The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-12

purpose to speak words OF condemnation.
I have no bitterness in my heart this day,
and no one has the right TO pass In Judg-
ment upon the act OF another. L only seek
to show that the responsibility for the acci-
dent is a human responsibility and TO point
out the inevitable lesson which Is brougnt
home to us with such distinctness.
L the students of Purdue University i
wish to say that you are undergoing a
training calculated. to an unusual degree
TO impress upon you the power and un-
~changeability of the laws of nature. NO
other class of students is so well informed
on the subject as you. In the natural course
OF events your lifework will hereafter con-
sist in directing and operating natural
forces. In addition TO this special training
you are now brought face to face with an
appalling instance Of human disregard or
these principles. 1t should be a lesson IN
effaceably impressed upon your minds to
be true to your responsibilities and honest
in the performance of your duties. Our
Great Brother has stated one of the laws
of humanity to be, Thou shalt love thy
brother as myself Had some one in a re-
junction on that fatal morning his neighoors
had not persisted and his human brothers
had been spared this unutterable affliction;
Some who sit here to-day sustained the
closest ties to those whom We mourn and
to them 1t seems as IL there could be no
pensation for the loss. We feel for them
as brothers and mothers. as sisters and
brothers feel for their kind. / have been
impressed in these latter days by one pre-
uOIliludul lccliuS NUlCH udS per GIL
with whom I have come in contact-stu-
dents, instructors, and the public In gen.
eral-the spirit of kindly feeling, Of hope
more unfortunate one. 1t was apparent in
the first moments after the awful crash
when the injufed ones WED with each other
helped; in the quiet and efficient way IN
which the uninjured went to the aid of their
comrades; in the hospitals where the poor
to show a smiling face to their ~neighbors;
in the delicate sentiment which prompted
the Indiana students to drape their colors
with PACK; in the many expressions naS IN ,S or
evident desire Of every one to do something
to mitigate the sorrow and suffering. Then
bringing a modest box of flowers for the
hurt Purdue boys Literally In thousands
and thousands of hearts there was awaken
Never have | looked into such faces
as those which were M in this
hall at the first meeting of the university
after the disaster. Everyone showed the
Never again will those young men and
lives there will remain the profound i'm
preston produced by this event. Not one or
them but will be a better man and woman
as the result of this affiiction, and through
them there will go out a better influence
upon all with whom they come In contact.
The impact of that collision on the morn
luS VI Ocl. oil VIII Stuu It's NlDIdtlOuS III
the heartstrings of the race for generations
to come.
A GREAT AWAKENING.
Now, who can measure the extent or
value Of this awakening of the best quail
tiles in the hearts of our people and our
students, both in Purdue and other institu-
tions. That it will be a mighty influence
for good must be admitted. Nor could
such a result have been produced by any
thing less than a sudden and heart
rendering calamity. Could those who died
nave lived to the full limit of life. and
could they have been granted the full rea-
sonable expectancy of human success. it Is
doubtful IL they could have made a deeper
impression upon their fellow-men or touch
ed more hearts TO kindness, or aroused
more human sympathy than they did in
death. Shall we say that their death was
In vain? That there is no hope, no COM
fort to be found in their loss? No indeed!
Out of their loss has come an immeasur-
able gain. These young men did not live
for naught; the short span of life granted
them was rich in its results. They were
not offered up a useless sacrifice, but in
death they achieved a manifold victory
over the errors and evils OF their brothers.
The Spartan mothers of old were proud to
dedicate their sons to their country. A
modern civilization, but one no less in need
noblest sons to the end that man
ly virtue and human kindness should
not die out in our breasts. Let
IL not OG Sdid tAdt No ibS "a III
bility of the sacrifice or the value of the
results. 1t is we'll for US. as members of
the university community, to assemble
here In these exercises In memory OF our
dead and to learn anew the lesson which is
taught by any good life.
Il have often been concerned, and now
1 feel ii more than ever, about the tendency
in our university life to disregard many
of the things which enrich and beautify
existence. What one of us to-day does not
regret having neglected to say or do some
thing helpful to these comrades TO whom
we may no longer render any service?
Suppose to-day We could, for a short time,
recall them. what would be the nature of
our last words or acts. We now are full
with sympathy and a desire to help them,
but how many of us ever expressed any
thing of the kind when we had them with
US? How much selfishness and thought
lessness we might. with profit, displace by
generosity and sympathy in dealing with
our fellows.
Il would not nave less virility or less
sturdy independent manhood in our life
at Purdue, but / would have cultivation of
the qualities of unselfishness and courtesy
which have characterized the greatest and
best of men.
.These are things which We may learn
from the life and death of our comrades.
Some of them had been In the university
but a brief time. others for the full span
of a student generation, and each has left
his impress upon the community and each
has presented the example of a strong
noble life for our imitation. 1t Is for us to
reverently accept this priceless heritage and
/ See 10 IL lldl IN IN oS Nhdo ot olial
not be lowered. In one or another form
the memory of these men will be perma-
nently preserved in some enduring material,
but the tenderest memory is that craven
on our hearts and the most worthy monu-
ment to their glory will be the noble char
acters of generations of students TO whom
their life and death has been an inspira-
ton and example,
ADDRESS OF MR.. QUITS.
At the afternoon memorial service Oliver
y. Cults, the Purdue football coach. whs
was in the first coach of the Inflated spe
cial, narrowly escaping death, delivered
a eulogy on the lives of the victims OF
the disaster. 1t was necessary for him {,
hobble to the stage of Fowler Hall OF
crutches. his injuries not yet having healed
His address was one of the most eloquen
ever heard at Purdue and was listened 4
with rapt attention by the great throng IL
the chapel.
Mr.. CurIs spoke of his personal relations
with tn football men, OF their conscienti
Gus ire ming and of it's influence upon them
mot a man amo-g all the victims showes
a tremor when death came" he said
1 .sTb ave- NJ NOT a s~uuifter' Among them |"