The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-26
OLIVER P. MORTON CLUB
ITS SIXTH ANNIVERSARY Is FIT
TINGLY CELEBRATED.
Interesting Addresses by Judge ID. w.
COmstock and Others-The Guests
Entertained.

The Oliver p. Morton Republican Club
celebrated its sixth anniversary last night
in its rooms at Shelby and Cottage streets,
with addresses by Judge d. w. Comstock,
Jesse NJ. Lafolette and others, and pro-
gramme of musical selections and recita-
tions. The women OF the club were very
much in evidence and gracefully assisted In
entertaining the visitors. Refreshments
were served at the conclusion of the pro-
gramme and several candidates for county
Offices spent an hour shaking hands and
dispensing diplomatic phrases.
Judge Comstock's address on "Oliver r
Morton" was, in part as follows:
Your club is fortunate in having the in
spiration of a great name, and while ABOUT
IT, as about most illustrious characters a
score Of years after they have passed
away. the shadows are gathering E 1t Is
his political faith and who recall his great
service to the Republic. He was born In
Wayne county. in the year 1923. The date
of his birth takes back TO the time OF
log cabins and puncheOn floors, TO the
wooden latch with leathern string on the
outside during the day, and pulled In dur
ing the night. He was not born In a log
cabin, as many Of his Indiana contempt
raries were. He first saw the light in a
house more pretentious than its fellows in
the little village Of Salisbury, in what was
then part OF Dearborn county.
From the time when, as a young man,
he entered upon public career which ter
minated only with his life, he lived in the
open. 1t would take too long, however IN
teresting and profitable it might be, to
make even a partial enumeration OF his
services. The story of his fidelity to public
interests, his devotion to the Union, the
courage with which he devoted himself.
careless of personal welfare, TO the para
mount cause of preserving the Republic,
cannot be unfamiliar TO you. Governor
IN do, ffon1 10 rEar G
last words were: L am dying and worn
out From the time he entered upon the
discharge of his duties of his executive
office his work was tireleSS and his capac-
lty for it wonderful. Ii is a matter of his
tory that neither the State nor the the
general government had any military
equipment supplies OF every kind were
lacking. He selected the best men for the
purpose of supplying these wants, and they
brought to their work the energy inspired
by the example of their chief. He met the
emergencies growing out of the war, solved
difficulties political and economic and all
the problems that confronted him. He re-
sponded promptly to the Presidents call
for men, equipped them without means,
maintained the credit Of the State and
kept her in the Union when her integrity
was threatened by serious danger within
her borders.
mo one can know what the destiny of
the Republic would have been had Indiana
failed in her fidelity to the Union. That
her great Governor more than any score of
must be conceded. Great causes, a rule.
do not depend upon a single human being,
but looking back on those trying times
when vast interests hung IN the balance,
we are thankful that he was at the head
of the State, for while with others there
might have been safety, with him that
safety was assured.
SUCCESS OF THE UNION.
Before the war it is proper to say he
was fairly partisan, but when it began
he looked only TO the success of the Union.
His force and clearness of speech, apart
from his prestige as Governor of great
State, gained at once the leading if not the
controlling position in the United States
Senate. Indeed, upon the stump and at
the bar and in legislative halls his style
was most marked by clearness and con-
ciseness of statement. Above all acts that
distinguished his public career will shine
the thoughtful care he took of the sick
and wounded soldiers. There were Gov
errors of other States who. in the great
struggle, displayed ability in the discharge
Of their duties, but not one showed the
anxious solicitude or made such ample
provisions for the comfort of the soldiers
as did he. 1t is a matter of history that
in the East and West, here, there and
everywhere, Indiana troops were found
representatives of Governor Morton were
found inquiring to their necessities and
supplying them with promptitude and an
intelligence worthy of ali praise The
world can never know how many home
sick and suffering boys were inspired by
his care in form no army commisSariat
could supply.
''In trying emergencies he summoned to
his aid for counsel from various parts OF
the State practical men of undoubted pa
triotism and right judgment and while
not yielding his own convictions he was
attentive to the opinions of those in whom
he had confidence. His conduct thus Otter
stood for the best judgment of many good
minds"
Mr.. Lafollette who spoke next. alluded tc
the connection of the women with the club
| saying that in 1896, when the club was or.
ganized. issues were presented that in
volved the safety and comfort of the home
| lit has been tritely said" Mr.. Lafollette
went on that men make the houses, but
women make the home. So when the home
| came into the political battle the womer
were justified in taking a part and allyine
| themselves with the club. For the matter
| of that. women ought to take an interest
| in political affairs. They ought to know
| something about politics When questions
| of the day are intelligently discussed anC
understood in the home there will be nc
question about the votes being rightly
cast" Mr.. Lafollette complimented the
members of the club on their earnest efforts
in behalf of the party, and assured them
| that their club is becoming known far and
| wide one OF the active influences for the
| best kind of Republicanism.
| Claude Thompson amused the member:
| and their guests for half hour with what
| he termed was "A Bunch of Lies" He re-
marked that after several courses in the
| University of Plainfield west of Indiana o.
oils. he felt quite qualified to use the larges
variety of words, and hoped that he would
| make himself understood. In his early
youth, he mournfully said, he had attempt
| ed TO gain fame by initiating Washington
| in the cherry -chopping act, but losinl
| his nerve at the wrong moment. he had lice
! to his father and had since continued or
! that course. Mr.. Thompson was very sue
| ceSsful in doing that which he set out Il
! do-ending the evening by making every
| body laugh heartily.
| Miss Flora Coll. Miss Katherine Beck anC
| Miss Newkirk varied the programme o.
| speeches with piano solos. Gen. Johr
| Coburn presided at the celebration and in
| troduced the speakers.