The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-24

gade of which my regiment formed part.
One thing that has never been made public,
was that the colonelcy of the Twenty
fourth Indiana was offered me; in fact /
was appointed, but declined. was then
lieutenant-colonel of the Eleventh and
would not leave that regiment
AFTER meeting at Shiloh We became we'll
acquainted. and L served under him more
than eighteen months. He won his brevet
of majo general at Champions Hill. Grant.
in his Memoirs, spoke more highly of Gen.
HOvey and the conduct of his division than
was usual with him. l always had very
high appreciation of Governor Hovey, both
as q soldier and as private citizen. sup
pose he has said more kind things OF ME
than of any other man in the army. He
was q good soldier, and as brave as good.
Socially he was one of the cleverest and
most agreeable men ever met"
Mr.. w. III. English said he was greatly
shocked to hear of the death of Governor
Hovey, not only because it was a forcible
reminder that the earlier public men of In
diana are rapidly passing away. but also
because of the intimate and friendly re-
lations existing between them for over
forty years. 1--WE first met" said Mr.. En-
glIsh. "at Indianapolis when q great BODY
of men, clothed with the sovereign majesty
of the people. assembled, as their repre-
sentatIves in 1850, to form q Constitution
for the state. We were both natives
of Indiana, proud of our nativity.
from counties bordering on the Ohio river,
of the same politics. and about the
same age. He came as delegate from
| Posey county, with the gifted Robert Dale
| Owen as his colleague, and, with their
aid, l became the principal clerk. The
| friendship then formed never weakened
| through all the great events and changes
| of the last forty-One years. and some OF
| them have. indeed, been wonderful. l
| have adaguerreOtyp pc likeness of him, taken
w hQn ha q m ba m w ia N
| striking contrast with a likeness i have,
taken since he was Governor; but at all
times he was man of fine personal appear
| ance and gentle, winning manners. lie
| had plenty of spirit, however, was quick tn
resent and as ready to forgive. This WAS
| shown by q personal collision during the
| session between himself and another men,
ber. but which was soon satisfactorily set
| tied and no doubt regretted by both. They
have both now passed away, as bave
nearly all that great body OF $50 men.
| My recollection is that he was practical,
useful member, participating to proper
| and judicious extent In the great debates
! of the session. i think he was man of
strong individuality, and good deal in
| clined to have his own way when his mind
was once set in particular direction. l
| rather think both the Democrats and Re-
| publicans found this to be true of him on
| more than one occasion. OF his long and hon
Orable career since that convention. need
not say anything. 1t Is the merited theme
~
! ont blemlsh, and he deserves to stand
| high in the estimation of his cOuntrymen,
rs n citizen, a soldier and a statesman. In
diana may we'll feel proud OF him as one of
| q list of Governors that, as whole, will
| compare favorably with the Governors of
| any State In the Union"
| Concerning Governor Hovey, Mr.. John
NJ. Butler said: Il knew him nearly al
my life. forty-fve years at least. He was
always a thoroughgoing consistent man in
everything he undertook. / think he was
man of very good judgement and he was
deliberate and careful in making up his
| Judgment on any point. His decisions
| while on the Supreme Bench were above
the average and show decided legal ability
and scholarly attainments. He was 3
| Democrat and an earnest one up to the
time of the Kansas and Nebraska troubles:
| then he became a Douglas Democrat.
The transition from that to the
Republican party was natural and easy.
Governor Hovey was always a strong par
tIsan. Since the war his great
ambition had been to procure the utmost
possible for the soldiers who served
in the ranks. and by his persistent efforts in
their behalf he endeared himself very
greatly TO the private soldiers. / suppose
no citizen of Indiana had a warmer place
in the q. A. X. than Governor Hovey. As
Governor. he certainly served the country
and the people of Indiana well. He was
brought into conflict with the Legislature
because he believed that many of the acts
of that body were unconstitutional. The
court of last resort has sustained the judg-
ment of Governor Hoyey in many instances
| In this regard. His life was active and
earnest. His successes were many and
| great, and his failures comparatively few
and insignificant. AS lawyer, general,
member of Congress. judge of the Supreme
Court and Governor he has occupied great
offices in the gift OF the people of Indiana" !"
Ex-Governor Porter was seen soon after
the Governors death. and said: II am
greatly shocked to learn of my old friends
death. Although General Hovey and l
have been separated great deal from one
another the last i've years. by virtue of
our official duties, yet we have been great
friends all our lives. He was appointed.