The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-18
THE BATTLE-GROUND MEETING.

THE BATTLE-GROUND MEETING.
The Largest aud Most Enthusiastic Assem-
biage Ever Known on thaf Famous Spot.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
LAFAYETTE. Oct 1.-THE early train from
Indianapolis here over the Kankakee line was
well filed with indianapolis people, this morn
ing, on their way to attend the Republican
demonstration at the historic Battle ground,
seven miles from this city, and every station on
the way ND contributed considerable delegations
to swell the crowd. General Alger, Of Michigan.
who came up with the Indianapolis delegation,
was the recipient Of . good many attentions at
points along the way, and on his arrival st the
junction was met by q committee from this city
and escorted TO the residence OF Mr.. c. B.
Robertson, where he was entertained during
his stay. Special aud regular trains the Wa
bash and Monon roads brought large uumbsr
Of people during the forenoon, and by 10 o'clock
the main streets Of the city wero almost i'm
passiole. Notwithstanding the fact that good
many had gone out to the Battle ground earlier
in the day. The public buildings and many
stores and residences were handsomely dscorat-
ed with the national colors and pictures Of Gen.
Harrison, and the city presented very
attractive appearance. the day being bright and
clear, and warm enough to permit many ladies
to take part in the demonstration. Trains were
run half-hourly between the city AID the Battle
ground, over the L., " A. 6s c. road, large
part of the route lying through a thickly popu-
lated district which was beautifully smbelished
with flags snd Harrison pictures, Snd the out
going trains were heartily cheered as they
passed. The point selected for the meeting is
beautiful spot directly north of Lafayette, and
is reached n an hours drive from the city over
a good eravel-road, in addition to the railroad
facilities. The battle-ground proper lies on an
elevated plateau between Burretts creek and
the railroad, directly east Of the village OF Bat
tle-eround, and only separated from IL by the
Methodist csmp-meetns grounds and narrow
street, and is surrounded by neat iron fence,
placed there by the State some years since. The
grounds have been State property since 1929, when
Col. John Upton, who purchased them from
the general government. presented them to this
Copmonvsalt to be kept as a memorial of the
victory Of Gen. William Henry Harrison over
tho Indian tribes allied under the leadership OF
Tecumseh and his brother. The Prophet
Nov. Z, 1Sl1.' One OF the speakers stands to-
day was erected near the spot where the Indian
attack was made upon General Harrisons en-
campment on the morning OF the battle, and
another was located within few feet of the
little inclosure where the unmonumented re-
mains Of thirty-seven OF the American troops
killed by the savages now lie buried. good
many changes and improvements have been
made in the grounds since the State took pos
Of nd in eha af
the commissioners of Tippecanoe county. as
carefully kept and cared for any other prop
erty in the custody of the board. Their political
history is hardly less in nterestue than the military
"reminiscences connected with them. Hero the
famous Tippecauoe rally of 1910 was held, when
people came from all sections OF the country,
many OF them on foot. and the most Of them
who rode travelling IN wagons and on horseback
TO further the presidential candidacy Of the
elder Harrison, whose military achievements
made the spot famous, and TO spcIi week
listening to speeches by orators like Tom Cor
win, upholding the Whig platform and its cau-
didates. AT q later day Henry Clay spoke in
advocacy of the American protective system
under its oaks. and in 1856 John c. Breckin-
ridge and Stephen A. Douglas made Democratic
speeches at the same place. There wer8 meet
ings there in the carly sixties. when Caleb b.
Smith, Governor Morton, Gen. Ben Harrison
and Henry S. Lane spoke 10 defense of the
Union. Hon. James q. Blaine delivered an al
dress there in 1874. aud Roscoe ConkliDe made
a famous speech there in the Garfield
campaign of 1850. The Battle ground seems to
have been neglected In 1884, ard until to-day,
when lion. James G.. Blaine came back to IT,
politica, meeting, OF any magnitude have been
held there since $780,
Mr.. Blaiue, who arrived In LAFAYETTE yester-
day afternoon, remained here this morning
witness the local parade, which q very
creditabls one, the procession Including, 10 sd-
dition to the marching clubs large number of
fnaea ,for rfrD l.D-a htnG and
seutations of pioneer life. At ll30 A. NJ. Gen.
| Alger's car and the private car Of Suoerintend-
| ent Woodard were attached to the regular train.
and nr. Blaine. accompanied by ex-Sscretary Of
1 the Navy Thompson, General Alger, Colonel
| Sno wden. General King, Gen. W. III. Gibson,
! Mr.. Walker Blaine and the committee on ar
| rangements, together with . large delegation Of
| newspaper men, wera conveyed to the Battle
| ground. General Hovey and Corporal Tanner.
| who came ever from Bedford yesterday,
| having preceded them. The crush at the Lahr
| House, from which the train started. and also
at the little station where the party aliehted,
was tremendous. fully 10000 people pushing
forward at each place to catch glimpse of the
1 DISTINGUISHED visitor Mr.. Blaine, who
| suffering from q severe cold remained IN his
| car for some time after its arrival at the
grounds The others of his party were taken to
the large tabernacle in the center Of the camp
meeting iDclosure. adjoining the battle-ground,
which filed overhowing, the crowd not
only filing the aisles, but extending out from
/ under the wings OF the build
ing into the space beyond. On
the open trusses which upheld the roof men
| and boys were perched and even the narrow
| spaceieft for the Speakers was threatened by
| the surgng throne Thecrowd was good natured,
| but noisy, nnd some difficulty experienced
in calling the meeting TO order, but Of l o'clock
| Capt. ". Dewitt Wallace, OF the local CON-
| rnittee, got q hearing and introduced ex-Secre-
tary Of the Navy Thompson as chairman OF the
| meeting. Chairman Thompson had q cordial
| reception from the crowd and stated that il was
intended he should open the meeting with an
| address to the Tppecaroe veterans OF 1910, but
| by reason Of the .atepess of the hour be con-
| cluded to defer such address and introduce Gen.
| Russell Aleer of Michigan. The latter was
heartily cheered when he came forward, and
vigorously applauded at many points in his ad-
| dress. He spoke as foliows:
"aIr Chairman and Fsllow-citizens--I feel
just as though were stationed At the foot Of