The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-30
PORTRAIT OF HUGH M'CULLooH
Received by Fort Wayne Republic
ans, with Interesting Speeches.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
FORT WAYNE, Ind, May 29.-The Nc
Culloch portrait reception last night at the
Wayne clubhouse. given by the Tippe-
canoe Republican Club, was attended by
over 500 persons. and was made notable
by the speeches of Charles McCulloch, son
of the late Hugh McCulloch, whose por-
trait was formally received, and of Robert
S. Taylor, who accepted the portrait in the
name of the club. Hugh McCulloch, the
only man who was thrice appointed secre-
tary of the treasury by as many Presidents,
was for thirty years a resident of this city
and lived here even while serving as the
president of the State Bank of Indiana
with headquarters at indianapolis Charles
McCulloch, his son, donor of the portrait,
read paper of historical interest, describ-
ing his fathers first trip from Madison to
Fort Wayne by way OF South Bend, Elk
hart and Goshen. In this paper he related
that after he had served by appointment
of President Lincoln as controller of the
currency, in which capacity 1t fell 10 his
lot to organize the national banking sys-
tenn Secretary Fessenden resigned, and the
President sent for him to call at the White
House. The President was alone when Mr..
McCullocn was uShered into his presence,
and the President said TO him: "Mr. Nc
Culloch, l have sent for you TO offer you
the place of secretary of the treasury. and
| want you TO accept it," But" said Mr.
McCulloch. 81 do not know that am quail
flied TO fill il or that / would give the coun-
try satisfaction
:Of that" said the President, 1T will
be my place 10 judge, and l will take the
responsibility before the country l guess
we might as we'll consider ii settled. l will
send in your nomination TO the Senate at
once"
Mr.. McCulloch was confirmed as secre-
tary the next day. His son said that there
had been made TO him a proposition to en-
ter banking at New York, and he had at
this time the matter under consideration,
but concluded to sacrifice his personal in
terests 10 accept the responsibilities of the
high office. The reader gave an interesting
bit of political history as 10 how the name
of his father was suggested 10 the Presi-
dent. While controller he had prepared
letter to the presidents of the newly-organ-
lied national banks. laying down the rules
that should govern a bank president in the
conduct of business involving such i'm
mense interests Fernando Wood then a
banker of New York city. though a Demo-
crat. was a warm personal friend of the
President. When he read the letter he was
so struck with its manifest insight into the
whole business OF banking that he said al
once: Il would like TO see that man secre-
tary OF the treasury" He commended Mr.
McCulloch 10 the President for appoint
ment. forwarding the President the letter.
IL was that which impressed upon the Pres
ldent the sterling abilities of Hugh McCul-
loch.
Mr.. Taylor. in accepting the portrait for
the club. related thrilling incident of
Fourth of July speech. 1861. when Hugh
McCulloch was orator OF the day. War
had only just begun and Fort Wayne was
a hOtbed of opposition TO administration
measures. The chorus Of the triple quartet
had just concluded singing. The Lost
Chord" when Mr.. Taylor claimed the at
tention OF the audience for the second time
and with great impressiveness said: THE
song that has just been sung has revived
a memory that comes back to me with a
food OF interest. liz recalls 10 me a speech
made by Hugh McCulloch on the Fourth OF
July in this city in lS6l-a speech such as
only he could make. One sentence burned
its way into my memory and / must tell
YOU of il. After speaking for some time
Hugh McCulloch closed his earnest appeal
for the support of the Union in words
somewhat like these: Traitors NAV rage
and the heather imagine a vain thing but
our government. consecrated in the hearts
Of the people. will prevail over all its en-
emies.'
Other features OF the reception were the
speeches OF William c. Geake. president of