The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-06

ure of hearing from during the progress of the
meeting, and also from Judge Biddle, his col
league on the supreme bench.
Another member of the convention, General
William Mckee Dunn, for many years held the
important position of Judge Advocate general
of the United States army. He IS present and
you will no doubt have the pleasure of hearing
from him before our adjournment
Mr.. Dunn's colleague in the convention,
Michael G.. Bright served in the important po
sition of Agent of State, and died in this city
after long sickness, universally lamented
Horace E. Carter. who was elected Reporter of
the Supreme Court, was the third member OF
the convention to die.
Two were elected Auditor of State-John P.
Dunn and Joseph Ristine-both long since dead.
Two were elected Treasurer of State-Wm. r.
Noffsnger and John l. Morrison-both of whom
also dead.
cities-Grafton F. Cookery, mayor of Terre
Haute, died recently, but John A. Graham,
mayor of Peru, am glad to see, is present at
this reunion
There are many others equally worthy and de-
serving, no doubt, who were less fortunate in
their aspirations. or who, perhaps wisely chose
the more peaceful and quiet walks Of private
life.
1t is source of qualification that after thirty
five years | cannot recall that any member of
the convention land it was a numerous body
was ever prosecuted for violation of law or
even accused of dishonorable act In their
day and generation they were important factors
in holding the institutions of their country and
in conducting its affairs. Their name and fame
are the common property of the State, and when
its annals are properly written will not be for
gotten. They deserve to be held in grateful
and affectionate remembrance bv all.
1t was a noticeable fact that the body was
composed of men in the prime and full vigor of
lfe there being, as far az | know, but one mem
Der under twenty five years of age and but
over sixty-six They were, in the main, heads
of families, there being less than dozen un
married men in the body and most of these, |
believe, made amends to the fair afterwards.
have no information as to the age, at the
time of the convention, of some half-dozen of
the members. have already stated that one
was under twenty -hve and one over sixty six.
AS to the age of the others at that time, sixteen
should be classed at from twenty five to thirty,
fourteen from thirty to thirty-fve, twentyseven
from thirty-fve to forty, twentysix from forty
to forty five, twenty five from forty five to fifty,
fifteen from fifty to ffty-fve twelve from fifty
five to sixty, and four from Sky to sixty-six.
1t Will thus be seen that the convention was
composed of men then in the meridian of life,
the bulk of them being from thirty-fve to fifty
years of age.
Mr.. VanBentEusen, a delegate from Shelby
county, was the first to die. This was in the
order OF nature, as he was seventy-two years of
age and the oldest member of the convention.
But death, to show he is no respecter of persons
or of age, took his next victim Mr.. Bascom,
who was only twenty-six and next Mr.. Carter,
who, think, was the youngest member of the
convention.
Where are now the one hundred and fifty hale
and vigorous men met here thirty five years
years ago, full of honorable ambition and busy
with all the joys, and sorrows, and anxieties of
life?
o. the long roll I called so often then, as sec
rotary of the convention how few are left to
answer now, and how near the time when none
will be left to respond What sad reflection is
this to those of us who are still here! Who will
be the next to got Who the last to surviye9 1t
is perhaps we'll we cannot lift the veil of the
future.
1t is enough that it will be but a little while
now until every member and officer of that
great body which framed the present Constitu-
ton Of the State will have gone to his eternal
rest. One hundred and seventeen have already
been called away. A little band Of only thirty
three remains. And when the summons comes to
those of us who still are here ITO join the innu-
merabie caravan that moves to that mysterious
realm where each shall take his chamber in the
silent halls of DEATH" may he, with conscious
ness of duty faithfully performed, and 'sus-
tanned and sootbed by unfaltering trust,
approach the grave like one who wraps the
drapery of mis- couch about him and lies down to
pleasant Dreams"
HON VIM. MCKEE DUNNS SPEECH.
The next speaker was Hon. VIM. Mckee
Dunn, who, in the Constitutional Convention,
member from jefferson county. He was
now resident of Washington City General
Dunn said that the venerableooking men be-
before him are the survivors of that body of $50
delegates, who, in the prime of life, assembled
here thirty five years ago to devise new consti
tuition for the State of Indiana. Another gener-
alton is on the stage of action. and great events
have occurred III that lapse of time. We are so
far removed from that convention by time and
the great events that have occurred in our
country that, he said he looked back to it as if
he had not been q member of that body. and as
if the member who had answered to his name
was not himself but some old acquaintance who
had long since passed away. He had scarcely
opened the volumes of the debates of that con-
venton since their publication GHti, within the
last two weeks and in what took place then he
could judge himself and associates poSterity
judged them.
General Dunn, after touching upon several
matters that came before tho body and of the
way i'll which they were disposed of, spoke with
some warmth of the nhumane, and cruel PROPOSE
tons that were introduced, advocated, and some
of which passed into the Constitution, in regard
to the colored race He was thankful that his
vote was recorded against the thirteenth article
at every step of the proceedings and at the close
and that he had Joined posterity in its emphatic
condemnation of that cruel article, although it
had been adopted by so large q majority. In
our form of government" said General Dunn,
the will of the majority must rule, but it by no
means follows that the majority is right"
IhlS reference to the Democratic black laws
of Indiana created considerable sensation among
a number of prominent Democrats who occupied
seats upon the stage.
REV. o. P. BADGERS REMARKS.
Rev. Oliver P. Badger. member of the con-
vention from Putnam county, was the next
speaker. He spoke as follows of the dead mem
bers:
Aud. first call to mind the genial and gentle
promise. nor did he disappoint the hopes of his
friends. Judge Niles, the eloquent, the pure
statesman. the able jurist. John Petit was
massive, bold, defiant. strong and earnest in
defense of what he felt to be right Next was
the cool and calculating Dobson, of large inner
ent powers He was a firm friend, a safe coun-
seor, an honest man. Near by sat the brilliant
young Carter, long since become the victim of
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