The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-14
MEETING OF ii LOYAL LEGION.
Election of Officers and an Address
by Governor Mount.

Election of OfKcers and an Address
by Governor Mount.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
RICHMOND, Ind, May 13.-The annual
meeting of the Loyal Legion was held at
the Westcott Hotel this afternoon, the at
tendance being large. Much interest was
manifested in the reports of the officers.
After the transaction of considerable i'm
portant business. the following officers We're
elected: Commander, Gen. Lew Wallace;
senior vice commander, Hon. Will Cum
back junior vice, Col. c. e. Briant, Hunt
ington: recorder, Col. u. A. Smith; treas
urer, Horace Mckay; chaplain, William
Corby, of Notre Dame: chancellor, Capt.
Elder Cooper, Evansville; registrar, Capt.
John T.. Cleland; counselors, II. c.. Ad-
ans and William H.. Armstrong, of Indian
apolis, and William Nelson. of Evansville.
The Loyal Legion banquet at the West
colt Hotel tonight was one of the most
SuccessIul in several years. Lew Wallace
was the and Mayor Ostrander.
who IS a membeT of the Legion, welcomed
the visitors to Richmond. Commander Wal
lace responded and then called on Governor
Mount, who spoke to the toast, Indiana, .
as follows:
Hayne, said of Massachusetts: She needs
no defense; there she stands; look at her.
Indiana stands clothed in the majesty of
her grandeur. Mrs. Bolton, in a few words.
paid a worthy tribute TO this State when
she said:
The winds of heaven never famed,
The circling sunlight never spanned
The borders of a fairer land
Than our W Indiana
I'm Importance and in location Indiana
stands related to other States as the hub
does 70 the wheel, or the heart to the body.
NO State has soil more fertile; none less
exposed to the disastrous effects of flood
and drought. The luXuriant growth of her
grasses and the abundan yield of her
cereals crown her one of the greatest agri-
tempting beauty and delicious flavor, grow
abundantly. Her forests of timber. de-
posts of valuable clays, mines or coal, in
~eXhaustible supply OF valuable building
stone; her great gas belt and untold wealth
of oil, point to a period of greatness toward
the acme of which we are but beginning to
ascend. With a free school fund of more
than nine millions of dollars, and with her
nOrmals, seminaries, colleges and univer-
stiles, no other State is better equipped and
none is making better progress in education
and intelligence than the Hoosier State.
Drawer soldiers than hers never stepped to
martial music. IN the field of battle they
won fame for themselves and honor for the
STATE Her sons and daughters have eX-
allied her good name. The grand climax of
the Nations prosperity was attained when
Indiana gallant son, General BENJAMIN
Harrison, was our President. He combines
elements of transcendent worth and ability
unsurpassed by any man of the age.
Tine States grandest heritage is her
noble sons and daughters. Let me, there
fore, speak of others. In doing so you will
ItINON me II / EeIef 10 our DISTINGUISHED
POSTMASTER, General Wallace. 1t is well
TO express our approval of mems achieve
ments while they are living. l believe tina
a little taffy IS better than too much
epitaphy. A bouquet of fragrant flowers
that touches the soul and kipdles love does
more good than a wreath on tte coffin. We
delight TO honor the citizen who won i'm
battle the major generals stars. We crown
him hero, statesman. diplomat, iurist. lee
turer. artist and author. and say to the
States: Match him If YOU cam There are
many imitators of the Hoosier poet. but
there Is only one genuine James Whitcomb
Riley. whose poems are gems and whose
recitations are pearls.
Let me speak Of one of Indiana's noble
women-one who at an interstate meeting
of distinguished gentlemen. including Cow
ernOrs of States, was signally honored bv
being the recipient of a golden Jewel on
which was inscribed to Virginia c. Mere
dith. the Queen of American Agricuiflra
This woman was also honored at the
Worlds umb Exposition. A foreign
woman. in acknowledgment of her able
service. presented her with a gold watch
studded with diamonds. This woman has
served as president of the literary clubs of
the State. In honor of this lady of ac-
complishments and of ability be it said
that she priced the real and not the super
hclal: she honors merit and not show. and
esteems IL the highest honor to manage her
hocks and herds on her beautiful Oakland
farm.
we are proud of a State thai has pro-
dueed men and women of worldwide fame.
We are proud of her past record, and hope.
ful for her future achievements.
" But even while our hearts rejoIce
In the dear homestead Of our choice,
We should. with our united voice,
Give thanks and sing Hosanna,
To Him whose love and bOunteous grace
Gave 70 the people of our race
A freehold and abiding place,
In fertile Indiana
Charles W. Smith. William c. Starr. s. w.
Gillian and others spoke. Miss Florence