Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-05
Speaker Bids Farewell.
Sneaker Henderson said.

Speaker Henderson said:
Gentlemen of the House of Representa-
ives: An age spent under this dome must
give opportunity for forming many and
strong ties. Constituted as 1 nave been
from childhood, friendship is an essential
element of my life's food-(applause)-and
whether on the floor or in the chair, 1 have
a bountlful supply in this hall. (Applause.)
/ have seen beautiful and instructive things
on this floor, sharp, able, feeling debate,
and debate gentlemen, is the foundation
and sustaining power of American liberty.
But l have seen another beautiful thing.
When the flag was raised in war 1 have
put $50,OO.00 into the hands OF the chief
magistrate and say, Lead Or" without a
8Iesentng voice, CApplausel say that
was no future moment when the disinte-
grafton could come to this republic. Gap
plauseO And when 1 saw the young men
from every state in the union touching
elbow to. elbow and rushing into the ranks
ot war there was absolute confirmation of
that Delef. (Applause.)
l have no fears for the future of my
country. Let. no one be disturbed by the
guarantees of freedom, and l approve them.
AT times there may be scars left, but they
are not scars that leave a permanent Grip
pie; they are scars that leave the soul and
the manhood without a dangerous wound.
For one, go where 1 may from this hall, I
feetionate Recollection wjie Hs on on m my f PfaTd an tba ar
have met here. and do not know of one
enemy. Applause( Whenever 1 meet any
- VI inns bOhJ III liz lulDIe Il snail
feel that | meet a legislative comrade and
l know that he will meet a friend. Gap
l am not going to give counse to this
body, further than to say that there is
nothing more precious than this govern
ment for us to fight for. Preserve that IL
you love your life. 1t is more valuable
than anything that can be named. Go on
with the rough and tumble battles of legis-
laton, put Keep your eye on that flag which
God asks us to die for. (Applause.)
When | took this chair l asked the SUD-
the duties of this high office which YOU
Ssnd has never %SS% been @si d eRsi By SsS either en- s ns
that. It always has secured obedience,
recognition when order was demanded.
Knowing how excited we are at times that
Now; gentlemen, If 1 know my feelings
toward this body of men, 1 know that l
of this hour with its general approval and
treatment of me this morning. 1 shall
carry every one of your faces in my
Interest in this great body, which stands
so near to the happiness of my country
men. And now l bid you goodby. pro
longed applause, every member rising in
his place.
Forest of American Flags.
The member with a very few exceptions
on the democratic side were on their feet.
Suddenly there blossomed out Of the repub-
lican side a forest of American flags. Wav-
ing these aloft, the members sang Amer
ica," the galleries rising en- masse to Join
in the chorus. 1t was a stirring scene.
AS the notes of the hymn died away the
speaker, who seemingly had forgotten to
make the final announcement, turned as II
to leave the chair, when he was reminded
by the clerk at his side. He turned and in
a clear voice declared the house adjourned
sine die.
Then the demonstration Of applause was
renewed. In the midst of 1t Mr.. Kyle (O.),
in his sweet tenor voice, began singing
Sweet Land of Liberty" The house took
1t up as the members surged forward to bid
the speaker farewell. He had descended
from the rostrum and, standing at the door,
they Ped by and each received from him
some pleasant word and a cordial shake Of
the hand.
A dozen republican members gathered on
the marble steps behind him, and the song
changed to For He's a Jolly Good Fellow"
and later to God Be With You Till We
Meet Again"
Before all the members had passed the
visitors from the galleries began surging
into the flood, also eager to grasp his hand.
For over half an hour the reception was
continued and finally broke UP with the
singing of the Doxology. Many women had
thrust bouquets of flowers into his hands
and when ex-Speaker Henderson finally re-
tired to his room his arm were filled with
~violets, roses and other choice flowers.