ADDRESSES Delivered by Wayne C. Townley District Qovernor Illinois Lions Clubs 1923-1924 1924-1925 Of the hundreds of brilliant addresses given by him during his term of office, the Russell' Hampton Com- pany presents these three classics to all Lions in his District, with their congratulations for the many suc- cesses achieved under his leadership. LINCOLN ROOM UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY MEMORIAL the Class of 1901 founded by HARLAN HOYT HORNER and HENRIETTA CALHOUN HORNER $ ADDRESSES Delivered by WAYNE C. TOWNLEY District Qcn-ernor Illinois Lions Clubs 1923-1924 i 924- 1 925 Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln (7/u- following wnu given at the service of dedication of the monument erected above the gra: •■'.as and Sarah Bush Lincoln— the father and step-mother of Abraham Lincoln. The monument was erected through Mr. Townlex's efforts after the State Legislature and volunteer organizations l:ad failed to pro- : ide a SMttobli marker. ) YY/E arc here to dedicate this monument erected W in memory of Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, : the father and step-mother of Abraham Lincoln. Illinois may well recall its contribution to that great life. Here, in this State, were developed those talents which produced that great debater— the superior of a Stephen A. Douglas : Here was developed that orator whose speeches are classed with the gems of the ages : Here was inspired that patriot— ready to hold the horse of a vain McClellan, willing to bear the ridi- cule of a mistaken Greeley, satisfied to ignore the false clamor of a misguided minority; that this nation, of the people, by the people, for the people, might live : Here he gave his "lost speech"— which pointed to his leadership in the Republican Party and paved his way to the Presidency: Here was developed from the rough, unlettered, unknown backwoodsman— the world's greatest citi- zen : Here was the training that gave to us the patient, wise, just, martyred leader who loved his country more than himself; his honor more than his station; his ideals more than his office : And through it all was the influence of the father and step-mother — intangible but powerful : With his struggles came the knowledge of the value of a good heredity through the one and the help of environment through the other. He honored both. We have come to this little country churchyard to pay tribute by the dedicatoin of this granite, to these "whose humble but worthy home gave to the world Abraham Lincoln. " With this privilege comes the opportunity of saying these few words of long delayed appreciation. These two belonged to Abraham Lincoln. "He belongs to the ages." JANESVILLE, ILLINOIS, May 16, 1924 Welcome to the Grand Army of the Republic {This was delivered at a banquet in the gold room of the Congress Hotel at Chicago. Vice- President Dawes declared, when he spoke, that it was "probably the most notable banquet ever held in Chicago.") WE are here tonight in honor of Abraham Lin- coln. The Nation may look with pride upon Illinois' part in the great conflict of which his was the dominant life. Southern Illinois with its vigorous John A. Logan; Northern Illinois with its silent U. S. Grant; Central Illinois with its patient Abraham Lincoln; the Democrat, the man of no party, the Republican, united to save the Union. Lincoln was born in a slave country. He made it a free one. He lived in a weak nation. He made it a strong one. He found disunion. He made a sov- ereignty. As long as history is known will the story of the boy who rose from the cradle so obscure to the eminence so magnificent, encourage mankind. As long as oratory is an art, will the Gettysburg address be remembered. As long as patriotism is a virtue, will his conduct with Stanton be admired. As long as truth, rather than expediency is an ideal, will the debates with Douglas be read. He will be quoted as long as the ages endure. He used to say his life was, 'The short and simple annals of the poor." Rather it was democracy at its best. You Grand Army men knew him and his work. Our recollection of your individual deeds may have been somewhat dimmed by the years but our grati- tude has increased. Your sacrifices have made debtors of us all. Without your response there- would have been no emancipation proclamation, no victory, no union. Without you there would have been no Spanish-American veterans, no Legion- naires ; without you we would have no 48 stars. The Lions welcome you — the old guard. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, February 12, 1925. Introduction of Lt. Gen. Nelson A. Miles (At the time this was given in Chicago, Gen- . Miles I: ad not been a visitor in the city for several years and the people of Illinois were awakened again to the exploits and valor of their venerable leader, then 86 years of age.) IT is common comment that wc have had "hard times" since l c >2(). We have just passed a "had winter." Men long for the "good old days." We have as a distinguished guest of honor tonight, one who may recall "the good old days." We Lions have not forgotten "the hard times" of 1861 when a Massachusetts youth spent all his money raising a company to fight for the North; nor his engagement at Antietam when more men were killed than on any other day of the War; nor that same volunteer who was wounded four times during those four long years; nor the Colonel at 23 who commanded 26.000 men in the field at 25. Caesar had his Tenth Legion hut the Union had its Second Corps. We remember his campaigns against Two Moons, Crazy Horse, Pretty Bear, Big Crow; we recall how I.e slept on the snow without fires in the campaign against Sitting Bull; how he escaped death dealing with Lame Deer; how he rose from the ranks by the sheer force of his own ability. Wi