The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-11-01
Visitors from Southern Republics Pay
Tribute to Our Martyred President.
Expressions of Admiration and Love from Ex-
Governor 0glesby. SignOr Peraza, of Yene-
zuela, and Senor Alpbonso, Of Chilli.
A Welcome to the Distinguished Excur-
siOnists from Indiana's Capital City.
They Will be Shown as Many Sights as Their
Brief Stay Will Permit-A Long Drive,
Luncheon and Reception.
SPEECHES AT LINCOLNs TOMB.

SPEECHES AT LINCOLN,S TOMB.
Spanish-American Visitors Express Their
Love and Esteem for the Great Patriot.
SPRINGFIELD. Ill. Oct. S1.-For the sec
ond time the international American ex-
cursion party entered the State of Illinois
at an early hour this morning. The route
lay through the rich prairie lands in the
southern part of the State, and the rustic
beauty of the country. and the evidences
of thrift and productiveness every where
apparent were keenly appreciated by the
delegates. Springfield was reached soon
after IL A. NJ. In waiting here were Gov
ernor Fifer, Senator Cullom, Representa-
tive Springer. Ex-Governor Oglesby and
other prominent persons. Rain had fallen
during the night, and the roads were in
such condition as to necessitate the aban-
donment of the programme of the entire en-
tertainment of the visitors during the
morning, which included drive about the
suburbs and visit to the fair grounds SO
the party was at once escorted to the ho-
tells, and given an opportunity to rest and
lunch quietly.
After lunch the party went to Lincoln's
tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery. There was
among the southern delegates spirit al
most of reverence as they ascended the
steps to the terrace about the shaft. Aswas
remarked by one of the southern delegates,
Lincoln's tomb seemed to him like Mecca,
and the present pilgrimage could not have
been complete without having led thither.
As with q common impulse, heads were
barred as the party walked about the fhonu-
4 - IL,
at the front of the monument upon a spot
upon which the statue of Lincoln bent it's
gaze, and Senator Cullom introduced ex-
Gov. Richard j. Oglesby, who said that the
visitors might be indulgent toward the
people of Illinois for ingexpressiOn upon
almost all occasions to their deep sense of
admiration and love for the great patriot.
the great emancipation. whose memory they
honored to-day. He loved his own coun-
try. his own race and bis own people, but
no less had he loved other nations and peo-
pies of all races and colors., 1t
down into the waves of human slavery and
slavery to. American citizenship. These
gentlemen had in their states and nations
their own patriots. and statesmen, and
scholars, and soldiers. and they might ap-
preciate. to some extent, the feeling of in
tense admiration that moved our hearts
towards Abraham Lincoln. Why should
these nations not come closer together,
not only commercially, socially, NOR
ally and politically, but why not bring
about universal American brotherhoodf
Why not be friendss He wished that thou
sands of our people would, instead of going
every year to Europe, visit the republics OF
Mexico, South and Central America.
While Ex-Governor Oglesby was speaking
OF Lincoln's life, SignOr Bolet Peraza, who
was to respond, stood within reach of his
hand. and frequently his face paled and his
eyes were dimmed by emotion aroused, and
we not be friendsW Signor Peraza and
others lifted their faces with expressions of
approval and applauded warmly. Gen.
BOlet Peraza is a son-in-law of Gen. Jose
Gregorio Monagas, who was President of
at that time, and this fact was stated by
Senator CullOm. who introduced him to the
audience. General PeraZa said:
"Gentlemen-Do not be surprised by the
contrast which my colleagues present to
you at this solemn occasion in selecting the
hum blest orator to praise the greatest man
of your country in the present century.
They have not sought me on the merits Of
eloquence, but the circumstances of oppor-
tunity. They have excused my deficiencies
and only thought of my family associations
with one of the liberators of our America.
who, like your hero. made slaves free and
deserved the glory of martyrdOm. It is not,
then, my voice which speaks at this mo-
a
shares with your great man the immortal
ity bestowed by the God of Justice on the
benefactOrs of mankind. Fifteen free
American nations join in this sanctuary to
pay their homage to this tomb. which con-
tains nothing but a handful of dust, all
that in Abraham Lincoln belongs to death.
as his real mausoleum is in the hearts of
men. Our visit to this sacred monument is
not q mere individual tribute, but a sig
nificant pilgrimage of sovereign sister na-
W ah hara in 10 ma nf h
erty, equality and fraternity, to sat
isfy their firm purpose of continu-
ing the work of this great northern
leveler. unifying the interests of the
tons for the future, tearing down the ira
ditiOnal walls which rise In the natural
way of her industrial conveniences, leaving
standing only the frontier of the respective
sovereignties built by mutual respect"
Senior A1phonso, the delegate from Chilli,
was next called upon by Senator Cullom,
and spoke in Spanish as follows: II am ex-
ceedingly pleased to have now the oppor-
tunity of fulfilling a vow which made in
earlier years to visit, before my death. the
tomb of that great character, Abraham
Lincoln. fully realize that it is just and
proper that the Nation which produced
such man as Abraham Lincoln should
feel very proud of him. feel exceedingly
happy that he was able to realize nearly all
of his most ardent wishes, and that am
able TO pay my tribute of admlrationn
After the speaking the visitors entered
where Lincoln's body Is inferred, each TAX
ing from the sarcophagus above many flow
ers strewn upon it They next went to the
chamber where the relics Of Lincoln are
kept. After each one had signed his name
in the register all were driven to Lincoln's
old home, and thence to the hotel, where
dinner was served.
After the dinner Senator Cullom well
coined the guests to Springfield and made
strong speech for er-American COM
merce and direct shipping facilities. He
advocated and expected TO see railroads
built connecting the three Americas, the
two oceans united by two or more canals,
and to- soon sec the stars and stripes flying
from the mastheads III every harbor of the
three nations. Governor Fifer also made a
very effective speech, and much in the
same strain. Senor Velorde, of Bolivia,
and Congressman Henderson made short
speeches. At the close of the banquet q
! public reception was held In the State
house until the hour of departure.