The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-02-02
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES.
continued from rim Page.

hQfO ~
before his election 70 the Gubernatorial office.
He died in this city on the 10th day Of Novem.
Der last His death was wholly unexpected, and
Death is always a terrible visitant, from whose
embrace humanity instinctlvely shdnkS, let
him appear at any time or in any share.
The groan. the knel1 the pail, the bier,
And all we know, or dream, or fear
OF agony
belong 10 him If. however. his approach can be
mitigated in the least, IL may be so when he
comes 70 an old man who can look back over a
pure and unspotted life spent In high places In
the discharge OF important trusts, with his mar
ness stlll upon him, and no biot or bemish OBJ
servable upon his record. Il was this he came 70
the old man eloquent, che champion of the right
of petition In the Congress OF the [ nited states
II was thus he found the greatchtef of military
late civil war and so too, he laid his palld hand
upon the late Governor of the State OF Indiana.
L have SAID that his death wes a shock to his
home friends. Il lad been but few days since
almost the entire population of Knox County
gathered together from all her borders At the
County Fair which almost rivals the state air In
the matter Of attendance. had seen him in the en-
jOyment OF apparent health and TO all outward
appearances the prospect Of having yet before
currence travelled upon the wings of the wind,
leaving in its wake sorrow aud distress The
yiyidly 10 mind the beautiful lines
which Mr. Lincoln was wont to repeat on proper
occasions:
son. why should the spirit of mortal be proud;
Like the swift-hying meteor-a fast-iiying cloud
4 flash of the lightning-a break OF the wave
He passeth from life to his rest in the grave
s"Tis the wink of an eve It's the draft of breath
From the blossom Of health TO the paleness OF
death
From the gilded saloon TO the bier and the
shroud:
Oh. Why should the spirit Of mortal be proudr'
The place of his death was in accordance
with the fitness Of things IL was proper II
should occur at the capital OF the safe
the forum where he had discharged most of the
public trusts committed TO his care, and, as 1t
were in presence OF the people Of the entire state
whom he bad served so long and 80 well, and
thus afford them an opportunity 70 pause amid
the pursuits Of active and busy life aud drop
sympathetic tear over his open grave.
The time too, harmoDized well with the place
He was approaching the close Of
his Official life, having reached the highest round
on the ladder Of fame, beyond which his most
enthusiastic friends could not hope or expect
him 10 ascend higher-when his official work
was done and the time very near at hand when
an account thereof should be rendered to the
Representatives OF the people, and which could
10 the public service and thus relieve him of the
task OF self-laud2ti0n.
The elements, too. sympathized with the occa
clothed in a mantle of snowy Wilderness, EN-
blematical of the pure character that was passing
away from earth 70 higher sphere OF action. Tie
had reached that age when he could not be ex-
pected to retain much longer mental and physical
yigOr, and when the approach of senility anc wan
ing powers OF mind might be looked for. IL sa hap
Ply provision OF thatafter the body has been
distorted and distgured by suffering and disease
rs soon as the touch Of death has dissolved the
mysterious union between the mortal
and the immortal parts, the mortal re-
mains at once assume the customary
appearance of health, so that the last view OF de
parted loved ones by the living will suggest pleas
Ing instead of sad memories. The last age in the
life OF man. a described by Shakespeare. is re-
pulsive in the extreme To the mind. John Ran
dolph lived in constant dread for several years
prior To his death of becoming medtal and
physical wreck. and when musing and com
muning with his own thoughts, was frequently
and Involuntary heard to repeat the couplet:
streams OF dotage from Marlborough's eyes
do flow,
And swift expires drivelng and show"
II were far better therefore that the late Gov
crnor OF the State should pass away at the time
he did, In the enjoyment of his physical and
mental powers, 50 tnat the last recohecuons 9i
him by his friends will always be as ne appeared.
I'm the full vigOr of his manly powers, and not as
antique. and in decay.
