The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-04

to the armies OF the belligerents. The an
ceasing vigilance of Governor Morton,
composed OF the patriotic men OF all parties,
prevented invasion. Could the secession
ISIS nave entered, fortified and held posi-
tlon IN southern Indiana at some critical
period in the contest il would have been
fatal TO the Union cause.
The men in those times who were so
short-sighted as to undertake 10 stem he
tide OF patriotic sentiment, who thought
IN secure personal promotion oft or the
country 5 peril by giving aid and comfort
10 me enemy soon found they were not only
without following. but had the jeers and
co1tenlpt Of both soldiers and patriotic cit.-
gems. Not only was the noncr Of the State
.FaV-d by meeting every obligation, hut the
courage or her soldiers on every battlefield
and the ability of her officers challenged
the applause or the whole Naucn. ihey
WlpeC out and avenged he SANDER of
jefferson Davis that Indiana soldiers were
towards at Buena Vista
TWO GREAT EPOCHS.
The Declaration of Independence at Phila-
delphia in July, I776, and the surrender of
the armies and collapse of the Southern
Confederacy in 1865 were two great epochs
in the history of human affairs. Their
magnitude will not diminish but will in
crease as the ages shall come and go. The
first great event initiated and made the
the consent of the governed, recognizing
the individual man as the sovereign and
cOnIerrlng all power upon him.
Inc second great event verified what few
mad Delieved-that such government was
the strongest tnat human wisdom had ever
conceived or constructed. Not only had
the Nation maintained her sovereignty, but
10 aVold a recurrence of such a civil con-
Vuls1on In the future with heroic treatment
used the sword Of liberty to cut out the
cancer OF slavery, making the country In
her policy and her laws consistent with the
nag as the symbol of freedom and with the
great declaration as an earnest of her pur-
pose.
When the United States came out of the
great conflict stronger, purer and freer
than before all the prophets of evil Were
confounded. The intelligent of other ma
lions could not fail to observe that the
American citizen had a higher conception
OF and more determined purpose to guard
the rights of the humblest citizen. and,
recognizing the moral and political advan-
tage of the destruction of the incubus of
involuntary servitude, they conceded a
our Republic.
We became challenge for the emulation
or other nations. 1t was our ability to
stand the storm Of civil war and abolish the
curse or AFRICAN slavery that has resulted
In republic in Mexico, in Brazil in France.
Also the Hawaiian islands struck for lib
erty ana asked for the protection of our
RepuDlc and now are a part of ii. The
Island of Cuba being so near us and it's
commercial relations with us so close and
constant, and so many of our people hav-
ing great interest in the island the Gu
bans learned the lessons of human rights
by contact with our own people They
caught the spirit of liberty, which was in
tensifed by our victory in 1865. The very
breezes from our freer and happier land in
spired them with q burning and irrepreSsi-
bic desire to throw off the yoke of a despot-
ism that was and had been robbing them
for centuries. They declared for liberty.
Spain sent her great armies and navies and
tried to conquer them, but. failing TO do
so, resorted to the most barbarous and Iln-
warranted means. The civilized world was
horrif1ed at her cruelty. Our government
protested again and again, and not only
demanded protection to American interests.
but that the war against the Cubans should
be carried on in accord with the rules of
civilized warfare.
THE SPREAD OF LIBERTY.
The protests were UNDECIDED and war with
Spain was the result. Our gallant navy
soon sent that of Spain to the bottom of
the and our soldiers compelled a sur
render at the first battle. AS a result Cuba
| will have a republic of her own choosing
The Philippine islands and Porto Rico will
| now have the blessings of civil and re-
| ligious liberty the domain Of despotism is;
diminished, the area of liberty is enlarged.
| These are some of the manifest proofs of
preserving the American Union. 1t is I'M
necessary to add that our defeat in the
| civil war would have been the end of our
| history as a nation. The East and the
| West. the North and the South would each
| for themselves have organized confed-
worthy TO carry the stars and stripes or
! inherit the glories of the revolutionary
| fathers. The two great events stand out
therefore, on the horizon of the history of
human liberty like two great mountain
peaks, looming higher and their outline
becoming more distinct and magnificent as
| the years carry us farther away.
The names of the great leaders too
| numerous TO repeat. who faithful to the
truth and devoted to the highest interests
| or the race, men who refused to be con-
| quered and who made the Declaration of
Independence a living fact, are household
| words In the homes of every true Ameri-
! can. Yea, more they are known and re-
! vered wherever history has carried the
| story of the past. They among the i'm
| mortals. Not less honored are the men
! who, animated with the same spirit and
| nigh purpose, have made the government
| the fathers created the grandest power on
earth and the greatest blessing to man
The first great event was but the twilight
| of human liberty, the second the rising
sun in full-orbed splendor, no longer dark
| ened by doubts or obscured by the clouds
| OF slavery. The men who led the liberty
| loving forces of the second secured and
| made permanent all that was attempted by
| the first: Their names will shine in all
| for 1t does not require the gift of prophesy
| to see that there are to be no backward
| steps in the liberation and elevation of
| man.
Among the men whose courage. ability
and integrity wrought out this grand re-
suit was our own Oliver p. Morton. To
muse VI uS VIII personally knew MIN. knew
| his great organizing and executive ability
! MS untlrlng energy and his ceaseless de-
| votion to the soldier and the great cause
| for which he was fighting. the inspiration
| ne infused INTO the whole Union army can
but wonder If the Union cause could have
succeeded without him
In engaging in this memorial service as
| American citizens, and especially as In
dianians, we do honor to ourselves and
magnify our own self-respect. I had the
| honor to be on close confidential reIationS
| with Governor Morton before and All
| through his official life. 1 deem it a precious
privilege TO pay this small tribute to my
| departed friend.
Address of Hon. A. c. Harris,
| AT the conclusion of Mr.. Cumback's ora
| ton the vested choir rendered an insnirinp