The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-13
Extraordinary Demonstration Fol-
the Eloquent henry Watterson.
TEARS AND CHEERS OF JOY
GENERAL LAWLERs ACCOUNT OF
HIS WORK IN THE PAST YEAR.
Woman's Relief Corps EnjOined from
Transacting Business Until an
Ohio Woman Is Admitted.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the indianapolis journal.
LOUISvILLE.s Sept. 12.-In the twenty
ninth National Encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic there have been many
stirring scenes and maay dramatic episodes
but In them all there has not been so much
that is dramatic in the truest sense and so
memorable as the preliminary exercises to-
day. The meeting was public and hundreds
of citizens looked down from the galleries
and joined in the applause. Just as the ex-
ercises began. Henry Watterson, James
Whitcomb Riley and Major Holstein
with several ladies, including Mrs. John A.
Logan, entered by side door and sat be-
hind the wings of the stage. When the
chairman of the citizens committee had
finished his remarks, he introduced Mr.
Riley. who came forward. AS soon as the
audience recognized him, he was greeted
with round of appreciative applause. Ex-
pectant, the audience was still in mo-
ment and Mr.. Riley read his poem. The old
men were taken with its increasing fervor
of patriotism. When he stopped and the
audience saw there wss no more. there
was as apprecative manifestation of ap-
provaTas the poet ever received. He then
recited with rare effect, Take Kere O. YER
self, Jim." Now Mr. Riley Is the favorite
I
Mr. Watterson was behind the wing the
audience would have been impatient with
less brilliant man. but 1t would have been
delighted with another recitation. Then edi-
tor watterson was introduced. AS he came
forward the whole body OF delegates rose
up as one man TO greet him. So anxious
were the men to hear him that they even
cut short their applause, and the silence of
<1ll II. 1lxo I,.,<
three or four short sentences when a single
shout was me sign of approval. In low.
clear tones. often tremulous with intense
feeling, and again sparkling with the keen
est wit Mr.. watterson spoke. Now his SEN
tences would be punctuated with shout
of approval then with peal of laughter.
Again tears cbuld be seen in the eyes of the
old men and of Mrs. Logan and others on
the stage In response to the tears in his
voice as he pleaded for one country, one
flag and one people. Next his appealing to
the pride and power of the country, struck
tn, fire of approval as the steel strikes fire
from the flint. And that close-who will ever
forget it? With voice suffused with genu-
inc emotion. Mr.. watterson threw up his
hands as he closed the apostrophe to peace
and shouted: Peace. Peace. Peacer The
fearful in their voices as watterson, when
they shouted their approval.
Then General Warner, of Missouri, re-
sponded for the Grand Army. 1t was re-
Spouse in spirit and effect to the Kentuckian.
Walking down the stage toward Mr.. Wat
terson, he said: Let this be one people-a
Nation; let the dead past bury its dead
Let us strive to fuse this people into the
ion oorfh Mr. Wo
jumped to his feet. extended his hands and
the two men clasped hands, while the audi
ence applauded. Mrs. Logan made a few
remarks in the same spirit. The leading
men in the Grand Army believe that this
day will prove the most memorable in the
history of the organization.
Like yesterday, to-day has been a great
day for Indiana. Poet Riley in the morning
and the election Of Colonel Walker by accla-
nation in the afternoon for commander
chief may be classed as notable events. as 1t
Is the first time in years that such an off,
Ger has been thus elected. The encampment
was very much In earnest for his election.
The woman's Relief Corps Is enjoined and
can do no business. An Ohio woman, who
has been expelled. has secured temporary
injunction forbidding the national associa-
ton from doing any business until she shall
have been restored. 1t strikes most people
as very funny. but many of the members
cannot see where the fun comes in. The
encampnent will get through its business
by O'Clock tomorrow afternoon.
The New Commander-fn-Chie
Col. Ivan y. Walker is a native of In
diana. When the war broke out, although
only twenty-one years of age. he was
holding an important civil Office. He
promptly resigned the emouments of the
place 10 raise a company for the Seventy
third Indiana Volunteers of which he be-
came captain. He took part with his reg
iment in the important battles of the
Army of the Cumberland and rendered
conspicuous services at Richmond, Perry
Vile and Stone River. and in the last
named engagement won the rank of major.
His promotion TO lieutenant colonel and
colonel followed rapidly. He was in the,
daring mounted infantry raid OF 1863 into
Georgia and Alabama which ended disas-
trously. and for many months endured the
horrors of Libby prison. He escaped
through the historic tunnel in February,
1864. and. rejoining his regiment. aided in
protecting the line of supplies between
Stevenson and Decatur on the Memphis &
Charleston railroad and Tennessee river
during the advance on Atlanta At the
battle of Nashville he rendered valuable
personal service as aid and received the
personal thanks OF General Thomas.
Colonel Walker became a member of the
c.. A. r.. in 1867 and on the reorganization
of the Department OF Indiana served as
commander of George III. Thomas Post, the
largest spost In the department He was
appointed assistant adjutant-general in
1857, and was rsappointed three times In
1891, declining fifth term, he was chosen
department commander During his four
years as executive officer the membership
of the department increased more
than six thousand. His greatest work. and
that which has endeared his name TO the
comradeship everywhere. was his mastery
report as chairman of the pension commit
tee 10 the National Encampment at In
dlanapolis- When all was doubt and trepida-
ton - to what action the encampment