The citizens of indianapolis, without regard 10
party affiliations, united In rendering appro-
pirate hOnors 10 the dead Governor And from
my place i'm this House AS the Representative OF
the people Of Knox County, and ON their behalf,
/ now thank them for these manifestations. l
also take great pleasure in abiding publicly to
the fact that the widow Of Governor Morton kind
ly permitted portion of the floral decorations
that had been prepared for and used on the Oc-
casion OF the funeral OF her honored and lament
ed husband, 20 be placed upon the casket contain
ing the mortal remains Of one OF his successors in
office, and assure her that this manifestation OF
sympathy and respect is duly appreciated and re-
membered by his friends.
also thank the ladies and gentlemen OF the
city Of indianapolis. and Of other cities and other
parts Of the State for he beautiful floral symbols
decorations and ornaments which they kindly
and affectionately clustered around his remains
whilst wing in state in this city, and which were
sent with them 10 his country home. They were
all artistic I'm design and execution. and added
much 70 the beauty and impressveness OF the
funeral pageant on the occasion OF his ObSequies:
and yet must indulge the remark that the broken
column OF evergreen and flowers placed at the
head Of his eatafalque failed 70 express signiii-
pf
this harvest of DEATH His career was not premd-
turely terminated or cut short before his lifetask
was accomplished. He died full Of years and full
of honOrs and the emblematcal column that
would correctly and appropriately perform its
once - a. his grave must be be-, tun Fonnded
conveyed on Tuesday, the I'D of November, from
this city 70 Vineenne' in charge Oi q Committee
composed OF distinguished citizens from different
parts of the State, and there were formally deliv-
cred over by this Committee 10 the citiZeus of
that city. The Committee that performed this
melancholy duty found the city Of Nineenues on
their arrival there clothed in mourning il
was never on any occasion clothed before. It's
beautiful and regular streets gliSened ia the No
vember sun like threads Of silver, and were lined
on either side with multitudes OF people
all business was suspended, the bust
draped in mourning The remains were
received formally by the citizens of Vineennes
and deposited in the beautiful Court House Of
Knox County. which was deliberately draped In
black for the mournful occasion, where they lay
IN state, viewed by thousands of his neighbOrs
until Wednesday the 2ith day of November,
when they were conveyed 20 his country hozne,
and were there deposited In the family resldeEee
10 remain for one night, and on the next day
being Thursday, the 18th day of November, The
Gay set apart by the Nation for Thanksgiving OBJ
servances-they were deposited in the grave pre-
pared for their reception In Walnut Grove Gem
etery, situated hts own farm by the side of The
remains Of his wife, who had crossed the dark
valley Of the shadow Of death few months before
him. IL is to be hoped they will be suffered to
floating through the STATE that his grave
had been violated. They were readily credited
from the fact that recently the grave Of 2 distin
giShed citizen of another State had been ISOLATED
and his remains torn from the tomb where loving
hands had placed them, III III showing that Burk-
ism In these after and degenerate days respects
neither rank nor condition. But | am happy to !
be able the public that there is no truth
in these rumOrE and that the remains of the late
Governor have not been disturbed.
But, IL may be asked, Why was all this diplay-
Hfeless remains of plain and simple old man. |
MS Governor Williams was well known 70 be- |
"Can stOried urn, or animated bust.
Back TO its mansion call the Heefing bre2thf
Can hOnOr's voice provoke the Silent dust
Or fattery sOOthe the dull, cold ear OF death7"
No. All hOnOrs rendered 10 the dead are vain |
and useless ceremonies as regards the silent |
sleeper. They heed not. they feel not, they know
not anything Of the sombre pageanffy. Such dis /
plays are useful only "a lessons and as inspsra- |
lions for The living.
1t is right TO appropriately honor the dis /
tinguished dead. The memory OF those who have |
gone before, and who achieved distinction I'm /
life, Is the truest and most genuine wealth Il
Nation can possess. Time. which deteriogates all Il