The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-03

eastward 10 40 the work which had TO be done two
| years afterward. But the time was not vet
| ripe. We had to endure three more vaars of
bloody battle, and know that we at the front
always felt the more confident because we knaw
that Oliver p Morton was at his post in Indian
apoils, multiplying MS efforts IN the days of re-
verses and cheering us on when successful
After the war saw great deal of Senator
Morton 10 Washington, and often heard hin, in
the Senate when he advocated the cause of lib
erty and justice in the reconstruction period
seated, unable to stand on his feet, yet when he
spoke there was universal attention There
was no uncertain sound, no apologies excuses,
but the clear ring of the patriot and statesman
always thrilled his audience when Senator Nor
ton had the floor. He often met us at our army
reunions here and elsewhere claiming TO be one
of US; but my memory best recalls him at 0
soldiers gathering at Rockville, Ind,
Sept z, 1875, where thousands of his
own volunteers were assembled, with their
families, in beautiful grove near that town,
to hear Governor Morton. the Hon. Richard w.
Thompson, Colonel Lane aud others. Governor
Morton was then quite feeble as to his legs, but
his brain and memory were as strong as IN his
best days He spoke to that large mass OF In
diana people, men, women and children, with
clear voice and majestic air Whilst he conceded
to our armies and to the navy the chief glory OF
having rescued our government from the doom
which at one time threatened ii, he claimed fof
those who necessarily remained at homo their
share OF the glory for their patient endurance.
for sacrifices such as people before had ever
made to supply the armies at the front with food,
clothing arms and accoutrements and for labor
and responsibility which called for courage
equal to that Of the hardest battle
believe that Governor Norton in the admin
istration of his Office as Governor of Indiana
during the four bitter years of our civil war,
displayed as much courage and patriotism as the
best of our military leaders; and as to President
Lincoln. ] would rather take the chances or
half dozen fights than the mental strain he was
compelled to endure during every week of his
uHyn inicf ion L mot nra ~
Governor Morton's speech at Rockville. but it
left my mind an indelible impression and
doubt not the cares and anxeties forced on him
by his Office OF Governor was q chief cause for
the early termination of his precious life. There
fore, when you, the people of Indiana, erect
monument to the soldiers who gave their lives
to their country, you should not fail to inscribe
on it, high up, the name OF Oliver Perry Morton.
You cannot add to the fame and glory of the
&c, 672 brave young men of your State who gave,
their precious lives to their country, but you
can signalze to the youth of our land the deeds
which command universal love and admiration.
They will thus be encouraged to emulate theif
examples, and to follow their predecessors, in
standing by the constituted authorities of the
land, main tanning the Constitution and tho laws
of their fathers, and keeping precious the bright
stars and stripes which have guided us to glory
and fame for whole century.
am told some OF the good people of Indian
apois expressed surprise that did not come to
the funeral of Vice-president Hendricks lasi
fall. and though it may be out of place, am
willing to explain that did certainly expec. to
come. for Mr.. Hendricks was always most
courteous and friendly to the old soldiers. He
came to our army meeting, in St Louis, May Ii,
1882, at my special invitation and made az
patriotic a speech any soldier conid have
done. The moment heard of his death / con-
cluded to attend his funeral and awaited soma
sort Of invitation, but none came. / then OBJ
tanned the published notice prescribing the order
Of procession, who should compose it, and in it
mr. pla Ua RI fha
that had come to Indianapolis, would have
been cleft out"
was invited by our most worthy Mayor of
st. Louis, D. r. Francis, Esq, to 60 as one of
the committee of citizens Of st. Louis, but the
army and navy are, by the Constitution of the
State Of Missouri, denied the right of suffrage,
and, therefore, cannot be construed as citi-
zen OF that State. l would have been only too
willing to manifest my respect for Mr. Hen
dricks's high social qualities and for his univers
ally recognized abilities. For his memory and
in the welfare of his family, feel the highest
possible interest.
your invariable kindness and courtesy to me on
the many occasions have been the guest of
your people. The country is so large and the
soldier element widely scattered that were
to accept one invitation in the hundred would
have to abandon home and family and take to
the road. AS it is, within the next three months
l must break up my establishment in ST. Louis
and remove to New York; must be in California in
July in Oregon in August, at Rock Island ILL.,.
Sept Is, for the annual meeting of the Society
of the Army of the Tennessee so that for an
old soldier turned out to grass you must admit
that have not yet pleaded physical disability,
or the nfirmites of ags and | promise my old
soldier comrades every where, that 80 long az
life lasts l will be with them in spirit, if not in
the body; that, right or wrong, / will claim foEs
the armies of the Union, during our civil war,
the most complete victory in the most holy war
that waged by man on earth We 4
fought for the right, gained it, and asked for no
single act of revenge. Search the worlds his.
tory, and you will find no parallel
Yes! erect your monument to the honored
dead and leave, with confidence, the future to
our children and to God.
AS General Sherman dropped into his seat,
and as the storm of applause died away, March
ing thro' Georgia. was struck up. j. Burgess
Brown, an old soldier leading the chorus,
under the direction of Professor Barus,
in the singing. Like the other selections,
it struck the audience inspiration. and the
chorus beginning "Hurrah. hurrah, the flag that
made us free" was taken up by the multitude OF
enthusiastic listeners. who twice arose from
their seats and shouted their applause, many
waving their handkerchiefs and some
of the more deInonstrative of the old soldiers
throwing there hats into the air. It was one Of
the most thrilling scenes Of the evening There
was so much of hearty patriotic music in Mr.
DruWu - IcuuibioH u bno LaiuiAihT Olu war SOuk
that it stirred the hearts of the Grand Army
veterans, and easily excited the uproarious DEM
onstration which seemed to come spontaneously.
GENERAL LoGAN's REMARKS.
When General Logan stepped on the directors
stand, as the next speaker, no was greeted with
prolonged and tumultuous applause the demon
straton being no less enthusiastic than was that
upon General Sherman's appearance When he
was allowed to begin his speech, he said
Comrades, Ladies and Observation-Disclosures
have travelled many miles TO be present to-
night feel myself amply repaid for the trouble.
] come from the tomb where many sorrowing
pilgrims from all parts of this country assem-
bled on Monday, there to do homage to the
greatest soldier in my judgment whose name is
recordad in this or any other time.