The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-17


plan" for municipal ownership was promul-
gated The Hispano-American war was the
topic for consideration, and the rooms were
decorated becomingly with American and
Cuban flags, and here and there was a por-
trait Of Rear Admiral Dewey. About one
hundred and fifty guests were present. in
Guiding Colonel Barnett, of the One-hun-
dred-aud-fifty-nint Regiment, Indiana
Volunteers, and two or three other officers
from Camp Mount. President D. M. Parry,
of the Commercial Club. presided over the
formal part of the affair, and called upon
Hugh III. Hanna TO fire the first gun" of
the war of talk
Mr. Hanna declared he was not a profess
sional speech-maker, but said he was glad
OF the opportunity to congratulate the
Commercial Club upon such meeting He
declared that we are in the midst of the
most solemn and earnest crisis in the Ma
tlons history, not even excepting the civil
war and the events which led up to it. 1t
Was so not only on account of the present
problems, such as the possible loss of life
and the prostration of commerce and indus
try, but on account of the questions liable
to rise in a diplomatic way on account of
the requirement of territory The Euro
pean nations, he said, had looked upon the
people Of the United States as a sort of a
mosaic aggregation of money-getters but,
while the people were successful in making
money, there was never an occasion when
the American showed to such an advantage
as when his sympathy was aroused and his
patriotism unreined in response to his coun-
try's call 1--WE are on Gods side in this
cause" declared Mr.. Hanna, land God is on
our side, and we are safely on the way to
the establishment of liberty in the western
hemisphere" Mr.. Hanna favored the indie
pendence of Cuba and hoped the United
States would retain possession of Porto
Rico, which would prove valuable in the
completion of the Nicaraguan canal.
DEWEY AND HIS VICTORY.
W. II. H. Miller spoke next. His remarks
were largely in eulogy of Admiral Dewey
He said there was no occasion for surprise
that Dewey had annihilated the Spanish
fleet in the Pacific. 1t was in the nature of
things for the Americans to win naval bat
ties He referred to the victory of Paul
Jones, who conquered the enemy's ship after
his own was sinking under him. One of the
gratifying results Of the little Ego" with
Spain, Mr.. Miller thought, is that seen in
the change of public sentiment and the SEN
timent of Congress, which now favors the
thought if the people were proud OF the
history Of such a navy as the United States
has had they were also justly proud of the
army and Indiana especially had a right to
feel a pride in the $50 regiments she sent to
the civil war. Every one proved itself equal
to whatever was expected of it. Mr.. Miller
predicted that the regiments now being sent
to the front would make equally as good a
showing
Colonel Barnett, of the Northumberland
fifty-ninth Regiment was called upon and
spoke briefly about the men who are in the
Indiana regiments now going to war. He
said they were young men and boys of good
character and such as the country could i'll
afford to lose But they are of the right
them would return to become useful and
honored citizens again. He asked for the
prayers of the people of Indiana that this
S. e. Morss. of the Sentinel. said he be-
lieved Mr. Hanna had injured his reputation
for truth and veracity by saying he was not
a speaker and then making one of the best
speeches ever heard in the club. Mr.. Morss
felt that he was in 10 danger of injuring his
own reputation in the same way. He also
said he did not like an intimation made by
Mr.. Miller that the newspapers do not al
ways tell the truth. A recent example of the
ease with which the papers tell the truth
was in the publication of a thrilling account
of the battle of Manila a few days after it
occurred, when the cable was cut and there
was no possible means of communication.
Mr.. Morss closed by repeating Commodore
Decatur's toast: Our countryi May she al
ways be right, but right or wrong, our
country
Judge Willard Cox, Col Z. e. Merrifeld,
Judge Gavin and Charles r. Williams were
called upon without warning and made brief
remarks of a patriotic nature. Colonel Mer-
rifield recited some original verses touching
on the battle of Manila. The speech-mak-
ing was closed by John w: Kern. who said
he had received a note of warning thirty
minutes before and had prepared in his mind
some things he expected to say, but that
had compe etT @ Knocked him eiU out He
never felt so much like going forth to smite
the foes of his country as after hearing
tunate for his family that a recruiting office
was not handy at that moment Mr.. Kern
declared that Colonel Barnett need have no
fears but every footstep of the Indiana SOL
diers would be watched from the time they
left here until they return.
I'VE live in fortunate age said Mr..
Kern. Not more than third of a century
ago the people of Europe were predicting
that the American Republic had but a few
years of future before it; that it would be
destroyed by internal discussions. Yet it
was but thirty-three years to the day from
the time that General Robert Lee gave up
his sword at AppomattoX to General Grant
that Fitzhugh Lee, one of the Confederate
officers rode across the united country the
most honored of her citizens. Witness the
spectacle of the President receiving a vote
of confidence from Congress and receiving
S50000,0OQ to be expended by him without
condition to preserve the honor of the
Nation. In 1856 there were about thirteen
million votes cast after one of the hottest
campaigns known and of these about six
and half millions were against William
Mckinley. They were opposed to him i'm an
election in 1896, but the whole thirteen mil
lions are his supporters in $685. | speak for
the six and half millions who were for
the Nebraska man then but who are now
giving their support to William Mckinley
Spain has been humbled and the honor and
integrity of the United States established
MR.. KERN'S DECLARATION
Mr.. Kern said his only son in Washing
ton had written for permission to Join a
company and go to war; His reply was to
the effect that If he were in the boys place
he would do the same thing. ST will go
myself if necessary" declared Mr.. Kern.
He said the kind of history that is now
being made is essential to the life of re-
public. He concluded by declaring in favor
of a better navy. What we want" he said.
lis navy that will size up with Dewey"
w. II. II. Miller, in concluding his re-
marks, suggested that a committee be ap-
pointed 10 draft resolutions expressing sym
pathy with Colonel Lilly, the founder of the
Commercial Club, who is critically i'll at his
home. The president appointed Messrs
Miller. Hanna and Kern. and the following
resolutions We're prepared and unanimously
adopted by the club:
Resolved, That we, the members of this
club hear with deep grief of the pro-
tracted and serious illness of Colonel Eli
Lilly, whom we recognize as the founder
of this club, as one of the most public
spirited and useful citizens of our city and