The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-17
The Audience Would Gladly Have
Kept Him ON His Feet
for Some Time.
BIG TIME AT TOMLINS0N HALL
ADDRESS THAT CARRIED THE VET
ERANs BACK TO DAYS OF WAR.
The PersimmOn Brigade Reunion In
Criminal CourtroOm-Oth-
er Reunions.

Both auditorium and gallery were taxed
to their full seating capacity at the camp
fire at Roberts Park Church last night, and
those who arrived late had to find standing
room in the aisles. The announcement that
James Whitcomb Riley was to recite "Old
Glory" probably brought out an additional
number.
The large audience was composed of an
equal number of men and women, who
seemed to thoroughly enjoy every number
on the programme The interior of the
church was richly decorated with flags,
which were draped in soft folds clear
around the balcony in honor Of the
womans Relief Corps. Immediately fol-
lowing the invocation by Rev. NJ. L.
Haines the chairman Of the evening, Mr..
A. o. Marsh. made a few Introductory re-
marks in which he paid tribute to the hos
pitality of the people of Indianapolis, say
ing that it seemed particularly fitting that
the Grand Army of the Republic. now tot
tering in old age, should come and march
through the streets Of such a grand city.
Said he: I'VE have gathered in this city.
in which are the homes of some Of the
greatest heroes and statesmen in the world.
Conspicuous among these is that great
leader who went out as a soldier to uphold
his country's flag, and who since that time
has taken rank among the greatest states
men of the earth. / refer to your distin-
guished citizen, Benjamin Harrison In
conclusion Chairman Marsh said 1t was
most fitting that the old soldiers should
come to Indianapolis and march around the
magnificent shaft which had been erected
to commemorate their patriotism. At the
conclusion of his remarks the chairman an
nounced the unavoidable absence of Gen.
John c. Black and introduced the mixed
quartet of Plymouth Church as the next
number on the programme The fine rem
dition Of the patriotic selection was warm
ly applauded and the quartet was COM
PEELED to respond to an encore, the whole
audience joining in the chorus
OVATION FOR RILEY.
When James Whitcomb Riley was intro
duced the enthusiasm of the audience was
given loose rein and several minutes
elapsed before Mr. Riley was able to make
| himself heard. His selection of ''Old Glory
was particularly fitting for the occasion,
of his poem was such as only James Whit
| comb Riley could have given. When Mr..
Riley had concluded the audience seemed
| bent on showing him just how much it
| thought of the Hoosier poet. and it is very
probable that he was never more warmly
or enthusiastically applauded. He declined
| giving an encore, stating through the
| chairman that he was utterly unable to
| do so.
Col. Samuel Merrill. of California, re-
lated a number of humorous anecdotes of
| his experiences in the war which convulsed
| the audience with laughter. He concluded
| his address by paying a warm tribute to
| the old soldiers, who. he said, had fulfilled
| their destiny and could now look back with
pride upon records of heroism unequaled
| in the annals of history. He said they had
| gone out to fight for the right and the
right had prevailed.
| Following Colonel Merrill the Bald
headed Glee Club sang humorous selec-
| ton, which was warmly applauded the
| glee club responding with an encore
| MR.. MARTIN TALKS.
| Frank Martin. deputy auditor of state,
| introduced by the chairman as the former
| commander of the Sons of Veterans of the
| State of Indiana, warmly eulogized the
Grand Army of the Republic for the part
it had played in the Nations history, say
ing that the soldiers of 81 and '65 had full
filled their destiny. Said he: I'm 1861 these
soldiers of the Grand Army of the Republic
, found the colored man a slave but the
veterans of 1866 found those slaves free
/ men. These men fulfilled the destiny of
the hour. and it seems out of place that
| we of the younger generation should meet
| with them at their camp fire. They are
bound together with the indissoluble ties
| of five years of comradeship in bloody bat
ties and the hardships of a terrible war
In this camp fire we have no part Mr..
| Martin said that it devolved upon the
| young men Of the present generation to
| carry on the good work that had been ac-
| complished by the veterans of the Grand
| Army of the Republic, for the future OF
| the country now rested on them. He said
| the soldiers of 81 were looking coward the
1 young men to see If they were going to
meet the future needs of the country, and
that 1t therefore devolved upon the young
men to be men of integrity; men who could
be relied upon in time of need. They must
also be men OF push and energy. ready to
take the flag If need be and plant il In for
eign climes. He said they must also have
faith in their country and the men who
ruled it and they must not believe that
the President of the United States would
stoop to bring "Old Glory into dishonor
And last Of all they must be loyal, and
| having these qualities the veterans of the
Grand Army could rest assured that their
| work was to stand for all time.
HOSPITALITY APPLAUDED.
Col. w. f. Mclean said that he wished
to thank the people OF indianapolis for
the royal treatment that had been accorded
the Grand Army OF the Republic. After
relating number OF humorous incidents