The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-29
THAT MINISTER'S ADDRESS.
Rev. Henry Day DispOSeS of Tissue of Sen
tinel Lies and Insults.

guise of au interview, publishes an utterly men
dacious misstatement of facts. The bogus in
terview alleges that only fourteen-not thirty
ministers called at Senator Harrison's and paid
their respects to Mr. Blaine on Tuesday evening
of last week, and that the address read to him as
coming from the ministers of Indianapolis was
signed by only three of them, Rev. John Ala
baster, Rev. James Mcleod and Rev. Henry
Day. The man interviewed, who in the columns
of the Sentinel masquerades as minister but
who does not give his name says he was
tricked into a politco religious meeting" when
he simply intended to call Mr.. Blaine socially,
as he would call on any distinguished man; that
'Dr. Alabaster, the author of the address, re-
fused to receive any amendments" saying he
wanted to give the Republican party BOOST"
that DR.. Mcleod 'in great excitement" rose and
proposed in the address to severely score the
independents; that the two ministers, Drs. Ala
baster and Mcleod, ''wrangled like school
boys" and finally, DR.. Alabaster accepted
slight amendments ito the effect that the
Christian ministers assembled could not indorse
the sentiments of the New York independent
Republicans, etc
A Journal reporter called on DR.. Day. one of
The Doctor mad neither seen nor heard of the
Sentinels Startling revelation" and the re-
porter kindly read it to him.
There is scarcely thread of truth in that
whole story" said the Doctor at the conclusion of
the reading. REV. L. G. Hay and Rev. j. R.
Mitchell visited number of ministers. do not
know how many, and told them such gathering
was to be held on Tuesday evening at half past
o'clock. myself spoke to three or four about
the meeting. 1 started little later than 1. in
tended, and with Mr. Mcleod stopped at the
residence of Rev. H. A. Edison. Dr. Mcleod
had written brief address, and it was read to
Mr.. Edson and at his house we three signed it
Mr.. Edison was unable to go with us, but he was
in full sympathy with u.s. We arrived at Senator
Harrisons somewhat late. do not know ex-
actly how many ministers were there, whether
thirty. or more less. The was well
filed with them. Dr. Alabaster had, it seems
prepared all address, which had been read prior
to our coming and had been approved. Dr. Nc
Leod said he had written something and
courteously pressed TO read it. There was
no wrangling or excitement 1t was then thought
that new address, composed of the two, would
be better, and Drs. Alabaster, Mcleod and my
self made committee to prepare the new
address, the other ministers retiring. DR.. Ala
baster then read each paper, DIR. Mcleod acting
as secretary while l acted the part of listener
and Judge. In this address was incorporated
our disapprobation of immortality in public men.
DR. Alabaster and myself started to go home,
leaving DR.. Mcleod to copy the resolutions for
the reporter. AS we were going out we met a
reporter, and DR.. Alabaster returned with him
to the room AS 1 understand it, when DR.. Nc
Leod showed Mr.. Blaine the resolutions that
gentleman said he wished all the part concern
ing immortality to be stricken out as it might
appear to have reference to Mr.. CleVe-
ODD or,1 ha% Hnnf1 ANA n nd
the words were either stricken out by
Mr. Blaine himself or at his direction. AS a
minister having to do with questions of morals
regretted that it was stricken out. DIR. Alabaster
thought the resolutions were better made short
as they would be more likely to be read Neither
MIR. Hay nor Mr.. Mitchell the gentlemen who
had been about giving notice were able to at
tend the meeting, and DR.. Edison was also I'M
able to be there. By some oversight only Dr..
Alabasters name came to be signed to the ad
dress. He was doubtless considerably nettled at
the attacks made upon him, and on Friday in a
card said while he was willing to take all the
blame the credit should be shared by all the
committee and so published our names"
DIR. Alabaster communicates the following
facts There were no less than thirty ministers
present at Senator Harrison's meeting. All We're
would be embarrassing to them well
as to Mr.. Blaine unless there was some
formal greeting to the distinguished visitor pre-
pared brief address, which he submitted to his
fellow ministers Iof approval II was lndofSeu
without dissenting voice. Presently DR.. Nc
Leod arrived He, too, had prepared an address
At the suggestion of one of the ministers, Revs.
Alabaster Mcleod and Day were appointed a
committee to formulate an address from the two
papers submitted. This was done at once with
out the least wrangling or difference of views
and the result appeared as the address Moth
ing was said about the New York independents,
or about giving anybody or any party "a boost.
The address of the ministers of Indianapolis
to Mr. Blaine was, it will be remembered, as
follows:
The Hon. James G. Baine
Dear Sr-As Christian ministers extend to you,
irres cectve of party considerations cordial well
to city, and we bid you hearty God-speed
1t seems fitting that you are in the city from
which, for other than partisan reasons poisoned
have been shot at you that should at least
refer to that fact hut let You that the
Christian people of this vicinity have sympathy
with any such mode of warfare We, therefore, bring
to you this word of good cheer; and further, beg
leave to say that recognize in you feowcitizen
justly honored, experienced statesman patriotic
leader steadfast friend of both the aborer and the
oppressed; in short, typical American, and, we
trust, the coming President of the United States.
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