The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-06

This was inconsistent with the enthusiasm of
patriotism. but it is no new thing to turn back
after putting a hand to the plow
In every civil war there are two parties
smaller in mum Der than those actively engaged,
and each sympathizing with the enemy
In the South were Union people and
In the North were secessionists. So far
as they could, and dared. the secessionists of
Indiana thwarted every plan of Governor Morton.
Political opposition was supported by conspira-
cy A day was appointed for general rising;
rebel officers were at the. Bates House lin dis
guise. OF coursel to take command; arms for
the conspirators arrived. The alert Gov
ernor. however, opened the boxes, find
Ing not only arms. but fuse nearly
mile long, and Greek fire for confagration
The Knights of the Golden Circle were baked
But conSplrators never represent or can repre-
sent. an American party. Honest difference of
opinion which most often exists. never seeks TO
hide itself under a mask black as Erebus. nor
In smiles and affability.
In the summer of '63 we had another fright,
this time from the outside.
TWAS Wednesday, the 9Th of July. and the
evening was as as peaceful and as silent as if
mo war or battles sound was heard the world
around" when suddenly came a loud clank of
the alarm bell Then there was minute, or
five minutes, of deathly stiffness. Another
stroke! Another awful hush! Then clang, and
cIangor, and clamor, roar and uproar of bells
When the bells stopped the air was flied
with the stir of mighty multitude. All
the town was streaming towards the Bates House
l can yet hear Governor Mortons ringing voice
from the Bates House balcony: John Morgan
is coming. He has crossed the Ohio He is in
Indiana. He has with him 4. coo or 5000 horse
men and artillery. Organize without delay. Go
at once'to your wards" John Morgan was a
wild Kentucky trooper, with wilder troop at
his heels Burning barns was fun as we'll az pol
and pantries, stealing horses and money
necessity of war and their business.
The banks sent their gold and most of their cur
rency to New York; the Branch of the State
Cancelled $23. 600 of its own issue, and shipped
$500 900 in gold and currency. People concealed
their valuables and hurried to enlist. Within
three days 80. 900 men were organized into regi-
ments &c, 600 coming in from the country al
though it harvest time. University Park,
all the central streets, and Virginia avenue to
the depot were crowded with men who. at the
CALL had dropped everything and caught up
their knapsacks. 1t is said that prominent
officer, 10 haste to give certain order, fastened
his horse to a steaming locomotive while he
ran to give the command. Perhaps it was not
strange that in the hurry and excitement man
did mistake engine for fence post. At in
the morning of the 18th the alarm bell gave
notice of immediate danger The citizen soldiers
were hurried off. But John Morgan fed away;
his pursuers came home and disbanded, and few
were the worse for the raid
But the darkest hour is just before dawn.
While the one-hundred days men guarded
bridges and roads, and mountain passes. Sher-
man made his magnificent march to the
Thomas scattered the enemy before him in the
Southwest Grant took Fort Fisher, Peters
burg. Richmond, and he prevailed On Lee to sur
render
April Is, 1865 was fair and joyful day; the
sun was shining. the sky was blue and cloudess.
Such day should usher in only happiness A
single sentence put out the light. President Lin
coin has been assassinated, There had been talk
of assassination of Governor Morton, and he had
been shot at one midnight as he left the heavy
labors of his Office but had not really believed
Assassination in our country seemed impossible.
But the President WAS assassinated he had
lived through the terror and struggle; he had
died in the hour Of triumph A few days later
the murdered man lay in state in our old Capitol
on the arch over his head sic transit gloria mundi,
and thousands upon thousands softly passing his
bier. On the blacklist of nights the body was
carried away through lane of motionless torch
bearers =. e,
On the I'd of June, 1865 peace was proclaimed
The troops returned to Indianapolis and were
mustered out, regiment by regiment. The sum-
mer and fall were continuous jubilee. There
was individual sorrow; the Joy was general for
the country WAS sayed-the country that above
all others was and is the hope of the world.