The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-17
HARRISON AT CLAYTON.
A Speech Which Excites the Highest Ad-
miration of Literary Critics.


miration of Literary Critics.
Chicago Inter Ocean.
1t is TO be said Of Indiana that, despite Of its
oeing the homo OF some Of the most obnoxious
copperheads with which the Country was cursed
during the war time, despite OF some of Its
southern counties being scenes of anti-draft
riots and centers Of rebel plottings, 1t was and
Is strong soldier State. Not only did the State
az large send forth an ample snare of troops,
but some Of its strong Democratic counties,
Upton, johnson, Shelby and Putnam, for in
stance. contributed far in excess of their quota.
Today; on almost any State or county ticket,
me old soldiers are gratefully remembered.
Inc soldierss monument, to be erected on the
Governors Circle will be an enduring proof Of
the States pride in and gratitude to her citizen
soldiery.
Thus when General Harrison attended the
fourteenth reunion of his old regiment, the
seventieth Indiana. at Clayton, he was greeted
oy a concourse, in which the Democratic ele-
inent was both numerous and respectable. IL
was MT that no appearance OF political bias
should be manifest at such q time and place.
ana accordingly the pleasing task OF welcoming
the veterans. and him who was their leader in
war, vas intrusted TO a lady. And right we'll
did Miss Mitchell acquit herself. The Generals
reply was in perfect keeping with the eurround-
1ngs- The glory Of the earth and sky, the ineffa'
bic peace OF nature, touched and awakened a fine
poetic feeling; his mind took N the quiet beauty
OF the day, and reverted to tho stormy grandeur
OF other days, whom those who are now veterans,
grizzled aud gray were the young heroes of the
country, and his speech flowed forth in sober
majesty. II is a speech that will henceforth be
classical Its sentiments were and ever will be
In accord with the beet aspirations OF the best
citizens, no matter what their party name may be.
In the best sense the war feeling still endures,
feeling not of bitterness against those who
fought upon the other side,n OF pride OF
power, but Of thankful rejoicing that the right
became the might, and OF patriotic resolve that
The might henceforth and evermore shall be
with tho right. General Harrison spoke 10 men
who did not enter upon the in the first blush
and fever of heroic hops. They were sad days
IN which the old Seventeen Indiana was
recruited. In 1862 The cause of the Union
seemed hopeless to many, doubtful to more. the
bitter exclamation OF the Psalmist, 'Oh, God,
why hast Thou cast us OF; is it for evermoreln
was in the heart, il not on the lips, OF many a
patriot "It was them" the General reminded
his comrades, lin that hour Of stress, that you
pledged your hearts and lives to our country,
in the sober realization that the was des-
perate one, in which thousands were to die We
are glad that God has spared US TO see the mag.
niicent developement and increase in strength
and honor which has come TO Us as q nation,
and in'the glory which has been woven into the
flag we love" 1t is doubtful If IN all the poetry
OF the war, and some stirring lines are there
there be a more elegant idea more strongly ex
pressed than in General Harrison's words, 1.-THE
glory woven into the flag we love"