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

At o'clock, while the crowd was still pouring
into the hall from what seemed an endless
stream, the distinguished visitors, Generals
Sherman, Logan Gibson and Hovey. accompa
MED by Senator Harrison and General Bennett,
made their appearance. and as they worked their
way to the front through the crowd on the east
SIDE, thunder of applause arose from the audi
ence General Burdette, the commander-in
chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, came
in few moments later. and was applaud
ed as he made his appearance on
the stage. The distinguished men Were
seated prominently in front on the stage,
and formed group truly striking in appearance
General Sherman wore black dress suit and
the high standing collar, with outward turning
points, which has become characteristic feat
ure of his appearance. On the lapel of his coat
he wore his corps badge. and held in his hand
pair of steel-rimmed spectacles, which he ad-
justed over his ears whenever their aid was
needed in reading. Beside General Sherman sat
General Logan, dressed in a black, close fitting
Prince Albert suit, and on his coat he, too wore
his corps badge. Next to General
Logan sat General Harrison, while beside
him was seated Gen. Alvin P. Hovey
of Mount Vernon, one of the most gallant of
Indiana's distinguished commanders, and a man
OF truly distinguished appearance. with a rare
intellectual face Beside General Hovey was
seated General Gibson, who is rather tall and
slender in stature, with healthful-looking face
and dome-like forehead. General Burdette
occupied a seat beside General Bennett. the
master of the camp fire ceremonies 1t was
twenty five minutes past o'clock when
Professor Barus appeared on his stand,
and with a majestic wave of his hands,
opened the exercises Of the evening
with the playing of the overture to "Oberon,'
which was rendered with fine discrimination and
pleasing effect Following the overture the
audience was drawn at once into the full spirit
of the occasion by the inspiring strains of the
"Battle-cTy or Freedom" in the singing of
which the grand chorus united with much en-
thusiasm. which became contagious and spread
through the audience, General Sherman, with
many others. joining in the singing in subdued
tones. and keeping time with his feet Miss
Annie Abroynet sung the solo part with much
spirit.
GENERAL BENEFITS INTRODUCTION
General Bennett. the department. commander
of the g. A. R., the presiding officer of the even
ng made the following Introductory address:
Ladies aud Gentlemen, and Old Soldiers and
Comrades-I have been called upon to preside
to night, and want to say to you that the honor
is one that will last me through life see that
I am also down for a speech, but have no
speech to make, for, as / look over the pro-
gramme discover that feast is before you, so
rich in viands, gathered from the choicest
gardens. as to leave room for COM
mon vegetable, except to blush unseen The
first name / see is that of General
Ben Harrison great cheeringl. man who CON
siders it grander honor to walk with his army
post on Decoration Day. and to have been a
colonel of Indiana regiment, than to hold a
seat in the United States Senate Then comes
another name that is very familiar to YOU ALL
If history record Alright 1t is the name of man
who marched at the head of an army from At
lanta to the sea- tGreat cheering, which
subsidized several times and was renewed each
time more vigorously than ever. That was a
peculiar march. There were no feather beds for
him to sleep on-a fence corner was good
enough. No women came out to meet and greet
him. except perhaps some poor old colored
woman, whose shackles had been stricken off.
and whose children we're no longer in the slave
markets. to be bought and sold, by reason of
that march. There were no Governors nor
Mayors to meet him there, but thank God.
that here to-day. in this loyal city of Indianap-
strew flowers in his pathway Icheersl. and /
thank God that every old soldier here tonight,
and all over this great country, has bouquet in
his heart for that great commander NV friends
only few days ago there was another march to
the sea. but or very different kind do not
object to those people doing homage to that man
lief Davis, as they did in Atlanta, but when
they even made the little colored children,
whom Sherman made free, throw flowers
daughter and cheers. There is another man
here tonight. who, above all others, is the
representative of the volunteer soldiers OF
America man every soldier loves to speak of
as the fighting general OF the army-John A.
Logan. Great and long-continued cheering,
renewed time and again. Then we were to
have had General Schofeld, but his