Evening star., 1923-05-07
uncle jOE' At 81
ASKSFA|TH IN us.
Two Cabinet Officers Among
/ NotabIes Attending His
Birthday Party.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
DANvILLE, ILL.,, May 7.-"Uncle
joe Cannon, who served in Congress
through two generations, with a
record and display of personality that
had made his name and black cigar
as well known to school boys as to
politicians, today is celebrating his
eighty seventh birthday and his
home coming from his final session
of Congress.
Joseph Gurney Cannon. for years
autocrat Of the republican party as
Speaker OF the House, is going to
rest for the remainder of his life.
He is going to settle down in Dan
vile. sit back in an easy chair in his
home, and let a younger man take
his place in politics. Uncle Joe" on
his return home from the last ses-
sion. said: I'm tired, I'm going home
to rest"
Since 1873. with the exception of
two terms, Uncle Joe" has gone to
Congress for the people in and
around Danville. He became. before
his hair turned gray. the dominant
leader Of the House. His left handed,
shot-like crack of the gavel on the
speakers stand came to be just as
much part of Uncle Joe" Cannon
as his rakish black hat and his rak-
ishly tilted black cigar
Cabinet Officers Attend.
All Danville and persons of state
and national Importance, including
Secretary of the Navy DENLY, Secre-
tary of Labor Davis, Governor Small.
of Illinois, Governor McCray and Sena-
ior Watson of Indiana are going to help
Uncle Joe celebrate both his birthday
and his political retirement in just
and fitting manner.
To the people who gathered here
and to all the people of America.
Uncle Joe issued the following greet
ing and message:
Friends, this demonstration of
your affection is in itself compensa-
tion for my half century of public
service The extent of my gratitude
cannot be weighed or measured. To
all, my heart goes out in thankful
hess.
1T Is good to have lived and work
ed with you. You are my neighbors.
You are the people l have served in
Congress through two generations
You are the people with whom I in
tend to pass the remainder of my
days.
ITO YOU, to all the people of Amer
lea, from my observance of half a
century. | bring this message: Have
faith. Often you will feel that you
detect great uneasiness. an unrest.
q threatening undercurrent in this
government. This is neither new
nor unusual. I have learned that
America will rise to meet her prob
lens. | have learned that good will
triumph over evil
Have faith in the government of
your fathers Show your faith by
works to support that government
Have faith that right will prevail"
Today the Cannon home will see
another crowd pass in review. for
every time Uncle Joe has returned
home from Congress his "neighbors'
called to welcome him-the school
children among them. for Uncle Joe
is their friend. Today's aSsemblage
perhaps will be the largest that has
ever gathered to honor the veteran
representative.
Secretary DENLY and Secretary
Davis will address the crowd at Lin
coin Park. John NJ. Harrison, pub
Usher of the Danville Comm ercfal
News, will introduce Secretary Davis.
Uncle joe. welding the big stick"
as Of old. will open the Three I
League base ball season here. Sec
retary DENLY will catch the balls
pitched to Uncle joe by Secretary
Davis. while Gov. Small and Gov
McCray will umpire.