The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-21
THE GOVERNOR AT CAMP.
Took Mess with Col. Durbin and Adj
dressed the COIOred Companfes.


dressed the COIOred Companfes.
Colonel Durbin and staff entertained at
mess last evening the following guests:
Governor and Mrs. Mount, Secretary Chas
e. Wilson and Mrs. Wilson, the wife and
mother of Major Megrew, Mrs. Peterson,
wife of Major Peterson, and her mother,
Mrs. Allison, of Cincinnati. After mess,
Company A. of Hammond, commanded by
Captain Odds, gave an exhibition of the
."setting-up" drill in front of regimentai
headquarters, and later the Governor and
party witnessed a similar drill by the coll
ored companies. At the conclusion of these
exercises Captains Porter and Buckner
massed the colored troops, and from his
carriage Governor Mount addressed them
He said:
you are now in a position to serve your
country with honor and make history for
your race. You can add new luster to the
act of the immortal hero who emancipated
your people and vindicate the Justice of the
law that made you citizens and gave to you
the ballot. Your position is an honorable
one and fraught with grave responsibilities.
You are about to write page in the his
tory of your race which will either tend to
eliminate or Tx more strongly race preju-
dice. When l learned that the United
states government would not accept regi-
panies, asked that Indiana might furnish
a colored regiment, differed by their own
men. This being apparently impracticable
l asked permission to furnish a colored bat
talon, with a colored major, which likewise
proved fruitleSs. After long and earnest
pleading, in which 1t was represented to the
War Department that colOred companies,
commanded by colored captains, had served
with honor for many years in the Indiana
National Guard, I was permitted to allow
these captains to organize companies, with
the assurance that / could commission them
captains and that they would be accepted.
l made the plea that you might be accorded
fn 70 or
selves. This is new departure. You are
the first cOlored volunteers to be accorded
volunteer commanders of your own race.
act. These augmented privileges increase
responsibilities.
Captains, you are assuming grave duties.
If you demonstrate that colored officers
have the ability to command, to discipline, to
inspire the men under them, you will have
written a bright page in the history of your
people. Soldiers of the independent colored
companies you are on trial. The eyes, not
only of the citizens of Indiana, but of the
Nation, are fixed upon you. Your people
turn to you, and expect of you that you
will demonstrate to the world that you can
be safely trusted in critical emergencies to
with a steadfast purpose that shall chal-
lenge the admiration of the world. Neither
iuency of rhetoric nor profuse resolutions
much toward the elevation of a people.
Deeds are more potent than speech, actions
more forceful than resolutions. Booker I.
Washington has wrought with his hands
as we'll as planned with his mind and in
spired with his oratory.
Officers, do your duty earnestly, faith
fully, bravely. Through your untiring Wig
ilance and unfiagging zeal. make your COM
paDies efficient. Seek to have them excel in
drill. in respect and in soldierly bearing.
In short make the esprit du corps such as
to enable your companies to take the high
est rank. Soldiers. be obedient TO your
commanders Demean yourselves in man.
ner worthy the honor of true American sol
diers. Bear hardships with fortitude, meet
temptation with courage, face danger like
heroes. Quit yourselves like men, and you
will record an honored page in history for
your race"
The speech was loudly applauded and the
colored companies joined in three rousing
cheers for the Governor.