The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-04
Various Criticisms About the Man
agement of the Camp Made by
Officers and Men.
NUMBER IN CAMP REDUCED
ARRANGEMENTS FOR MASTERING
INTO THE SERVICE.
Appointment of Assistant Surgeons
Expense of the Campfire
Ossian Company.

EA-HT6S2Q0nL benjamin 1dTTISOn > SpGGCi
at Camp Mount yesterday afternoon, at
tendant upon the presentation of an Amer
lean battle flag to Battery A, was an ex-
~traordinary event in camp, but the infantry
men, who are in the large majority in camp,
were on duty in other parts OF the grounds
at the time, and only a hundred or two cit
liens and the Battery A boys heard the
talk, which fairly bristled with patriotic
sayings.
The late afternoon was very cold and raw.
A large number of carriages containing fair
women, were drawn up about the quarters
occupied by the artillery. At $50 o'clock
Captain Curtis led his men out to dress
parade where they were joined by the bat
teries from Fort Wayne and Dana. After
the re%gimental band, under direction of
Sergeant Robert Oliver, had marched up
and down the line playing one of Sousa's
stirring airs. and the companies broke for
their quarters. Battery A was drawn up. in
tours, near Captain Curtis's tent, and there
General Harrison made his appearance on a
small stand erected for him. The carriage
containing the young women active in pro-
curing the flag for the artillery, was but a
short distance from him. Although a Slight
rain was falling, General Harrison barred
his head and, looking directly at the finely
built young men before him, began a speech
which was frequently interrupted with ap-
plause that continued far beyond the bat
terry guard lines. Said he:
Captain Curtis, Men of Battery A, In
diana National GuardS-soon to have an
other designation as a battery of the army
of the United States.
Yesterday some of my young lady friends
called upon me and asked me to say a few
words in connection with the presentation
fn This hnffOTNy Of fhn fno DUhlnh. thnN mad
prepared. My engagements are such that
1 have been negativing all invitations to
make public addresses, and l might have de-
MED the ladies-though my desire to please
them was very strong-but l could not deny
myself the qualification of a word OF greet
ing, of commentator, and a God speed to
who have so promptly our counE
try'S call to war. The Indianapolis Light
Artillery has won the highest laurels as a
militia organization. You have vanquished
all competitors, you have won fame for the
State. AS Indianians we are proud OF
you. You will a k the field under the very
best auspices. Your officers and men have
attained a high efficiency in drill. You have
already a high esprit de corps. You have
will not, be second in war. You have at
tanned great Efficiency in diSmounting your
own guns, and now you are to try what you
can do in dismounting the enemy's guns.
You have, as a trained and organized
militia, q great advantage over the volun-
teers of 1S61-62. Our foes are not, thank God,
Ll1OSc III OuI OWh i AAoN Noo 80
for the life of the Union; this a war Tor
humanity. That for ourselves; this for the
oppressed Of another race. We could not
escape this conflict. Spanish rule had be-
come effete. We dare not say that we have
Gods commission to deliver the oppressed
the world around. To the distant Armeni-
ans we could send only the succor of a
faith that overcomeS death, and the allev1a-
tons which the nurse and the commissary
can give. But the oppressed CubanS and
their starving women and children are
knocking at our doors; their cries penetrate
our SAUNDERS They are closely within what
we have defined to be the sphere of Ameri-
not to Europe and we cannot shirk the
responsibility and the dangers of this old
Nation. towards Cuba the same high COM
mission which every braVe-hearted man has
to strike down the ruf11an who, in his pres
ence, beats a woman or a child and will not
desist. For what, If not for this, does God
make a man or a nation strong?
I'VE nave disclaimed in the face of the
nations of Europe. who are now dividing
continents much as hungry boys might di-
vide a melon, that We have a purpose to
her free; to give to her own people that
which we have claimed and established for
ourselves-the right to set up and maintain
a government suitable to their own necessi-
ties, controlled by their own suffrages. We
covet' from her, as from all the nations of
America, only the offices Of good neighbors
and the fair and natural exchange of COM
merce. We do not deny dominion to Europe
in order to seize it for ourselves. But we
may Justly, L tnlnk, IN the west lnOleS, ana
in the far Eastern sea, where our gallant
navy has won so splendid a victory, hold
some little unpeopled harbors where our
cruising wal ships may take coal and find
a refuge when in stress.
II do not doubt that speedily-though no
man can set the times which God plans
States has addressed itself will be COM
pletely and permanently accomplished.
l congratulate you, my young friends, that
you are to have a part in 1t. l challenge
your interest and your duty, that you quit
yourselves like men; that you enter upon
your duties with the seriousness and sense
Of obligation, which will make you efficient
and victorious in your campaign. Let us
not forget that there is in all this a moral
impulse. and that the soldier who goes from
this high impulse of moral courage is the
best soldier after all.
"Those women send you to the succor Of
the starving and oppressed women of Cuba
They cannot carry the flag into battle. but
they bring it to you who can. And to its
significance and glory as the national en-
blem they add the beauty of their love and
their charge that you bear 1t in honor and
bring it home in triumph
In accepting the flag from Miss Edith
Wallick, who presented it. Captain Curtis
made a neat speech, promising thatsthe flag
should never be dishonored. Miss Wallick
had prepared the following brief speech to
go with the flag: THE young ladies of In
dianapolis present this flag to Battery A
with the wish that it may be carried in tri-
umph to free Cuba and returned to Indiana
crowned with the success which al
ways attends our flag" After the bat
terry broke ranks, the men gave three cheers
for the young ladies. for General Harrison
and for Captain Curtis. AS the boys cheered
for their popular commander. all hats went
up into the air.
Tomorrow afternoon, at Ais o'clock, the
Daughters of the American Revolution,
Caroline Scott Harrison Chapter. will pre-
sent a beautiful new flag to the Second Reg
iment. Colonel Harry b, Smith commanding.
This presentation will take place in front
OF the grand stand and the public generally
is invited to witness II. John L. Griidths
viii make the speech for the ladies of the
society. The r~egimental band from La