The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-13

Mr.. Foster. whose eIoquence made a hit
with the delegates, spoke on "Some Phases
of the Past" After briefly reviewing a
few of the events leading to the war of
the rebellion and the outcome OF that great
conflict and paying a magnificent tribute to
the martyred Lincoln. Mr.. Foster said:
1T is not my purpose TO attempt po-
Itical speech; 1 would not desecrate this
day by such abuse. But j must connect by
phase. When specie payment was success
fully resumed IN 1873 by a Republican ad-
misistratiOn, We know and realize the po-
pitical opposition. But the people were to
be trusted. When in 1896 the tumult of con-
fusion took possession of the opposition to
the gold standard, the Republican party
did not hesitate TO indorse the sturdy side
of national honor in the preservation of the
national credit. Again there was a division
OF conviction, but by the courage and de-
termination OF Grover Cleveland ana his
administration, the credit of the country
was sustained, and this stands and always
will stand as an act OF patriotism and hero
his duty and having the courage TO do it.
lie performed this signal service in the
face of the opposition of his party. He was
repudiated by the Chicago convention and
the divisions in the political party began.
Thousands left the Republican party in
the memorable contest that followed and
joined the opposition. but again the people
were TO be trusted and thousands left the
Democratic party and joined the ranks of
Republicans 10 do battle for their convic-
tions through the ballot box and like
wave of refreshing vigor in 1896 the peo-
pie reJOiced in the triumphant success that
placed labor and capital upon the firm
foundation that dollar shall always be
100 cents, whether paper. silver or gold.
and crowned the act of national integrity
by the election of William Mckinley.
My friends, / will not attempt To tax
you patience much longer. Ii has been said
that the voice of the people is the voice
of God Looking back over the field of
the past, we see the strong hand of
achievement through the possibilities of
human administration AS Abraham Lin
coin came to the country in its needs and
carried the triumph OF freedom to the
bondman and Joined this Union into a ma
ton, William Mckinley, another man
from the West, another of the self-made
giants or patriotism IN soul, In brain and
devotion. cemented this nationality endur-
ingy by the sublime courage of states
manship. He did many things. His great
est achievement was that he merited and
received not only the confidence but as
well the sincere affections of all the people.
The shafts of malice and the abuse of par
tisans struck the bright shield of his in
tegrity OF character, and rebOunded only
10 destroy the very power from which the
thrust was made. he not alone brought
confidence and rest and peace to a dis
turbed and distressed country. but he
bound up the wounds of the oppressed and
drove Spain and Spanish methods from this
hemisphere. He knew no divisions in this
Union, but he clothed with merited choice
the and the boys OF the Confederate
gray and the Union blue with equal author
ity, and made the stars and stripes the
emblem Of allan emblem of union as we'll
an emblem OF liberty. He made il as
well an emblem of mercy and the standard
around which could rally the nations of
the whole world, because it's bright folds
carry security TO ali that is uplifting and
high-minded and just and honorable. He
torn from this people before his work
was finished, but again, in the providence
OF God, his successor is one that may be
criticised, may be censured. may be abused
but during his service in the past and his
character in the present. wherever he has
been placed, and believe wherever he may
be placed. there will never be a moment
of doubt but what Theodore Roosevelt is
irreproachable in character. honest, wise
and patriotic in every detail of his duties.
and is President of the United States
Such, my friends. is my effort TO fill my
part before the Lincoln League OF Indiana
The tribute L would pay l cannot express