The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-17
Centennial Anniversary Of the New
York-Avenue Presbyterian Church
at Washington.
DISTINGUISHED MEN PRESENT
CHIEF EXECUTIVE ALLUDES TO con-
OPTIONS 100 YEARS AGO,
And Closes with a EuIogy of the Great
Martyr of the Civil War-secre-
tary Hay Also Speaks.

event IN the centennial anniversary VI inc
historic New York-avenue Presbyterian
Church In this city occurred tonight when
a public meeting was held which was at
tended by many of the best known officials
In the city. They included President Roose-
welt and Secretary Hay, who made ad-
dresses. Secretaries Shaw, Moody. Hitch
cock and Cortelyou. Attorney General
Knox. the greater number OF the justices
Of the Supreme Court of the United States
and Senator Frye. Secretary Hay occupied
the Lincoln pew and had something to say
or the martyred President. Secretary Hays
brief address being confined exclusively to
that topic Justice Harlan. of the Supreme
Court, presided. THE American of 1903.
the date of the foundation of the church.
was the topic OF an address by DIR. John
y. McMasters, of the University of Penn
syivania President Roosevelt spoke as
follows:
'.Mr Justice think the recital of Prof
McMaster has left in the minds OF all OF us
the feeling that while We revere our Rnces-
tors are not wholly discontinued matwe
live IN the present day. To each generation
comes its allotted task. and no generation
Is TO be excused for failure TO perform
that task. No generation can claim as an
excuse for such failure the fact that IT
Is not guilty OF the sins OF the preceding
pose II was a surprise to many or US,
TO realize that hundred years ago In the
days Of the fathers the lot of the poor
debtor WAS so hard. 1t seems incredible
to US now that there could have been such
callousness to the undeserved human suf-
fering then I hope sincerely that CEN
fury hence IL will seem equally incredible
20 the American of that generation that
there should be corruption and venality in
public life applause.
MUST UNITE AGAINST CORRUPTION
I'VE can divide and must divide. on party
lines as regards certain questions, as re-
CARDS the deepest. as regards the vital
questions. We cannot afford to divide. and
] have the right TO challenge the best ef-'
fort of every American worthy of the name
70 putting down by every means in his
power corruption In private life, and above
ell corruption In public life. IApplause.]
And, remember, you. the people of this
government by the people, that while the
public servant. the legislator. the executive
ohacer. the Judge. are not to be excused
Il they fall short of their duty. yet that
thar doing their duty cannot avail unless
you do yours. In the last resort we have
to depend upon the jury drawn from the
people to convict the scoundrel who has
tainted our public life and unless the jury
does its duty, unless Ii Is backed by the
public sentiment OF the people all the work
Of legislator, Of executive officer. of judicial
cfieer are for naught- lApplause.l
Mr.. Justice, man would be poor cit
isen OF this country If he could sit In Abra-
ham LAncoln's pew and not feel the solemn
sense of the association borne in upon him;
and wish to thank the people Of this
church for that reverence for the historic
past for the sense of historic continuity
which has made them keep this pew un-
changed, and / hope II will remain un-
changed In this church as long our coun-
Try endures We have not too many monu-
ments Of the past and let US keep every
IL &l~.% ~s1l~ t.
highest and best of the past as reminder
70 rs equally Of what We owe to those who
have gone before of how we should show
our appreciation This evening sit in this
pew OF Abraham Lncolns together with
Abraham Lincoln's private secretary, who
for my great good fortune now serves as
secretary Of state in my Cabinet. Zap
plause]
A GREAT AND GOOD MAN.
IF ever there lived President who.
during his time of service. needed all Of
consolation and OF strength that he could
draw from the unseen powers above him.
II was Abraham Lincoln-sad. patient
mighty Lincoln, who worked and suffered
for the people and when he had lived for
them to good end. gave his life at the end
If ever there was man who practically
applied what is taught in our churches. it
was Abraham Lincoln. The other day
Hay-a little speech not often quoted of
his. yet which seems to me one of the
most remarkable that he ever made: de-
nvered right after his reelection / think
20 BODY or serenaders who had come, if
my memory is correct, from Baltimore or
maryland. and called for address from
him from the White House. 1t is ex-
traordinary to read that speech and to
realise that the man who made 1t
had just come successfully through a
great political contest in which he
felt that so much was at stake for
the Nation that he had no time to think
whether or not anything was at stake for
himself. The speech is devoid of the least
shade OF bitterness, There is not word
been defeated There is not a word of glori-
fication OF himself or in any improper sense
Notwithstanding the election is over now
that the civic strife has been completed.
for all decent men who love the country
10 join fosetner in service to the country:
and In the speech he uses a Thoroughly
Lincoinlike phrase when he says Il have not
willingly planted thorn in the breast of
any man, thus trying TO make clear that
he has nothing TO say against any opponent
no bitterness towards any opponent that ali
he wished was that those who opposed him
should join with those who favored him in
working toward a common end.
LINcoLN'S GREAT TRAIT.
1T would be trite TO say anything about
Lincoln. and yet 1 am going to point to
one thing: In reading his works and
speeches. his addresses. one is struck by the
tRct that as he went higher and higher
all personal bitterness seemed to die ont
~ him. In the Lncoln-DougIass debates
enc can still catch now and then a note
OF personal antagonism; the man was in the
arena, and as the blows were given and
taken you could see now and then that he
had a feeling against his antagonist When
he became President and faced the crisis
that he had to face from that time on /
do not think that you can find an express
sion. a speech OF Lincoln. word OF
Iincoin's. written or spoken. In which bit
terness Is shown 10 any man. His devo-
tiou 10 the cause was so great that he
neither could would have feeling
against any individual
I'm closing, Mr. Justice, let me say In
thanking you OF this church. the church SO
closely kindred 10 my own Dutch Reformed
Church, In thanking you for asking me here
let me say how peculiarly glad am that In
the chair sits one man, justice OF the
Supreme Court. and that / could be es-
corted here by another man. who has just
est places In the United States army, both
OF whom-you, Justice Harlan. you, Gen
Breckenridge-both Of whom had enjoyed
the wonderful privilege OF proving by their
deeds the faith thai was In them In the
days that tried mems souls. both OF whom
did their part In holding up the hands OF
mighty Lincoln. and both OF whom were
born In the State of Lincoln's birth" lap
pfause.l