The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-08-02
ENTHUSIASM

sentiments of the speakers, and that
they indorsed, without equivoeation,
the general tone of the meeting s
Gen Which and his German friends
in Indianapolis may we'll feel proud
of the manner IN which the reception
was gotten up and carried out, and we
hope the General will leave our city
in the full conviction that his friends
at the Capital of Indiana are legion.
We have; at considerable expense,
procured an acurate translation of the
General s speech, fih German, which
will be found below, together with
that of Gov. Morton and Mr.. Seiden-
sticker. 5.a 81 I5s
GOV. MoRToN's ADDRESS.
Gov Morton was introduced by
General Kneffler and spoke substan-
TALLY as follows: at % 3
We have assembled here tonight
for the purpose of testifying our re-
CARDS to General Willich, the hero
and patriot one of the great historic
characters of the age. General Viii
Itch S career has been so distinguished
both in America and Europe, that he
has won MOTTO be forgotten histori-
cal reputation. He was an officer in
the Prussian army before coming to
this country, and no officer in all that
army with brighter prospects. than
those before General Which. He
stood high in the confidence of the
King. But he was a republican at
heart and deemed the hallow pomp
Of despotism light compared to the
liberty of his countrymen. His ex-
pressed opinions drove him into exile.
He engaged in a struggle for the lib
erty of his countrymen, and was de-
feated. There is a grand simplicity
in the character Of General Which
which has endeared him to the hearts
of the people of both continents.
When General Willich was unsue-i
cessful in his endeavors to gain the
freedom of himself and countrymen,
he came to this country, believing in
the principles at the foundation of its
government, and became an editor,
advocating IN an able manner the
principles which he had before advo-
Gated with the sword. When the war
broke out he again buckIed on his
good blade and fought for the same
principles for which he had already
suffered so much. $50 S
He came to this city in 1861, after
having served as Major in an Ohio
regiment during the three months
campaign in Western Virginia. He
was authorized to raise the 32d In
diana. In remarkably short space
of time the men were enlisted and its
organization completed, and it was
soon distinguished for its good disci-
pline, and gave evidence of the great
efficiency of its military instructor by
its drill and the soldierly bearing Of
its members. Four companies. went
to Kentucky, and participated in the
first battle fought in that State-the
battle of Rowlett's Station. 1t was
not excelled in any respect. by any
regiment in the field from this State,
or any other. 1T the expiration
of the service of the men con-
stituting this organization, they re-en-
listed almost to a man, and served un-
til the close of the war. Gen. Will
Itch remained as Colonel of this regi-
ment until promoted for meritorious
service, to the rank of Brigadier Gen
after entering upon the general cam
paign, yet the regiment still remained
under his command subsequent to this
event. He participated in the battles
of Shiloh, Stone River, Chicamauga
and Resaca, and was severely wound
ed at the battle of Resaca. At the
battle of Stone River he charged
through the enemy's fir st line and was
taken prisoner. He was confined in
Libby prison for three months, and
there suffered hardships with his
brother patriots that words are power
less to describe. He was at last ex-
changed. There are those. on the
stand who suffered in that prison pen
with General Willich. Gen. Coburn
was confined there at the same time.
81 He has been the advocate of liberty
in the Old World and the New. His
political opinions were not lightly
formed, nor had they been cheaply
held They cost him rank and doomed
him to exile. The records left on the
annals of history by Lafayette, Baron
Steuben, Pulaski. Kosiusko and Bar
on De Kalb has been duplicated by
General Willich, for he ranks side by
side with these. His military record
is greater than the four combined,
The Governor concluded by introduc-
ing General August Willich, the pat
riot, scholar, hero and soldier. To
which General Wilich responded as
follows:
GoUernor and Felloao Citizens:
About seventeen years ago, on the
other side of the Atlantic, Twas con
demned by kings courtmartial to
die the death ofa rebel, because I be-
lieyed in the rights of men, and tried
to maintain them with the sword
against the established monarchical
powers of the old world.
To-day stand before the Execu