The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-05

er as he proceeded and his words rang out
he delivered perhaps the most touchingly
humane address ever delivered from the
speakers chair. Speaker Henderson said:
Gentlemen of the House OF Representa-
tiyes-An age spent under tins dome must
give opportunity for forming many and
strong tics. Constituted as 1 have been
from childhood, friendship is an essential
elsmsn, OF my my d es I'd b
found bountiful supply IN this hall. lap
plause.l
Il have seen beautiful AMI instructive
things on this floor; sharp. able, feeling
debate-and debate, gentlemen, is the foun-
dation and sustaining power OF American
liberty. lApplause-J But have seen an
other beautiful thing. When the flag was
raised in war L have seen both SIDES of this
chamber, one man, out $50,@o0o0 into
the hands of the chief magistrate and say,
Lead on without dissenting voice. lap
plause.l | say that. that from that hour l
have believed that there was 10 future mo-
ment when disintegration could come TO
this Republic. lApplause-J And when L
saw the young men from every State of the
| Union touching elbow TO elbow and rushing
INTO the ranks of war. there was absolute
confirmation of that belief. lApplause.l
NO FEARS FOR THE FUTURE.
II have no fears for the future of my
country. Let one be disturbed by the
battles on this floor. AS / said. they are
guarantees of freedom and I approve them.
At times there may be scars left. but they
pie; they are scars that leave the soul
and the manhood without dangerous
wound. For one, go where may from this
hall. shall carry with me in my heart an
affectionate recollection of the friends that
L have met here and / do not know of one
| enemy IApplause.l Whenever | meet any
member of this body in the future | shall
| feel that L meet a legislative comrade, and
know that he will meet a friend. Zap
| plause]
Il am not going to give counsel to this
| body further than to say that there is
| nothing more precious than this govern
| ment for US to fight for: Preserve that
| If you love your life. 1t is more valuable
| than anything that can be named. Go
| on with the rough and tumble battles of
| legislation, but keep your eye on that flag,
which God asks us to die for. lApplause.]
when | took this chair asked the sup
port of this house to aid me in performing
| the duties of this high office which you con-
| ferred upon me. That gavel in my hand
has never been defied by either side of this
chamber. 1t is a pleasure TO say that. 1t
| always has secured obedience, recognition
when order was demanded. Knowing how
excited we are at times, that is a pleasant
Now gentlemen. if 1 know my feelings
toward this body of men, l knew that /
shall carry with me through life the image
of this hour with its general approval and
| treatment of me this morning. l shall
| carry every one of your faces in nv men,
DRY and shall never cease to fee. an in
| terest in this great body which stands so
| near to the happiness of my countrymen.
And now l bid you goodbye"
Towards the close of his address the
| speaker laid down his gavel and reached
| out his arms to his colleagues as he told
| of the love and affection with which he
would treasure the friendships and MEM
| cries of his career in the House. When he
concluded the cheers from floor and gal
| leries echoed and re-echoed through the
hall. The members. with very few ex-
ceptions on the Democratic side. were on
| their feet
Suddenly there blossomed out on the Re-
publican side as if by magic forest of
members sang America" the galleries ris-
ing 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 If to leave the chair when he was
reminded by the clerk at his side. h He
| turned and in clear voice declared the
House adjourned sine die.
Then the demonstration OF applause was
renewed In the midst of II Mr.; Ky Kyle; OF
ing Sweet Land of Liberty" The house
took it up as the members surged forward
to bid the speaker farewell.
| He had descended from the rostrum, and,
standing at the door, they filed by and each
| carried from him some pleasant word and
| cordial shake of the hand.
| A dozen Republican members gathered
on the marble steps behind him, and the
song changed to For He's jolly ,,, GOOD GOD
| speaker that he turned to Mr. Tawney while
| the procession was still passing and asked
him to later write out the words and send
| them to him.
Before all the members had passed the
visitors from the galleries began surging
+ on to the floor. 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 ladies
had thrust bouquets of flowers into his
| hands, and when ex-Speaker Henderson
| finally retired to his room his arms We're
filled with violets, roses and other choice
flowers.