The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-08
An Indiana Hero.
Washington Post.

Mr.. Cumbsck. of Indiana, surviving
member of the Thirty-fourth Congress, was
one of the orators at the reception given
those survivors by the National Lsague
Wednesday evening last. Mr.. Cumback is
a ready speaker, not lacking in wit and
somewhat gifted in poetic imagery.
BE can dress up small thought
in elegant verbal attire and feel
rather proud of it when he sets
the little one agoing in the company OF big
thoughts plainly dressed. Mr.. Cumback-
Will Cumback is his full name-is q writer
of verse, o singer of songs and a powerful
exhorter in revival meetings.
OF course a survivor OF such varied quail
tiles and attachments was gladly well
coined by the other survivors OF course,
too, be was invited to speak-an invitation
that he does not kaow now to decline. We
wish he had spoken temporarily, in which
case it would not have become our duty
to notice his remarks. But Mr.. Cumback,
although as mild aud tender hearted man
as is the Lord High Executioner'
Mikado, can never mention the war Of the
rebellion without getting into a rage.
0n.l Wednesday evening Mr.. Cumbsck
fought the war over again from Fort
Sump.or to Appomattox, and when he
had concluded his campaigning he re-
marked that "those who stood by the
flag were eternally right, aud those who
sought to trail it in the dust we're eternally
wrong. Instead of going around prating
about their lost cause and their trampled
rights they should think of DR.. Watts
hymn, And are We wretches still aliveP
He referred to the suppression of the bal
lot in the South, and said the time would
come when any attempt to trample on the
rights OF the people and suppress suffrage,
the people would rise in their might and
rebuke the outrage"
There was no occasion for any such talk,
for nobody was questioning the righteous.
ness OF the Union cause, and nobody had
''prattled about the lost cause" but Mr..
Cumback felt that he must display his val.
or. And now, since he has had his say, we
propose to see how he 'stood by the flag"
IN those trying times-to see how he was
externally right"
Prior 10 the middle of april, 1861, Hon.
Will Cumback, an ex-Congressman and
extremely popular, had spent some months
in kindling the war fever in the minds of
the young men of Decatur County, Indi-
ana. He had large influence, and used it
to fire the hearts of his neighbors and
friends. Suddenly the clouds broke and
the tempest of war broke on the country.
The young men whom Cumback had en-
Unused sprang to arms and called for him
to lead them. But he could not hear
the call; he was not there, nor did he come
there for some days. His friends soon
learned thar he was in Cincinnati, and en-
treated him to come to his home, for the
boys wanted him badly. But he skulked
a while longer, and then was almost forced
to return, 20 reluctant was he to "fall in"
when evasion was no longer posi-
BILE, be joined the anxious youths,
and went with them as far as
Indianapolis. There Mr.. Cumback was
offered by Governor Morton the command
OF a regiment, but he had no notion of
standing by the flag" in that way. That
way might be externally right" but it was
not his way. mo" he said to Governor
Morton, Il am not fit for that, but would
like to have you get me an appointment
in the pay corps" The Governors liD
curled with contempt, bat he acceded to
the request. Mr.. Cumback socn became
Major, and served with fidelity TO the close
of the unpleasantness. He made good
many charges, but they were not san
culinary.
Five or Elk years after the war Mr.. Cam.
back came within an ace of getting into
the United State Senate. He had the
nomination in caucus, and would have
been promptly elected but for the expos
ure of letter that he had written to Gov.
ernor Baker, which that upright Official
regarded as corruption. This caused bolt,
a long and exciting fight and the election
of Pratt in lieu of Cumbeck. Since then
Mr.. Cumback has devoted most of his time
to the collection Of Federal taxes on
whisky.
Such gallant soldiers as Major Cumback
finds it Impossible to forget the events of
the war for a single moment, and 60 about
with poignant regret gnawiDg at their
vitals because all the "infernal rebels
were not hanged by the neck to sour apple
trees. He is typical bloody-shirt