The Portland daily press., 1884-12-05
HIS WAR RECORD.
Mr.. Hendricks at Last Tells Why
He Acted So.
HIS SPEECH AT INDIANAPOLIS,
INDIANA.

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. "A delegation represent
ing the Marion County Democratic Soldiers and
Sailors Veteran Association called Ex-Governor
Hendricks, today, and rendered their congratula-
tions upon the result of the elections. Mr. Hem
bricks, after expressing his thanks, spoke of the
personal attacks and ISLANDERS, which were of such
frequent occurrences during the campaign and ex-
pressed hope that never again would such things
be known. Mr.. Hendricks referred to the charges
made against himself as follow:
During the first month of the war found it nee
essary to correct one of the misrepresentation
made at that time and used the following words,
Since the commenced / have uniformly said
that the authority of the government Of the United
States is not questioned in Indiana and regard it
The duty of the citizens of Indiana to respect and
maintain that authority and to give to the govern
ment honest and earnest support in the prosecu-
ton of the until. In the Providence of Goa, it
may be brought to an honorable conclusion and the
blessings of peace be restored to country, post
poning until that tmeal controversies in relation
to the causes and responsible ties of the war. No
will feel deeper solictude in the welfare and
proud bearing Of Indiana soldiery in the conflict Of
arms to which they called than myself. Senti-
ments thus expressed guided my conduct through
out the war. One of the poticali leaders of the
times has charged that failed jim duty in opposing
the law for draft. To opposition TO the draft I
plead guilty. l found that volunteers were
couraged by suitable bountles and during the first
month of my service in the U. S. Senate l said
Il desire to express the opinion that Congress
ought to encourage volunteering rather than rely
upon WI Oh utcecSlgN Unpopular meas
ure. the draft" did not regard draft a relia-
bio support for the army Prior TO thai time 1867
600 men had been drafted, 5000 entered the SER
vice under draft, 10,00osubstitutes furnished
and 10000 were indaced to volunteer by bounties
which commut4tio enabled the department to pay.
A draft of 125 900 resulted i'll 10000 soldiers in
the field. believed then and have believed ever
since that volunteers, encouraged by suitable
bounties relieving them from anxiety about pro-
vision for their mes, was the best assurance of
support 10 the army. The same politician to whom
have referred, speaking of myself said "He did
not vote in favor of any measure that
looked to carving on the war;" | will refer
but to two acts in the Senate in answer
On the 23d of April, 1864, offered amend
ment to the army appropriation bill to increase the
pay OF soldiers and non-comnissioned officers
sonably in proportion to the then deprecated con-
diton of the currency. thought thai the PROPOSE
tion would be an encouragement TO the army and to
enlistments. My colleague, Col Lane, voted with
that subject. On the same day voted for
the great appropriation bill for the army for the
coming year, and believe it the largest appro-
priation bill ever passed by this government-fve
hundred and thirty millions believe it wts-and it
that appropriation that carried the army the
close of the war, under which Liany battles were
fought, under which Sherman marched to the sea,
and the surrender was made to Grant