The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-09
Governor Durbin's welcome.

Governor Durbin said: 'On behalf of the
people OF the great State which has I'm this
city its political and commercial capital,
extend to the visiting brethren gathered
here tonight the glad hand Of Hoosier hos
pitality. We Hoosiers are proud of our
grand old commonwealth-we glory In its
splendid hospitality and the advanced rank
1t has attained among the States. But
above all. We rejoice in our citizenship in a
Nation common to all of US. and pride
ourselves upon our country's progress, not
only In diffused prosperity, but in power
toward widened sphere of influence and
responsibility among the foremost nations
OF the world.
National conventions of this character
perform broader service than the mere
advancement of the internal interests of the
organizations which inspire them. BY
bringing together into close social and bus
mess relations representative men from
country, they contribute immeasurably
toward the creation Of that national SOL
idarity which makes the American people
so potent a factor in the worlds affairs
Above all else the last third of a century
of American history has been character
ized by the rise Of national spirit so far
surPassing In intensity that which existed
half a century ago~that IL seems new
creation To what extent the thousands
or national meetings held during that
period, In number and in proportions in
q
cohesive force in American life, we can
only conjecture. But certain IL is that even
travelling men whose outlook is greatly
broadened by continual travel and the edu-
cational experience which accompany IL
will return TO their fields of daily endeavor
scattered from the lakes TO the gulf and
from ocean TO ocean, with a patriotism
broadening toward most boundaries of our
vast national domain.
A GREAT ARMY
I'VE greet you as representatives OF the
great army OF American commercial tray
elers; We might call ii a standing army.
because 1t never sits down, and yet IL
never stands. but is forever on the march
and a double-ouick. with a little rough
riding thrown in occasionally to enliven the
campaign. 1t has not been so very Iorr
since rumors were rife TO the effect that
this great army was TO be mustered out
by captains OF industry who were fo
create system Of commercial exchange
so perfect that the world would oniy have
10 press button and the promoter would
do the rest The travelling man was TO be-
come as much a thing OF the past as the
hoopSkirt or the crime or 73. The trusts
have never been charged with sitting IN
OF nights worrying over their lack OF per-
sonal popularity, but IL seems that they
were not willing TO take chances by calling
during which even considerable portion
of the female population. as most of the
lfdFennS men present mere Tonight Will
readily admit, would have risen up in arms.
Nothing seems more apparent. now that our
first fright is over. than that the travelling
man will remain In increasing numbers as
essential a factor in our commercial oper-
ations the railroad. the trolley or the
telephone. We leave TO dreamers of that
time when the lamb shall lie down with
the lion and be able 10 retain an outside
room, the theory that there Will ever be
perfected an industrialism so sociaiistic.
so free from the influence OF choice and
competition. that the man who keeps things
moving from the wholesaler to the retailer
will be permanently reiegated TO the rear.
So long as IL is human nature that does
business across the counter. the travelling
man will remain the advance agent OF COM
merce.
DEVELOPS BUSINESS.
ION another phase OF this subject I do
not know that / can do better than to re-
peat what ] said by letter 10 the Indiana
travelling selesmen at their recent state
convention. stated on that occasion. and
/ desire 10 repeat IL now. that / doubted
IL there is adequate appreciation by the
business men of the country OF the part
the travelling man has played I'm the devel-
opment of industrial system which, In
these opening days OF a new country and
OF a epoch in American commerce.
which places in the very front rank
OF the WORLDS commercial powers. IL has
been the function OF the travelling man
10 carry with him from the centers OF
trade 10 It's remotest outposts. not merely
lines of samples, but stocks OF ideas. lie
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