The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-07-04
A Great Citizen

If men must pass, in the fullness Of years,
there was something peculiarly fitting that
the soul of Lucius Swift should 60 to It's re-
ward, as he listened to the noise Of celebra-
ton of the anniversary of freedom and lib
erty.
For no one in this city and few in the ma
ton had given greater service to the cause OF
liberty and freedom and none had shown
greater devotion and loyalty to the principles
which had their birth in the Declaration Of In
dependence
His love Of country was shown when, as
boy Of is, he disguised his age that he might
fight for the flag he loved, When other boys
were in school. he was a prisoner of war That
circumstance did not prevent him from becom-
ing an educator and a teacher
His was the character that triumphs over
obstacles and that conquers the insurmount-
able
His patriotism and love Of country was the
compass which directed every activity OF life.
1t was patriotism born Of a belief IN human
liberty and in human rights. 1t was pa
triotism which was founded on devotion to the
fundamental principle of the nation.
In the half century Of residence in Indian
apolis no one ever questioned or was in doubt
as to where Lucius B. Swift would stand on
any public question.
The answer was written in advance by his
keen insight and still keener conscience. The
people of this city knew that he would stand
where right unfurled her banner and where
liberty beckoned to her loyal sons
When the nation was at war he threw him.
self unstintingly into every activity that could
aid in victory-or could reduce the heart
break and the sorrow that he knew to be in
evitably bound with the prosecution of a war.
Even as he gave of material resources and his
strength to the vigorous efforts of the govern
ment, he still remembered the orphan and the
widow
When the nation was at peace, his mind
was ever occupied in preserving the spirit as
we'll as the forms of liberty. He hated the
secret enemies of freedom, the corruptionists,
the spoilers, the privilege seekers as he had
hated the uniformed foes of his land.
That love of real liberty sent him into the
ranks of those who obtained and established
the civil service system in the nation. 1t made
him effective and incessant in his efforts to
save the nation for which he had fought as a
boy from the decay that he knew could come
from corruption if the people lost their visions
of liberty in prosperity and materialism.
AS a trustee of the gas company, he stood
adamant against any suggestion that there
might be legal reason for refusing to carry
ont the contract with the citizens. He had faith
in his fellow men He had faith in their inteli-
gence and their honesty. He had faith in their
ability not only to rule themselves but to con-
duct their own business.
Without disparagement to any of the men
with whom he served, it is not too much to say
that the keen mind and keen conscience of
Lucius Swift did much to direct the policy of
that public venture.
AS an author Lucius Swift made his contri-
button to the permanent thought on civil sery-
ice and on the real meanings of liberty. AS a
citizen he gave daily evidence of his love Of
liberty real liberty and not sham freedom.
Well might the flags that today decorate
the city be dipped in sorrow to this patriarch
of patriots, the man who fought, the man who
thought, ever and always for freedom and for
right of men to rule themselves
Great of mind, greater of heart, greatest of
soul, his monument will be the forces and in
fuences which he inspired and which will live
through ages still TO come.