizens have in the past ofttimes
proved their hospitality and will take great
pleasure In proving 1t again TO the satisfac-
ton of the strangers who are in our gates
on this Occa sion.
You come to a city of sad hearts this
morning You come to a city every one of
whose inhabitants is in mourning on &C
count of the awful tragedy which has over
taken the people. You come to city whose
citizens are divided on questions of bap-
tism and creed, but who stand as one man
in their desire for the glories of heaven.
You come to a city whose citizens are di-
vided on questions of public policy, whose
conflicts are fierce in political times, but
you are in city, thank God, whose citi-
Zenship is one to-day in reverence to the
flag and in devotion to the common coun-
try that we all love: lApplause]
You come to Il city whose population is
such In sentiment and principle that if all
cities and all communities between the seas
were of similar sentiments the word would
be sent beyond the seas and everywhere
this morning that the bullet of the assas-
sin and the doctrines of Anarchy may new
er prevail against the free institutions of
America and the glory of the grand old
star-spangled banner. GApplause.l
And | thank God that from my heart
this morning as one who did not vote as
President Mckinley voted 1 can say that
indOrse every word of the beautiful tribute
paid TO the personality of President Nc
ernOr of the State. [Applause.]
Officers and members of the Grand
Lodge and visitors to Indianapolis while
you are i'm a city whose people are sad, we
hope that your welcome may be such as
that you will enjoy yourselves as thor
oughly while you are here as 1t is possible
under the circumstances. The day of latch
strings Is past in Indiana and indianapolis.
They have been superseded by dOorbells
The mayor told me to say to you that it,
when you approach any house in the city
your welcome was such that the doorbeil
was not promptly answered to walk in
and, if you did not see what you wanted
ask for it laughter and If your response
was not immediate, to help yourselves, and
that you would be thoroughly protected
during your stay in the city. [Renewed
laughter and applause
THE mayor desires to thank you that
acting upon his invitation and that of the
citizens of the city a year ago, you are
here. We wanted you to come, we wanted
TO see you, we wanted to get acquainted
with YOU we knew il would be good for
and felt sure it would be good for you.
And now that YOU are here. we hope YOU
will have such good time that all future
sessions of your Grand Lodge will be held
I'm indianapolis and not elsewhere" Jap
Dlause