The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-14
Judge HadIey's Address.

"a few weeks after 1 became entitled TO a
seat in this honorable body L was re-
quested to relate my experience in escap-
ing from a Confederate prison at Columbia,
S. c. In due time, in the course of my
narrative, L reached the climax of my story,
where being in a situation of great distress.
and that seemed critically near the ex-
tremity of human endurance, two noun
tain maidens. young and fair. rescued us.
and graciously and successfully, at great
peril to themselves. gave us protection for
four days and nights in an upper chamber
of their home. Up to this point in the
story my prosaic remarks, delivered and
received under the effects of a generous
dinner had created in my mind a serious
question which was hardest to do, me TO
talk or my auditors to keep awake, but
when 1 introduced the blithe and nimble
Alice, and her sober and sagacious sister
Martha. it was truly refreshing to see the
companions rouse up and give me attention.
Three months later l received an invita-
ton to speak again. and this time specifcal-
ly, and more deliberately concerning these
mountain girls, and being myself fond of
the subject the summons was Obeyed.
Il have never been invited TO address the
commandary upon any other subject, but
q 1OdRAG VI N10ho ooO OoA W. III
gave me notice over the phone that had
been chosen by the proper authority to
speak for the service companions on this
occasion. i was inclined to be excused, for
the conventional reason of overwhelming
business engagements, but stop, STOP said
the recorder, 1t is the ladies' evening and
you cannot be excused
whether all this means that / have been
adopted by the cOmmandary as the special
Exponent of the ladies, or that L am un-
able to speak upon any other subject, is
NOT lmnOrtant now Albeit am here and
on my feet, before this gallant and patriotic
presence, for the third time, to speak con-
corning the women of the war.
1T is probably not quite accurate to say
that the women are denied any share in the
glory of our achievement in arms. but ii is
a matter as regretful as it is unjust, that
when soldiers assemble for mutual congrat-
u%latlons, the tendency should be TO over
look those modest, patriotic nonbelliger-
ants, who were the chief sufferers of the
war, the most Jealous friends of the soldiers
and without whose moral support the vic
tory would not have been won. OF all hu-
man creatures, under the stress of circum-
stances, the woman is least the coward.
Timid and retiring when there is safety and
freedom of action, when confronted by a
great emergency which eXacts severe per-
sonal sacrifice, she is first and foremost
among the daring.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF WAR.
"When it was announced that war had
begun in Charleston harbor and Fort
Sumter had surrendered the country was
greatly moved, but when our army was
ingloriously defeated at Bull Run and the
President had called for 800, 900 more men
the great, loyal, patriotic masses of the
North became wild with excitement and
firmly fixed in the resolve that the Union
should be preserved at any cost. Fight,
tax and emancipate became the general
%watchword. Foremost in the creation of
| FbfC Canff~.anN w-,-1 @ka 1890 MI
could serve, sacrifice and suffer if they
could not bear arms. They formed
choruses and sang patriotic songs at pub
lie meetings in the interests OF the war.
They wore emblematic stars and stripes
for breast pins on the streets and TO the
churches They urged the young men to
go. EXtolled courage, reproached coward
ice. Proclaimed the praises of those who
enlisted. Ridiculed the excuses of those
who hesitated. The cOuntry's uniform was
a leveler of all ranks, a certificate of good
character, a ticket of admission TO any
loyal circle, and without II the young man
was looked upon as a drone and unworthy
the society of ladies. In the county whel c
L resided the able-bodied young man who
refused to enlist was left 10 three alterna-
tives-he might live alone, associate with
the children or hang himself, ana the girls
didn't care which he did. Under these cir
cumStanceS | enlisted. i was We'll suS-
tanned. l had a mother, a sister and a
sweetheart, each full of patriotic ardor
and not one OF them said no. Looking
after the comforts of the families of absent
soldiers, preparing bandages' providing
collecting and shipping hospital delicacies
collecting clothing and bedding for prison
ers and in doing every Imaginable thing
that would in any way encourage or re-
lieve tie wants of the soldiers. was THEN
constant delight and employment. Tn,
moral support thus afforded the army Wa:
incalculable. Ii was better than food anC
drink. IL was TO the boys a rod and a stat
that sustained them In times of great hard
ship and danger. They also found theil
way 10 the hospitals, and with that tender
sympathetic care unknown 10 man nurseC
many a sick and wounded boy back Il
health, who without them would have beer
numbered with the dead. And l recall th'
time when a prisoner in Charleston, s. &.
when the prisoners were stricken with tina
king OF terrors, the yellow fever; wheI
death, suffering. squalor and misery were