The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-12-04

Otis L. Benton, candidate for con-
gress, who was recently guest of
honor at meeting and banquet of the
promoters of the new $40, 900 Y. NJ. c.
A. building at Ellis, made the address
of the evening. The following are
few excerpts from his speech:
kansas is a young state, just little
more than half century old, having
entered the Union at time when civil
strife prevailed in our beloved country.
Our citizenship has seen much of the
frontier life. We have had difficult
problems tie solve in working out our
very existence. / dare say that the
honored citizen, who tonight has by his
philanthropic spirit, because of his love
for the youth of the community and
for future posterity, started this cam
paign with magnificent gift of ten
thousand dollars, has undergone trials
and hardships in his earlier years, the
writings of which would indeed make
very interesting reading.
cit is the noble men and women, who
have fought the battles of the past,
who have subdued the forest and made
the plains blossom as the rose, who
are now coming to the front. Their
hearts and their lives are being touched
by that spirit of brotherly love, that
enriches and ennobles our souls, and are
responding so generously to the call of
humanity and christianity.
kansas people are now being edu-
Gated to give. We have been lead to
believe, that when we decide to build a
college, church or benevolent insti-
tuition of any kind, that the way to
raise the money, is to go down to New
England and interest some millionaire
or some liberal minded friend. With
our splendid crops, our immense bank
deposits, our increasing per capita
wealth the eastern people no longer
listen with attentive ears to our plead
ings for financial assistance In this d.
rection, at least until we make sat
isfactory showing at home And why
has not the time arrived when we
should all enjoy the privilege of giving
the money and building our own insti-
tutions? We and our posterity viii be
the benefciaries, and want to say to
you gentlemen, that it is a privilege in
which we should all partake. :
The future of this great Republic de
ponds absolutely upon the character,
upon the integrity of the youth of this
nation. Men who belong to no church
can join hands with church members in
assisting this Y. NJ. c. A. enterprise,
which is absolutely non-sectarian. As
sist in building resting place, harm
less place of amusements for the young
men in your midst. Young men must
have places of harmless amusements.
If such an institution as you propose tc
build is not furnished, we all know the
great danger that the young men vii
encounter at the critical time and al
the tender age of their lives.
"a Young Men Christian Associa.
ton as viewed by business man, is the
best asset of any community. 1t is the
recruiting station of good citizenship
1t is the place where character is form
ed; where the young men of a town Of
city get visions of higher ideals thai
build into the lives the things thai
count for morality. sobriety and righ-
living. No other institution outside o
the churches and Sunday schools speaks
so well for community. This IS trui
because the Young Mems Christian
Association hedges about the youns
men and boys the influences that star
them right and lead them into lives o
usefulness.
81 am glad to come to EHis and cor
tribute IN any way 1 can to the building
of temple that shall stand as a beacol
light to all young men seeking trutl
and the essentials that make 70
Christian civilization. Speaking as
Z business man. an employer of labor,
i wish to go On record tonight IN sayin
4 that no single institution that may /
reared in your splendid little city vi
bring you greater returns IN all ths
3 contributes TO the eommunity's u
z huilding-efHciency, sobriety al
8 Christian character For these n
8 friends, are the foundation stones
9 cur splendid civilization.
tsWhea heard It was planned
crest here building that Rill house
ho5sand zonne men OF Ellis into q bai