The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-31

ldTE dTUUITTTI WT-TI Nus 20 HTTNITN an n
soldier or sailor In order 10 gain laureis as
such. or TO make those occupations a LIES
task. II was free from every religious in
huence. which has 50 powerfully at times
IN the distant past moved human beings to
ADOPT the profession OF arms. IL was equal
ly free from all thought OF self-aggrandizs-
ment or extension OF national possessions. IL
was a holy and pure patriotism that led
him 20 tender his services 10 Dis im2eriled
country.
He fully appreciated that the service
involved a bloody contest with his fellow
citizens Of the South. lie had learned OF
their preparation for that contest. Hc
knew how terribly in earnest was their de-
sire Tor a separation and how strongly
;Eey believed In their imagined superiority
over their brothers OF the North and West.
and still. Notwithstanding all these deter
rent influences. each comrades patriotism
was sufficiently strong and pure 10 impel
HIM 10 respond 10 the call OF duty. Nay.
more ihan All this. In many OF the states
" hicE furnished quotas 10 the Union forces.
the strong ties OF partisSnShip. often welded
Dy the uninterrupted inheritance CT sew
efaI generations and which naturally IN
q country ike ours became almost a part
or Their natures, were frequently invoked
TO weaken and destroy the patriotic in
silncts or oCr comrades. and in that con-
Hecton IL must be said IL was almost an
everyday occurrence to hear that war in
which he was asked TO participate called a
war 10 rob the South Of its property rights
as Wei as its freedom. and still this hum
bic citizen whom we help 10 honor to-day
was patriotic enough 10 offef 10 serve MS
country ana 10 make the glorious SacrlIce
Ct life. If required of him. in that service
Nor was this humble citizen, after his IN
auction into the army or navy, an ordinary
soldier or sailor. He brought TO the dis
charge of his difficult tack a fearlessneSs.
ccnsclentiousness and a capacity and dis
position 10 learn which have never been
surpassed in the history of al the nations
of the earth He was the equal OF the best
so-called machine soldier and sailor OF ths
strongest m~onarchies. having standing
armies and naVies. and then added TO the
attributes OF such the best independent
individual qualities which a soldier or a
sailor could possibly possess. The humble
their commanders. however difficult or dan
gerous OF execution. They never wavered
or halted until victory perched upon our
banner. They overcame all obstacles.
"While possibly the advantage OF num-
bers was with our army, a still greater
advantage of fighting IN the territory OF
our opponents was with those who fought
to destroy cur country. The war in the
Transvaal, where over 200.Oc0 trained SOL
ciers and sailors OF England are contend
ing with less than 10000 of Beers. and
our own trouble in the Philippine islands
reed only to be mentioned 10 remove all
doubt as TO the Importance or value or
this latter advantage.
But our soldier and citizen was not only
great in the performance of every duty and
in the overcoming of every obstacle: he
was also great In guarding himself against
the perpetrating of such wrongs as are
frequently INDUCED in by victorious armies.
and as the greatest manifestation OF his
a. - a Z rA AAAAC ~
mentioned that those who survived the
struggle returned to their civic occupations
our reunited country, and with an unbound
ed Veneration for the civil laws of the
land. which has been manifested by them
on every occasion.
EXEMPLARY CITIZENS.
Not only did they make exemplary cit
liens as far as their own conduct was con-
cerned. but in the furtherance OF the best
.tora~ - -,.- 81 - =
torious soldiers and sailors % the Republic
forgave their opponents. the vanquished
armies OF the South. and unheSitatingly
urged them to renew their allegiance to a
reunited country and invited them to a free
and equal participation in all the rights OF
American citizenship. the greatest Of all
earthly boons. Such an example OF un-
selfish patriotism the world had not before
witnessed. Foreign statesmen stood aghast
at this unparalleled exhibition of gener-
osity. The proudest acts of foreign nobility
were eclipsed by this unexampled conduct
OF the American volunteer.
while we cannot add TO their glorious
achievements. of which their country has
so much reason 10 be proud. we can bring
some balm and consolation to the hearts OF
those who gave up their loved ones for our
country's good: a mere recital OF their
great accomplishment in language, free
from extravagance: proves that these he
truthful statement OF their patriotism and
virtues entities them TO be placed for all
ume 70 come IN every temple OF fame ded-
icated TO liberty and freedom. 1t may not
be possible 10 inScribe their individual
names. in the temples of fame. because their
number Is legion. but the memory OF their
glorious deeds will be preserved with the
names and deeds of their chosen leaders.
whose bright and shining heroism and
splendid achievements were made possible
by the u~neQualed sacrifices of the humble
patriots who bore the brunt of privation
and battle when our country was confront
0d DIR a. HAnHAaf WArfl
And right here In this beautiful ceme-
terry, one new mound reminds us OF him
who only recently has been called from
your ranks to assume his station In the
bright galaxy OF heroes who have as
sembled on the other shore. Gen. BENJAMIN
Harrison. the Union volunteer, the twenty
third President OF the United States OF
America. What purer and nobler life could
YOU select, my comrades, from the great
the niche OF any temple OF fame? Where is
the civic life in the history OF the world
which surpasses IL In It's beauty and It's
freedom from blemish? Where can you find
the possessor OF a more valorous career in
the military service of his country Where
will you look TO eclipse the purity, ability
and fearlessness In the doing OF the right in
an official OF his country Though he may
not rank as high as Abraham Lincoln in
the history Of his country. IL Is only because
he was denied the extraordinary Opportuni-
ties vouchsafed to the latter. No one will,
for a moment. believe him unworthy of be-
ing placed in the immediate company OF
lnlS kTtdleSl character OF modern tunes.
But, my comrades. the country at large
will not permit you 10 appropriate as your
own this splendid example of American
citizenship. His exceptional attributes OF
mind and great services are too well known
TO admit OF such a course being pursued.
The whole country claims him, ard more
particularly his comrades OF the war OF the
rebellion. The latter owe him a special
debt OF gratitude. Though lifted 10 the
highest rank In his profession. though
elected 10 the highest legislative body OF
the country. though raised 10 the highest
Office in the gift OF the Nation. he never
failed TO find time TO follow in the foosteps
of Abraham Lincoln. To bind up the Ma
tion's wounds. 10 care for him who shall
have borne the battle. and for his widow
and orphan ON the contrary. otw.th
standing his well-merited elevation and the
endless demands upon his time and thought
caused thereby. his ears were not dulled nor
his eyes dlmmed 10 the just claims OF those
whom he proudly called his comrades. To
his everlasting credit be IL said lat. during
his term as President. the most benefcent
pension law on the statute BOOKS. that law
which received the earnest support Of our
Hamlin. the associate OF Mr.. Lincoln. was
enacted.
4 GREAT STATESMAN.
General Harrison may not have been a
great politician. but he certainly was a
great statesman, whose wise, conservative
and just conduct as such is without n flaw.
ard whose biographers viii find in his life
no occasion for apology. While wisely sec
ending every effort 10 upbuild the material
resources OF the South and assisting in the
removal of all disabilities Of its people. he