The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-14
A Letter from the General in
Answer to an Invitation to
Attend the Reunion.
a BUSINESS MEETING HELD
VETERANS WHO HAVE PASSED
AWAY SINCE LAST MEETING.
Reports of Officers Received and Dis
cussed and other Matters of
Importance Considered.

The auditorium of the German House was
beautifully but simply draped in the ma
tional colors last night in honor Of the pub
lie meeting OF the Society Of the Army of
the Tennessee. The speakers stand was
hanked on either side with palms, and just
beneath was stationed an orchestra that
at intervals played appropriate music.
Gen. George F. McGinnIs presided over
the meeting with dignity and grace. The
exercises opened in true military style with
sounding Of reveille by William s. Mitchell,
after which the invocation was offered by
Rev. NJ. l.. Haines. THE Star-spangled
Banner was then sung with stirring effect
by Mrs. Mary Pearson Kent, to whom the
presiding officer referred as a daughter of
the society.
The veterans were welcomed to Indiana
IN a brief but eloquent and feeling address
by Governor Durbin. The Governor re-
called that General Harrison once said that
although Pennsylvania claimed by priority
the designation of keystone State, the
name belonged with equal right to Indiana
He sai6 that geographically II is worthy of
the distinction since IL is the gateway to
the East and TO the West. He alluded to
the States great natural resources of stone
gas and oil, and to its fame as an agri-
cultural commonwealth. The speaker said
that once the term Hoosier was tinged with
reproach, held rather in derision but now II
Is regarded an honor and a distinction
TO be so designated. 1--WE are proud of the
position Indiana occupies in the galaxy of
commonwealths OF the Union" he declared
"ln national characters her sturdy sons
have been conspicuous in the forum and on
the firing line" After referring to the fact
that Indiana contains within it's borders
the center Of the countrys population Gov
ernor Durbin concluded:
In the realms of letters this State stands
out conspicuous. Next to the Book of
Books, the Holy Bible, the most widely
read story given to the world owes its ex-
istence to the fertile brain and the facile
pen Of our native mrade-Hoosier, Gen.
Lew Wallace. IGreat applausel His fame
as an author has kept pace with fame as a.
soldier
I'm the forefront of American poets
stands another native Hoosier, James
Whitcomb Riley [great applauseI whom
We all know, whom we all love, not alone
for his genius, but for his gracious per-
sonality. He has a way of reaching and
touching the human heart by an art that is
artless and he deftly paints nature on the
pages Of his book.
Altogether, my good friends, Indiana is
indeed a favored State, and as its chief ex-
ecutive bid you most cordial and hearty
welcome"
MAYOR BOOKWALTER HEARD.
The Governors closing remarks were
greeted with spontaneous outburst of ap-
plause. General McGinnis announced that
the society would be welcomed to the city
of Indianapolis by Mayor Bookwalter. Mr.
Bookwalter was given an ovation as he
stepped TO the front of the stage He said
in part:
Comrades Of the Society of the Army of
the Tennessee and Comrades OF my Father
The people of Indianapolis, from whose
midst during the four years of civil war
during the four years when the Army of
the Tennessee and all those other gallant
boys In blue were making glorious the
pages of their country's history by their
heroic services in the cause OF freedom
from whose midst a quarter of a million
Sons OF this Hoosier land marshaIed from
the four corners of the State marched away
In response to their country's CALL bid you
the representatives of that magnificent
fighting machine of which you were part
a welcome which springs from the hearts
OF patriotic and hospitable people"
The speaker continued with a brief mar
rative Of the valor of the young men who
went TO the front in the Spanish-American
war. referring TO the fact that they were
made UP of SOutherners and Northerners
alike ample refutation of any charge
that the South holds resentment towards
the North on account of the civil war. He
concluded with words of eloquence as fol-
lows:
1T was my privilege TO stand upon the
steps of the beautiful monument erected by
the people OF Indiana to the heroes of 61
as the regiments OF Indiana boys in blue
marched away TO the Spanish-American
war. As i gazed upon their grim and de-
termined faces and thought that in other
cities and in other States North and South
thousands Of just such young men were
marching gladly 10 their country's call
were marching a@ay possibly TO die as
thousands OF your comrades had done:
marching away. not for love OF conquest
or from mercenary motives, but through a
high and noble desire TO serve their count
try. then realized as never before that the
spirit OF patriotism which fired the hearts
OF the boys who died at Bull Run: who
marched and fought at Antietam; who
stood in line on that terrible Sunday at
Shiloh; who hurled back the gray hosts OF
rebellion as they swept across the wheat
fields and surged about the rocky crests of
Little Round Top and Cemetery Ridge at
Gettysburg: who stood in the bloody angle
at Spottsyvania; who in the face OF a hell
OF shot and shell clambered up the rocky
face OF Missionary Ridge: who with Hook
er fought above the clouds; who with
Thomas stood like the eternal rocks and