The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-31
A Day of Sadness for A1I-LIeut. Col.
Mays TaIk-COlOnel Stude-
bakers MementOes.

heard.
IF there is such thing as Gods noble
man." said ono of the officers. chaplain
Medbury is one. At first he wanted to en-
list as private in Captain Gilbert's COM
pany. And through all of our experiences
together he has been the soldiers true
friend"
The three open pavilions were packed
with soldiers, and the space between the
buildings was full. The eager, upturned
faces were an inspiration to the speakers.
All listened most attentively, and there
were a few faces which showed where the
tears had coursed down them. A rare still
ness pervaded the entire assembly. At the
opening of his address the chaplain said:
'"These are the closing days of our life
together. We are all anxious for home, yet
there is sadness in separation. OF my own
work can only say that while others might
have filled my Office better none could have
loved the regiment more, nor rejoiced more
in every good thing the regiment has stood
for. Trying as the summer has been, it
has yet yielded precious memories which
will make my life broader in the years to
come. They will make me better man,
and a better minister of the gospel of
Christ"
The chaplain then gave his text, the say
ings of Paul, Brethren, my hearts desire
and prayer to God for Israel is that they
may be saved. And again, could wish that
l myself were accused from Christ for my
brethren's sake, my kinsmen, according to
the fiesh.' Mr. Medbury then said that
these are the words of Paul, the patriot.
They showed how willing he was to sacrifice
himself for his country's sake. His
patriotism was not a spasmodic i'm
pulse. 1t did not cry aloud his
country's praises one day and complain
of the government the next. 1t was based
on a knowledge of the purpose of God in
ruling that nations acts. Pauls patriotism
was not a blind partisan support Of every
thing FOR which his nation stood He con-
demned his nations rejection of Christ.
Like the prophets Of old. the patriot of to-
day will as often rebuke as praise his
country. 1t was a glorious thing for our
great Nation to heed the cry of oppressed
and desolated Cuba but it is a vicious thing
to share the profits of drink and leprous
houses of ill-fame.
THE MAN IN BLUE.
"The patriotism Of Paul is not matter
of Clothes he continued. mot all true
patriots have worn the blue nor all in blue
been truly patriotic. Many thousands have
only waited for the revelation of our coun-
try's need to take Their places by our side.
Some who have worn the blue have done
things worthy only Of those who would
overthrow our Nations most precious hertz
ages. 7 pray God that our regiment may be
largely free from guilt in this matter, and
1 cannot but believe that it is. Doff your
hats, all We people, to that man who wears
the blue, and in whose clean, manly life is
reflected all the glory of our country'S pur-
poses. But from that soldier who would
drag his countrys colors in the mire OF
sin, snatch the uniform of honor and clothe
him in the disease infected rags of shame"
Mr.. Medbury reviewed the historic mission
Of America. Then he sald Our Cuban war
has been holy war;. Our victories were
God-giyen, and their chief result has been a
revelation to this country of its mission to
God to the whole world. In the conduct of
the war, from the first day until now, there
has been much to add to the glory OF our
Nation. A man honored by all our citizen
God, with firm hand guided the ship of
state. 1t was thought we moved slowly,
but history is our vindication.
During the progress OF the war incidents
occurred which filed patriotic hearts with
pride. The spirit that animated all our bet
ter citizenship was reflected in the appeal
of Captain Philips to his men, who were
cheering while Spaniards were in the
esVs are ef dgag %e muat be Proud in
the magnanimity of our country to fallen
foe. We must be proud that we have had
Us rejoice together in the privilege Of our
young manhood. We pray that the little
we have written may add somewhat to the
country! Love such a f1agl The man who
does not is either vicious or dull and IN
sensate, lacking. the instincts of man
At the close of the sermon Chaplain Med
bury addressed the soldiers in a tone which
brought tears to the eyes of nearly every
tian men and work in noble manliness,"
said he BE obedient to the gospel, and
give thought to your eternal destiny To
the officers the chaplain said: our 1elloW-
shin has been pleasant. and the many pleas
ant memories of days spent together ana
the sad memories of our separation are not
to be thought lightly of. Soon we must re-
turn to our homes, and may 1t be, as these
boys have respected u.s. honorlng our
offices, that we may be worthy OF their sal
utations of honor In civil lie, Wnere all are
on an equal footing"
COLONEL MAYS TALK.
In his farewell talk, Colonel May said:
when our beloved Chaplain Medbury in
vited me to say farewell word to you TINS
morning / hesitated to accept My first
thought was to do you a better service by
remaining at the desk and signing your dls-
charges, but concluded that 1t was a good
opportunity to express my warm regard Tor
you and to thank you, one and all, for your
uniform courtesy and kindness to me
throughout our service as volunteers. am
glad that this is to be your last Sunday in
this camp and on the other hand l am
sorry. Glad that you are soon TO go, pc
cause you have suffered more or less dis-
l,
improve the situation under the discourage
ing elements which have prevailed Withal
your complaints have been few, and this
was in keeping with your manly, Soldierly
bearing throughout those trying days and
weeks under the broiling sun of southern
Florida. Pardon me If, to use the common
phrase, l present you with a bouquet by
saving that the e-hundred-and-fifty-
seventh Regiment, Indiana volunteers, Is,
and from its muster-in has been the most
orderly, well-behaved body of men l ever
saw. And such was your reputation at
Tampa, and elsewhere. l heard many dis
interested persons say as much wherever
you were encamped
Indeed, as ! used to walk through the
company streets in our camp at Port Tampa
/ felt sorry for you, but 1t was the fortune
of war that you should be held in suspense
there awaiting the order to embark for the
promised land. And when you think of the
hardships you endured in camp. remember
the trials borne so patiently by the
soldiers in the civil war, with whom 1t
was not merely few weeks. but. months
sunshine, or in rain, sleeping in water
soaked uniforms and blankets, with a few
hard and bloody fights thrown in to cheer
up their spirits. Although you have had only
a taste of war know that you would have
been equally patient and heroic had there
been opportunity; but you can rest upon
the laurels won by your prompt and cheer
full obedience to orders. The enemy at San
tiago de Cuba would not have yielded so
rapidly had they not known that YOU were
at Tampa, many thousand strong, eager TO
rush forward at the word of command
Just here i wish to say that many of
you were responsible for the early sickness
which fell upon you by your own i'm
prudence. Many of you recall the penalty
no "a fn.. 90 ffp~ and drinlxfnp nnvfhiner and