The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-02


would see his monument, look around.
Not the bronze figure in Monument place
nor the marble bust in Crown hill Is the
real monument 10 Oliver p. Morton. II
you-to a State raised to the highest hon.
or. in which two millions of patriotic peo-
pie revere his name and honor his men,
DRY; State proud of its record. both in
war and peace; State to which the Nation
turned for one of its ablest and most IL
lustrious Chief Magistrates: State whose
name is Il synonym for honorable citizen
ship. Better than these. to country puri-
he'd as by fire: TO free institutions secured
BY national government loved at home.
reyered abroad: to a flag carrying the
stars of forty-five indestructible States OF
an indivisible Union. These constitute the
monument TO Oliver p. Morton
In this hour, with the lessons Of this life
TO inspire us, when the country summons
t6an tbs a 10 no6 DUTY he SeaTSs 6S less S
hideous din of war surrounded million
men i'm serried ranks. let US here highly re-
solve that, so far as in us lies, govern
ment Of the people by the people and for
the people shall not perish from the earth.
AN UNPUBLISHED POEM.
Following the address OF Mr. Halford
Rev. D. r. Lucas read an unpublished po-
EN- addressed to Mr.. Morton by T. Buchan-
an Read, of Cincinnati, curing the war. In
telling the story OF the writing Of the poem
DR.. Lucas said:
During the latter part OF August. 1862.
General Bragg and Kirby Smith invaded
the State of Kentucky at the head of a
formidable army, with the intention of
capturing the cities of Louisville, KY, and
cincinnati and transferring the seat of war
TO the Northern States or making the Ohio
river heir northern line. The Mayor OF
Sincil.hati photographed the Governor of
ONO for heavy guns, to be placed on the
hills back of Covington, as well as field
artillery, troops, small arms and ammuni-
ton. Governor Todd answered him telling
him to make out his requsitions and have
them approved by the United States Of
1cerS at Cincinnati, forward them and he
would be supplied readily as possible.
All this required time, and the Mayor and
citizens committee became very restless.
What they wanted to hear WAS that the
articles telegraphed for would be sent at
once.
ed teIegraphing Governor Morton, which
was done, and as soon as the lightning
could carry the reply Governor Morton an
swered: We have no heavy guns. but our
ordnance officer is now loading a battery
OF artillery, which, with an assortment Of
ammunition. will be sent by special train,
and others with troops and additional bat
loaded.
the work was not stopped until inside
of fifteen hours from the receipt of
the first telegram the Eighty-fifth and
Eighty-sixth Regiments of Indiana Volun-
teers. twenty-four pieces of artillery, 5000
stands of arms, q. 900 rounds of artillery
ammunition and over 100000 musket car
IL
for use. Governor Morton also went to
Cincinnati, with his military staff. and was
accompanied by. Generals Lew Wallace.
Thomas a. Morris and EDeneZer Dumont
to be near the seat of war and better en-
abled to render needed assistance. Cen
eral Wallace was placed in command OF the
Just at this time the disastrous battle
of Richmond, KY, was fought. principally
by green troops from this State, against
Kirby Smiths veterans. which had the ef-
feet of delaying the progress OF Smith 3
army towards the Ohio river and afforded
General Wallace time to put Cincinnati In
such a state of defense that Kirby Smith
after reconoitering in front Of Covington,
concluded that the time gone by to
attempt to accomplish the first object or
his campaign, and turned his attention to
forming, a junction with Bragg. and
marched towards Louisville.
The press and people of Cincinnati took
every opportunity to express their graft
tude of Governor Morton for his timely
aid. and among other things, ordered II.
Buchanan Reed, their distinguished poet
painter. the author of 'Sherman's Ride TO
come to this city and paint 4 portrait of
Governor Morton. which still hangs in the
Council Chamber at Cincinnati, to attest
timely aid.
During Buchanan Reads stay in this
city, while painting this portrait, he wrote
the following. which was recently found
among the Governors papers, and which
has never been published:
ITO Oliver p. Morton. Governor of Indiana.
(By Thomas Buchanan Read.)
| stand firm, great captain of your State,
In face of sea blast:
If need be, in q cause so great,
Like Farragut, spite of every fate,
Stay dashed unto the mast.
| BE firm. be steady. hold the reins.
But let your charger go
Like him who swept acros the plains,
Brave Sheridan, with burning veins,
| To fight the self-same foe.
| Like Sherman. cast all trammels by,
With nothing in your wake,
And like the eagle from the sky,
| POunce on the serpentS crawling sly,
And leave no copper snake.
BE resolute humane. serene
| To suffer is divine
| Like Grant on many battle scene,
| Stand with your grand unmovinS mien,
| And fight ii OH that line"