Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-03-17
ZEE lHDIAAA INCEPTION.
4 Brilliant Affair.
ApDRIss OF VICE PREes DENT colrAS

ADDRESS o. VICE PRkelDRyT COLPAN.
TIE complimentary reception of the Indiana
Republican Climb 70 the President, Vice Presi-
dent, members and Senators from Indiana, ana
evening, was in many respects one Of the most
brilliant as well as delightful entertainments
ever given In Washington. The dancing hall
was beautifully decor ated with flags OF differ
emit natonalities. paintings and evergreens. At
the east end of the room o platform had been
erected and tastefully drapS with flags str cam
dent Grant and Vice President Colfax were
suspended over the seats prov ided for the die
unguished guests. Doneh's full band Of some
twenty pieces furnished excellent music. BY
nine O'Clock the hall was filed with q large and
distinguished company, and the band began
play ing q selection from the opera OF the .'bo-
hemian Girl" and the company formed fer the
Fra Diavolo" was played while the com
themselves upon either side OF the plat
The distinguished visitors then came from the
reception room and took the seats provided for
them. while the band played Hail to the
Chief" Upon the platform were seated Presi-
dent Grant, Vice President Colfax, Secretary
Delano, Attorney General Akerman, Senator
Morton and Senator Pratt. or Indiana; Mr..
Iataeazy, The Russ an Minister; Baron Lederer,
he Austrian Minister; and Senior Garcia, the
Minister Of the Argentine RepGh &c. When all
Ne re seated Colonel g A. Pierce from the floor
addressed them in brief but pertinent speech,
G me, explaining that lndianans resident OF
the city had thought proper to make a slight
demonstration in their honor, at the close of
Their winters iaoors. The result was the pre-
sent gathering.
To this address Vice President Colfax replied
as follows:
REMARKS OF VICE PRESIDENT CcLFAx.
Ladies and gentlemen: 1t is, 1 assure YOU, no
common pleasure TO stand here tom sht in yOur
presence to reply to the welcome you have jus
given us. OF the many pleasant features of
" fNr-v hA.-
agreeable and tended more to happiness and
goodwill than the sociables or the State asso-
CITATIONS held during the past winter. Itwas a
happy thought indeed TO thus assemble together
for social reunion aud Joyous festiyity the citi-
Zens OF the various States dwelling or tenn
rorarly soiourning at the capital. As look
from all parts of Indiana-from the old histori-
cal antagonizing localities OF the Whitewater,
the Wabash, the deep diggings' OF Madison,
ana the racket" as well as from Northern
Indiana, which Senator Pratt and concur in
calling the garden of the State. 1t seems in
deed, as II Home were trapspianted here and as
II we indeed breathed the Air TO- night, and stooi
upon the soil Of our beloved Western State
Although the stormy conflict of war elevate.
more than ever before the great idea OF nation
AMY. and destroyed that heresy that our hi ghest
Devotion and paramount allegiance were due to
the state OF our residence, vet we NAV feel a
pardonable pride in speaking of the auspicious
progress Of our own Indiana, 90 young and vet
so vigorous and powerful. Each deeennial
latIon. Her agricultural resources, the founda-
ton OF all healthy advancement are, wear nv
year, more and more developed. She is ipcreas-
ing rapidly, too, in manufacturing industries, the
backbone Of prosperity to nation, state, or citv
her SOIL ID crossed and interlaced, or rather 1
would say, If the word was not so ugly, grid
the citizens OF her ninety-three counties can
leave their homes and reach their State capital
on the same day. Her benevolent institutions
founded in the darkest hours Of her financial
supported by taxes so cheerfully paid by all
stand with open doors, almost giving eyes to the
oind. and care to the deaf, and ninistering
tenderiy 10 the mind diseased; and all without
rec or reward. And, in her reiormatory insti-
tutsons, the youthful errinR and fallen are
reclaimed TO the paths OF virtue without the
rigorous discipline Of the dungeon or the prison.
But the cbiefest OF all her honors was
achieved for her by her quarter of a million OF
heroes on the battle-felds of the rebellion.
Their indomitable courage, their unseifsh ma
tIiotism. and their self-sacrifc,np devotion
illuminate the brightest pages Of our States
annals; and the honored living and the even
more honored dead are already recognized i'm
the Union.- ~
To the generous confidence and friendly
regard OF this people during the thirty years /
and am to-day. And when the gavel falls AZ
the close of this Congress, and 1 return 10 the
private life in their midst, which long to en-
Joy, 1 shall ever cherish, while this heart con-
tnues TO beat, the grateful recOlections of
Their long continued confidence and their Ter.
sonal regard.
After the speeches the company again PRONE
naCed, ana dancing followed. After "A few
minutes intermission, during h'ch time the
invited guests sat down 10 a table laden with
me creature comforts, the feE tiyities were
again renewed and kept mp until q late hour
morg the guests we're Hon. John Coburn and
lady, Gen. w. III. ii. Terrell, Hon. George b.
Williams. Hon. james y. Tyner and laiy' Miss
Matte Smith. John A. Shankiin, Miss Fla
White, Gen. Mckee Dunn, Major l.. 2. VIII
others. ''