Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-11-13

unllOTm support ne ndu received at their hands IN tue
various stations he had been called to fill. The alIusion
made TO his services in the Halls of Legislation, and the
humble part he had acted on several questions, of vital
interest TO the people of Indiana. brought to his mind
many recoHeetions OF a most agreeable character, and
though a detail of the events connecting themselves with
the measures to which reference had been made, would
he out OF place there, he must be permitted to say that
these measures put into practical operation had had
much TO do in eleveting the character and credit of In
diana. both at home and abroad, to the high and proud
position she now occupied, and he joined with the Gov
ernor and those around him in rejoicing at the bright fu-
ture which awaits her in her rapid and onward growth
dc felt more than compensated for what little he might
have done, as a Legislator, to produce this result, in the
evidences of prosperity which he everywhere witnessed
since his returH 10 the State.
He said the Governor attributed much to him, which
he felt he did not merit. He had, however, been the ar
tiicer OF his own fortunes. Thrown, at an early age,
on his resources, without friends and without means, ex-
cept OF his own creation, hehad been compelled TO strug-
gle on, unaided by advantages enjoyed by the wealthy
and opulent. But he thanked heaven that his lot had
been cast in a land of l%iberty-in the Mississippi valley;
a field where energy, industry and enterprise, are almost
certain to meet with a rich reward.
Happy and contented with his lot, he was quite will
ing to have remained a private citizen, at his humble
residence, on the banks Of the Ohio. He had no politi-
cal aspirations. When, in 1916, the tocsin of war SCUM
ded on the banks OF the Rio Grande, obeyIng the natural
impulses Of his heart, he enrolled himself as a private
soldier, to contribute his mite TO the defence OF his coun-
try
BY the kindness and parilality of the gallant sons Of
ln1iana-many of whom are here to-day-he was elect
ed as Colonel of a regiment; but before he assumed the
command, he was, bv the Executive OF the nation, APP
appointed a Brigadier General, unsolicited on his part.
OF his services in that command, the Governor, he
said, had spoken IN a manner which he did not feel that
he meritcd. To the brave volunteers under his CON-
mand, he felt that the honor was Justly due. These,
bis companions in arms. were the gallant spirits to whom
the credit was due. Without their aid, he could have
achieved nothing. He said, that if time and the state
of his health permitted he would be pleased to speak
of the battle of Buena Vista, in order to tell the truth
in regard to some OF its details, although he was not in
the habit Of fighting his battles over again. In this in
stance, the truth Of history should be indicated. In
the course of events, it was his fortune TO take an early
part in the dreadful conflict OF that day. In the front
of the powerful forces of the enemy, he brought the Sc
cond Regiment Of Indiana Volunteers to resist their pro.
gross, and in that critical and trying position, he was
proud to say, that they displayed every characteristic
of valorous, brave and energetic soldiers; and had it not
been for an unfortunate circumstance, not attributable
to them. their efforts alone would have covered the reei-
ment with the highest honors, and probably have decided
the issue of the battle, without the continued and serious
incidents which subsequently ensued. Had that regi-
ment had no higher officer in the field than the Lieuten-
ant Colonel. success would have crowned their efforts,
and the enemy would have been compelled to retire from
before them. in twenty minutes more, instead of the con-
fusion which was the result Of the unfortunate and i'll
advised order TO retreat.
He said that in the course Of his military operations
he had commanded regiments and s~qnadrons from many
of our sister States, among which were the volunteers
from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Louisi-
ana, and while they, and those from other States, were
eQnal to any soldiers on earth. he could truly say that
none were superior to those OF Indiana-none more freely
shed their blood, and none more gallantly done their duty.
Allusion, he said, had been made to Capt. Kinder,
whose friends were all around him, and whose relations
were before him. He was near the Captain when he re-
ceived a severe wound, and ordered him carried from the
field of battle. but he was overtaken and cruelty MUIR
dered by the Mexicans, who spared neither the prisoners
nor the wounded. He was truly a brave man. This
appellation might equally apply to the lamented Captains
Walker and Taggart: and to their noble soldiers who
fell around them, whilst fighting under that flag, (Point-
inO fo the 0aO Of the Raoimenf which was before him
literally riddled with shot.holes.)
He said he was reminded by the tenor of the Cover
nor's remarks. that at the time OF his departure for the
Territory Of Oregon, in 1913, the people of this glorious
confederacy were fearfully agitated by an angry and
dangerous sectional question. The stability of the
Union was threatened. He said that although far away
on the shores Of the Pacific, and amid the mountain wids
Of Oregon, surrounded by cares and perils well calcula.
ted TO engross all his thoughts, he Rad been an attentive
observer of all that passed relating to this momentous
question, and not a day passed that he did not send forth
a silent prayer that the same patriotic selG-sacrIfcinG
spirit of Cancellation forbearance and compromise which
guided and controlled the action of the Fathers of
The Republic, would be exhibited in their sons. He said
that throughout that angry controversy his confidence in
the integrity and political %soundness of the people and
their representatives, remained mistaken.
He would not and did not permit himself to doubt that
a high sense of patriotism and love of Union, would bring
together the practical men of both of the great political
parties, and that a compromise would be made on a fair.
Just and constitutional basis. His hopes. he said, had
been truly realized. On his return the olive branch and
the bow OF promise was visible IN every portion o! the
Union, and it was truly gratifying to him to know that
the voice of Indiana during this struggle, had been
heard on the side of the Union, and her political power
mainly given in support OF the compromise measures:
He was proud TO know that the Senators and most Of
the Representatives from Indiana, gave these measures
a cordial support; and more than gratifed to find, that
since the passage OF these measures, the great body of
the people of Indiana have given an unmlstakable evi.
dence Of their approval of them, and their determine
ton TO abide by the compromises oil the Constitution.
Ii time and the state Of his health permitted, he said
he should he willing to amplify on this subject, but the
hour and the occasion admonished him to be brief. He
should therefore content himself with the general re-
mark, that the compromise measures, each and every
one of them, met his cordial approval, and had he been
a member Of Congress, he should have voted for all OF
them, including the fugitive slave law, which was a
measure absolutely necessary TO carry out one OF the
compromise features of the Constitution. They were
all right; but this was the best measure OF all. The
81; v ry question, he said, was always a dangerous and
ex, it NO one, and he had always been opposed to the
agitation Of it. The people OF the free States had no.
thing TO do with il. They should leave it where it is,
and where the Constitution has left it, aud it could never
be agitated without endangerlng the int grity oil the
Union. He was, he said, a Union man, and to preserve
the Union, the Constitution must be carried out in its
letter and its spirit; politically, he recognized no law
above the Constitution. He hoped every citizen of In
diana would be found supporting these measures, and
frowning on every attempt further to agitate the slavery
question.
the Presidency. He wonld deal plainly and frankly with
his fellow citizens. He had never aspired to that high
office. There were several talented, worthy and excel
lent Democrats spoken of in connexion with that high
station. or these he would name Cass, Buchanan,
Douglas. Houston, Butler and Marcy, either of whom
he would cordially support. He hoped that every
Democrat IN Indiana and in the Union, would be found
zealously supporting the nominee Of the National con-
vention. That nominee, let him be who he will, must
he elected. He had had no agency in placing his name
in that connexion, yet he Stunned no responsibility, and
if the choice should fall on him, he should endeavor faith
fully to discharge the duties.
He now turned, he said, to another subject which to