Evening star., 1924-03-14

lads who have won into my heart by
their tenderness and faith.
Some things have been deeply i'm
pressed upon me that it is well for me
70 know. or my own bitter experience.
We have all read and thought some
what upon them, but not all have
had the rare and great privilege of
testing their truth In their own lives.
Long has It been said that sweet are
what that strange phrase means. For
from adversely has come strength to
endure and courage to act--strength
TO endure the gibes of calumny.
courage to do the hardest and, l
done, to resign high office while still
the malicious shafts of shame. and
ridicule were hurtling round my head.
Twice War Veteran.
Twice before / have come home
from war, back to Michigan, back
to friendship. back to confidence and
kindness. Now for the third time /
come from war. made hatefu! by
poisoned gas and base Strltagems;
from defeat without shame to well
come without flaw. BY innuendo and
even direct attack, for the first time
in my life, my integrity has been
assailed, vainly assailed. L make bold
10 believe, in the ears of those who
hear me now or who will read my
words in that greater voice, the
press, anywhere In this well loving
state OF Michigan.
But do you think l could have
lived, bathed in filth from day to
day. if l had not known there was
no joint in the armor of my honor?
We talk about good conscience, but
We do not understand until the en-
envy Is trying to crush heart and
soul. Then between us and shame
and despair good conscience and sim
pie faith stand like guardian angels.
These angels and Il third stood ever
keeping open the door of happiness
and keeping out the demons of hate
wife, born and living always in De-
troit.
When your wife can read day after
day columns of abuse and denuncia-
ton and keep always a smile and
never complain and never regret loss
of honors. place and position. so long
AS honor is unimpaired, the world has
no weapon to break or embitter the
soul And from her, too. there will
be no mourning or complaining OF
an unjust world.
Faith Is Strengthened.
OF another thing, too, have l deep
cause for sincere ,rcjoicing-my faith
in my brother men is strengthened,
not weakened by this political tenn
pest, which has broken down my lit
tie house and strewn it upon the
ground. You cannot agine how
Immense the influence, the comfort
of your letters and your messages.
1t has seemed as the letters and mes
Sagcs have fiuttered in, in 4 veritabie
storm of Kindness and confidence, as
though all Michigan. moved by Z
kindly, tender impulse, had deter
mined to give comfort to my wife
and me in the hour OF our trial.
And Michigan has not been alone in
this hrothcrly crusade. The poison
Of each day has had it's antfdote, and
through it all the star OF loyalty has
iilumined the darkness. Thousands of
whom i have never heard have voiced
their resentment against the mock
cry OF justice which has been seen
in Washington.
am so egotisticai tonight that you
viii scarce bear with me longer
fear, but tonight is my night, Is il
not? And for auld lang syne, you
will let me tell you what you have
done for me. and how | think you
have honored yourselves. Believe it
or not as You will, you have made
me 4 better man. You have strength
ened nv love for my feilowmen. You
have proved that the world is good,
that the eternal Verities still govern
the affairs OF men. From a heavy
heart, laden with the joy OF this
home coming. l thank you and pledge
you that you will not regret your
faith.