The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-19
THE OFFICIAL EXERCISES.
Gov. Mount Attends the Meeting
Mayor BecIk's Welcome.


Special to the Indianapolis Journal
COLUMBUS, Ind, May 18.-The official
exercises Of the G. A. r. began with an as
semblage of the Grand Army, Woman's Re
lief Corps Sons of Veterans and other or
CARNATIONS in the spacious City Hall to
receive the official welcome of the people
through Mayor Beck. This is an innovation
saving a welcome to each organization. 1t
was also announced that there would be no
committees to hear the greetings of one
body to the others Mayor Beck's address
to all these bodies is as follows:
"I extend, on behalf of the city of Column
bus most cordial welcome. To have the
veterans of this great State rendezvous
within our corporate limits WILL for all
time to come, be with us matter or PRIDE
growing in its significance and Importance
as the years go by. For, my friends, the
traditions of the veteran will always be
held in honor. The story of his deeds in the
greatest war of modern times will never
cease to be a cherished part of our litera;,
ture. More and more will the years reveal
the subimity of those deeds. And allow
anxiously trace their descent back to the
years 1861 to 1865 and happy will be he
who can plant himself upon the PROPOSE
ton that at this point or that in his family
history there stands man in blue fighting
for his country. Further than that, he will
not trace nor need he care, for time will
have brought such a store of venera BILE
ness and affection to the memory of that
man in blue that he who can trace to him
will stand in the brightest light ancestry
can shed. There is only one thing grander
than to be a son of a veteran, and that
is to be the veteran himself. 1t was a ter
rible struggle in which that man in blue
took part. It's cause has passed into the
Oblivion of mean and barbaric things, and
| it is pleasurabl to note that with the lapse
of years growing justice and nobler human
ity the prejudice by it inspired has given
way to nobler recollectons. The time is
come when the bitterness engendered by
Of
but cemented by brotherhood of patriot
ism and love for the flag. The North and
the South strike hands in one grand hurrah,
for the future with forgetfulness of the
past. And so it is that when the Maine
goes down million sons of the Nation arise.
And so it is that when the lives of our GAL
liant seamen are stfled by Spanish treach-
cry the flag shoots aloft, and hosts from
the ranks of the old-time blue and the old
and their. sons sons-rush to its defense
with patriotism in their hearts and upon
their lips the soul-stirring cry, Remember
the Maine" And so it is that together they
turn toward poor. struggling Cuba and with
fearful, up-turned. pleading faces they pray
the God of nations that speedy release may
pledge themselves that loving liberty for
themselves as they do, they will show by
their good works that they love it for others
none the less.
"Ah, and let us hope, my countrymen.
that on on. that day now soon here. when by
beautiful custom we strew, the graves of
on that day on Cuban soil. with Cuba free,
the old-time blue and the old-time gray
may, unmolested by the enemies of liberty
stand over the resting place of the heroes
of that noble battle ship and there together
twine cchaplets. there mingle their tears,
there pledge themselves anew to their com.
mon flag. My friends, it is useless for me
TO multiply words; you fully appreciate the
sentiments that actuate us when I say that
you are more than welcome, The cause of
liberty and the Nation gains much by such
comngs together as this l sincerely hope
that your stay may be most pleasant"
The address of the mayor was punctuated
with frequent applause. Department Com
mander Dodge responded for the Grand
Army and the Woman's Relief Corps and
Rev. Daniel Robertson for the Sons of Vet
Grams.
These exercises over, the session of the
Encampment began with the ritual service.
AS soon as this was over General JASPER
Packard asked consent to present resolu-
ton applauding President Mckinley for his
efforts to avert war as long as possible and
for the vigor with which he had prosecuted
it when it became inevitable. The reading
of the resolution was greeted with cheers
and the resolution was unanimously
adopted.
The address of the commander was lis
tened 10 with marked attention. His re-
marks on pensions were applauded and
after the session closed a large number of
commander and commended his words
During the opening exercises Governor
Mount and Admiral Brown came in. On be-
ing called upon Governor Mount smoke
briefly of the occasion and of the going forth
of the sons of Indiana to serve the country
These young men," the Governor said
will be better soldiers than were you. be-
cause they have your glorious example
your splendid achievements your Memorial
day teaching for an inspiration" He said
that the Indiana men were first in camp
and the first who were ready to go to the
field.
When Admiral Brown, the representative
of the salt" of the veterans, was called
he was greeted with continuous applause
,He excused himself for the evening camp
fire.
Colonel Stansifer for a long time con-
nected with the j. NJ. & ]. Railroad pre-
scented a gavel made of the cedar trees and
the oak mud sills used in 1886 in building
the road from Madison to Columbus.
The afternoon session was devoted to re-
ports OF officers and committees. The COM
mittee on Morton memorial was continued
with full power to act.
The Evansville post presented a resolu-
ton denounclng the pastor Of church in
that vicinity for refusing TO let members of
the c. A. X. enter a church where the
funeral OF comrade was to be held with
the flag. The resolution was adopted with
great enthusiasm The Richmond posts