The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-23
THE LOYAL LEGION MEN
OBSERVE WAsHINGTON's BIRTHDAY
WITH A BANQUET.
One of the COMMANDERS Largest
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES by Col. VIII
Cumback and Others.

sent every member but one. Members came
on the earlier trains and spent the day in
town.
The business meeting was held at 7:3O.
General Wallace presiding. Major James
a. MITCHELL of Lafayette, was elected to
membership. Resolutions were adopted
asking Congress TO pass the flag bill row
pending and to make arrangements to ex-
tend the courtesies of the commandery to
visiting companions who will attend the
meeting of the Uniformed knights of
Pythias. May was fixed as the date of
the annual meeting. The business meeting
was followed by a collation., music and
speaking. The music was furnished by the
Philharmonic Club. Edward Nell, director.
The first regular address was by Col Will
Cumback. He was followed by Judge Had
ley, who told of a recent visit to the Union
family which cared for him during the var.
Colonel Cumback said in part;
1T is a proper thing to do on this an
niversary of the birth of Washington TO
connect with his name the other two great
Americans Lincoln and Grant. In consid-
ering the great problem of self-government
and the history of its trials from the Dec
laration of American Independence 10 this
time, the connection is natural and logical.
When Great Britain denied the right of
petition and imposed taxation without rep
resentatien and in many other ways OPP
having clear and well defined conception of
the inherent rights of man, did not hesitate
for moment TO define his position. Ills
ancestors for several centuries had rendered
the crown of England honorable and inn
portant service. This would have caused
weak man to falter. But not so with him.
In the very beginning of this unwarranted
| injustice TO the colonies, with all the energy
that was characteristic of the man, he
commenced to organize the forces for re-
sistance.
He took the position with John Adams,
Patrick Henry and other patriots to de-
feat the schemes of the mother country
that had given his ancestors such an hon
orable place in her history. When we re-
call the fact that his associates were the
gentry of Virginia to whom large quantities
of land had been given by England, and
many of whom when the contest came,
abandoned him and denounced him as
rebel, it adds new luster to his devotion
and courage. 1t was the lack of this es-
sental element of human character that
many true American was drafted in the
ranks of secession, yet whose love for the
Union was never extinguished and whose
rejoicings came with the triumphs of her
cause.
ITO Washington the civilized world has
given the credit of laying the foundation
experiment of self-government. When an
other great crisis came to Lincoln and
Grant was awarded the great distinction. Of
preserving, perpetuating and purifying the
very fountain Of political power, dark
clouds of difficulty and doubt often sur
rounded them all. Had either OF them been
blities upon them no human knowl-
edge can foresee the fearful consequences
that would have resulted All Of them were
fighting the battles of humanity and free
manhood for all time to come.
More has been said and written about
these three great Americans than any other
citizens of our Republic Nothing remains
to be said or written that has not already
been before the public So intense has been
everything pertaining to them has been
considered not only by Americans, but the
1fx To 81 lpatfr, 70
Many others have startled the world by
some great achievement so that for the
nonce they seemed to have secured place
among the immortals. But when the search
light is turned on the whole life and the
crucial test of the motives is applied and,
all the averages made, the glory becomes
dim. and the fame that was thought to be
perpetual is but the evanescent notoriety of
his day and generation. Such fame when
flashing of the brilliant meteor to that of
the clear. steady rays of an eternal sun. The
tame OF washington, Lincoln and Grant mas
| by the honors the American people have
thrust upon them, except as 1t gave them
u wider range to show the high purposes
that controlled their glorious lives. The
American people honored themselves by this
exhibition of their grateful appreciation of
their nestimabie value to the Nation. The
high commissions given to them by the
people rightfully belonged to them and were
mere incidents in their, great lives. Their
fame does not depend on these things.
other men have held high places, but
they were the creating of partisan expedi-
ency they hold small place in the memory
or affection of their countrymen.
But not so with the immortals we are
considering tonight. Above and beyond all
these petty conflicts of partisan strife their
fame rests secure. 1t is environed and
guarded by the best thought and the high
est conception Of right and justice of the
philanthropist and the patriot-those lofty
ranges of human love and purpose that
reach up near the great heart of infinite
love that they are made luminous by his
smile and benediction. While the lapse of
passing wears are carrying the human race
farther and farther from the time of our
heroes, yet each upward step our race will
make, each intervening cloud of barbarism
that will be swept away, each despotism
that will be overthrow, each manacle of
the slave that will be broken, and each
temple of liberty that will be erected in all
the future will bring the great heart of
humanity nearer and nearer to these great
leaders of a newer and better civilization"
Among the companions who were at the
meeting were the following: Capt. Milton
Garrigus, kokomo; Capts. A. NJ. Scott and
James G. Knox, Ladoga: Col. r. l.. Lesson,
Elwood: Lieutenant John Burk, Vincennes;
Capt. T. r. Woods. Franklin Capt A. c.
Ford. Capt b. F.: Haven, Terre Haute; Col.
G. e. Briant, Huntington; Capt. A. A.
Knapp, Union City; Capt. William r.
and Surgeon Coleman Logansport; Col. ].
w. .Headington. Portland Col. win Cum
Knightstown; Capt J. o. Pedigo, Capt.
James Bragg. Capt. R. w. Harrison,
DR.. Kemper, Capt W. A. sampson Capt.
T. H. Kirby, DR.. II. NJ. Winans. Muncie:
Capt. J. II. Mauzy, Surgeon J. H. Spurrier,
Capt. Ben l.. Smith, Capt. u. ID. Cole
Rushville: Judge Comstock. DR.. ]. T.. Tay-
Tor, Dr. NJ II. Haynes, Paul Comstock,
Richmond; Capt. w. S. Stitt. Capt. w. NJ.
Henly, c. l.. Henly. Wabash; Capt. w. p.
Heron. General Lew Wallace. Capt. Henry
Campbell DR.. s. L. Ensminger, Crawfords-
Vile; Col. John lowering, Col. j. II. Van
Malta Col. John p. Megrew. Surgeon
George +. Beasley, Capt. John r. Wagner
Lafayette: Quartermaster G. j. Bockius.
Marion; Capt. Joseph Balsley. Seymour;
Judge Hadley and Capt. j. B. Herman,
Danville. The Indianapolis members pres
r. S. Foster Gen. G. f. McGinnis, Capt.
Alexander Hess. Capt. James r. Henry,
Lieut.. J. +. Vought Maj. Irwin Robbins,
Capt Welcome Rice, Chaplain d. X. Lucas
Capt. Horace Mckay, LIEUT.. w II. Arm
strong. Rev T. s. Guthrie. Capt. John L.
Cleland. Col. James r. Ross. Major r.
b. Peck, Gen. James r. Carnahan, Col.
Oran Perry Col. /. N. Walker, Lieut.. c.
r. Merrifed Surgeon Charles l.. Wilson,
Rev NJ. l.. Haynes, u. D.. Capt. r. n.
Lamb. Capt. Nicholas Ensley, Frank Mar
| tin II. +. AIcgrew. w. b. Poland Malott
| Fletcher John A. Finch, DR.. c. A. Wilson.
| ley. Fred T. Ross Major Sanford FORMER.
Among the invited guests were Rev. DR..
| Christensen United States Marshal Ker-
| cheval. DR.. +. i. Heath, Robt. Martin
dale w. w. Richardson, George w. Taylor
| A. A. Young Hon. Geo. a. Shidler, Marion
| Hon. j. J. NJ. Lafollette.
WESTERN BALL LEAGUE.