The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-09
Ex-Prestdent CleveIand,. Address.


Mayor Low delivered an Introductory ad-
dress and then introduced former Presi-
dent Cleveland who said:
Mr. Chairman, and Ladies and Gentle
men-I claim the right to join in these ex-
ercises for reasons peculiarly my own I
am here I'm obedience to an impulse that
will not be denied; and / am accredited to
this assemblage by a condition OF heart,
and by an influence which has been strong
within me for many years.
"It Is now more than forty-nine years
ago that I heard I'm Plymouth Church a
sermon whose fmprcssiveness has remaifred
fresh and bright in my mind during all the
time tnat has since passed. In days of trial
and trouble perplexfty its remembrance
has been an unfailing comfort, and in
every time of depression and discourage
ment the lesson II taught has brought res
torafion OF hope and confidence. l remem.
ber, as IL Ii were but yesterday, the fervid
eloquence of the great preacher as he cap
tivated my youthful understanding and
pictured to my aroused imagination the en-
trance or two young men upon the world
jostling activities-one laden like a beast
of burden with avaricious plans and sordid
expectations and the other with light step
and cheerful determination, seeking the
way of duty and usefulness and striving
for the reward promised to those who love
and serve God and labor for humanity.
have never for a moment lost the impress
sion made upon me by the vivid contrast
thrillingly painted In words that burned
between the two careers; nor have / ever
failed to realize the meaning of the truths
taught by the description given of the
happy compensations in life and the peace
and solace in death of the one and the
racking disappointments in life and the
despair I'm death of the other What this
sermon has been to me in all these years,
alone know. present it's recollection to-
day as a personal credential of my own,
especially emitting me to representation
amocg those who meet to recall and me-
mOrialize the fame and usefulness Of Henry
Ward Beecher.
II am not here however, for the pur-
recollection nor solely to acknowledge the
personal benefit and service 1 have received
from the teaching of the illustrious dead
worship which is but another name for a
reverent recognition of that greatness
which manifests itself when humble faith
service I'm the cause OF humanity's eleva-
tion and betterment
HERO WORSHIP.
1T has been wisely said that hero wor-
ship will endure while man endures. Let
US accept this as a pleasant truth-upon
the condition that the man qualities
worshiped and the manner of their wor-
ship are the very essence of matter. Let US
believe that there is no sadder symptom of
a generations bad moral health than its
lack of faith in its great men and it's loss
of reverence for its heroes, but let this be-
lief be coupled with the reservation that
those called great shall be truly great. and
that the heroes challenging our reverence
shall be truly heroic, measured by stand
ards adjusted TO the highest moral condi-
tions of mans civilization.
I'VE cannot have the least misgiving
concerning the completeness of the hero
whose name is on our lips tonight and
whose memory issin our hearts. Should
hero's aims and purposes be high and no.
BILE? Our hero devoted his life to teaching
the love OF God and pointing out to his
fellow-men the way OF their souls saliva
tion. Should he be unselfish. self-saerifcing
anu eenerouss Ine seii7sacrifice OF our
and his life will be searched in vain for a
selfish. ungenerous act. Should he be
courageously and aggressively lover Of
his country and a champion or freedom
Our hero. In the days of his country's dan
ger and trial. challenged all comers in de-
tense OF our national safety and unity.
He stood like rock against doubters at
hone. and he confronted angry. threaten
ing throngs abroad with steady. unyield-
ing courage which wrought triumphs for
manhood-freedom not less important than
those OF an army with banners. Should
he be brave and patient under personal suf-
fering and affiiction? Our hero. when af-
fiictions came from heaven, submissively
continued to praise God. and when he felt
the cruel stnss or mans ingratitude and
malice ne serenely looked towards his
Heavenly Fathers face and kept within
the comforting lsht of a pure conscience.
Should hero crown all his high moral
attributes with great and beneficent
achievements? Our hero led thousands
upon thousands 10 the way OF eternal life:
ne surrounded religion with cheerful
brightness and taught that IL grows best
In the darkness OF terror but in the
constant sunshine of Gods unfailng love:
he performed the highest service to his
country in "A spirit of absolutely pure pa
triotism and self-effacement. His daily life
and influence were blessed benefactions TO
his countrymen far and near. and by no
means the least of all he did he created
Plymouth Church and kAdled there a
light OF Christian faith and hope whose
unwayerfng and unwaning warmth and
light have In every corner OF our land
dispelled the chill and gloom OF doubt and
fer.
I'VE desire to establish a memorial to
our hero. We know that there Is no need
OF duplicating a reminder that Henry Ward
Beecher has lived and il no longer with US
In the body. We know that neither monu-
0el, nor memorial avails 10 the dead. and