Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 October 1885 — Page 5

lAHLY MY LEGISLATORS. Meeting of the Survivors of the Indiana Law-Makers of 1851-52. Speeches of Hons. W. H. English, R. N. nodeon, R. W. Thompson, John Lyle King, W. S. Holman, W. E. Niblack and Others. A business session of tho survivors of the Indiana Legislature of 1851-2 (the first Legislature after the adoption of tho new Constitution of the State) was held at English’s Opera-house yesterday afternoon. William H. English, the member from Scott county in that Legislature, and who succeeded John W. Davis, of Sullivan county, as Speaker, was chosen chairman, and Dr. Andrew J. Hay (who represented Clark county in that Legislature) was chosen secretary. Judge Niblack (who was senator from Knox, Daviess and Martin in 1851-2) moved the chairman select a committee of five on obituary. The Bhairman said he would take time to do so, as the matter was an important one, and would name the committee at the evening session. Dr. Hay called the roll of the Senate of 1851-52 with the following result: Present and answering to their names-William E. Niblack, Knox, Daviess and Martin: Joseph H. Defrees, Elkhart; R. D. Logan, Rush; J. A Cravens, Washington. Believed to be living, but not present—George Berry, Franklin; John Hunt, Hancock and Madison (now living in Arkansas); Ben. Newland, Lawrence; Joha Witherow, Hendricks (nowin California); Frank Emerson, Jackson and Scott; O. P. Davis, Park and Vermillion; Job Hatfield, Perry; James M. Sleeth. Shelby. Total, 12. On a call of the roll of the House the following survivors answered to their names: William H. English, Scott: Isaac D. G. Nelson, Allen; Andrew J. Hay. Clark; William S. Holman, Dearborn; Michael Thompson, Delaware; Phineas M. Kent, Floyd; Samuel Davis, Franklin; Andrew Humphreys, Greene: John Lyle King, JefferBon; Martin D. Crim, Martin; Richard F. Donaldson, Miami; Mahlon D. Manson, Montgomery; George W. MeCounell, Steuben and DeKalb; Robert N. Hudson. Vigo; Calvin Cowgill, Wabash; Joseph M. Bulla, Wayne. Total, 16. Believed to be living, but not present: John Crawford, Adams; Win. B. Beach, (now living at Providence, R. 1.,) Boone; John Scudder, Daviess; Henry W. Barker, Dubois; Jacob Dice, Fountain; Zimri Reynolds, Grant; Samuel T. Wells, Jackson; Robert Huey, Jay; Francis F. Mayfield, Jefferson; Edward P. Hicks, Jennings; Francis Henry, Lagrange; John Laverty, (now thought to be living in Nebraska,) Morgan; Daniel C. Stover, Montgomery; David S. Huffstetter, Orange; Milton Walker, Perry; D. C. Donahue, Putnam; Hiram H. Hart, Ripley; Thomas M. Smith, Spencer; Theophilus Chownine, Sullivan; Gilbert C. Mudgett, Steuben and DeKalb; Godlove O. Behm, Tippecanoe. Total members of House believed to be living, 37. The total number of both houses was then announced by the secretary. Chairman English said he did not believe that, at tho outside, more than forty-five members of the two houses were now afire. He said that Judge Stanfield, of South Bend, who had died since the call, had taken groat interest in the proposed reunion, and .Almost up to the hour of his death was engaged in gathering material for obituaries of deceased members. Dr. Hay offered the following resolution: Resolved, That our thanks are due and are hereby Rendered Hon. Wm. H. English for his valuable services in getting up this interesting and pleasant reunion, and for his liberality in defraying all the expenses of tho same which would have been willingly shared bv us all but for his firm but respectful refusal to allow us to do so. We cordially tender him our thanks, respect and well wishes. The resolution carried unanimously and with much enthusiasm. The meeting then adjourned until 7 p. M. Evening Session. The evening session opened with the singing of "AiThousand Years, My Own Columbia” by the .Central Glee Club, after which the chairman, Hon. Wiliiam H. English, on taking the chair, 3poke as follows: HON. WILLIAM H. ENGLISH'S ADDRESS. Gentlemen of the Reunion: I thank you sincerely for assigning me the duty of presiding over this meeting, and I recognize that the selection is made, mainly, because I am the surviving presiding officer of the first Legislature held under the present Constitution. I perform the duty with mingled feelings of pleasure and of pain, which I find it difficult to express—pleasure in meeting again comrades of the third of a century ago. and pain at the realization of the fact that so many have passed away, and that .ihe others must speedily follow. I have never eo fully realized the shortness of life and tho transitory nature of all worldly honors and responsibilities. as I have since the call for this reunion has developed that so many of my old comrades are dead. “When 1 remember all The friends so link’d together, I’ve seen around me fall Like leaves in wintry weather, I feel 1 ke one Who treads alone Some banquet hall deserted, Whos" fights are fled. Whose garlands dead, Ar.d all but he departed.” Os the little body of great men who formed the first Constitution of Indiana, in 1816, all have iongsince passed away, as have, also, I believe, all the members of the first thirteen General Assemblies of the State. I may be mistaken in this, but if there be a surviving member of any Legislature of this State, held prior to 1831, 1 do not know it, and 1 have made diligent inquiry to ascertain. The General Assembly which met in 1835 was 4he twentieth that had been held up to that date, And the total of members elected would aggregate thousands, and yet to day you could probably .count all who survive on the fingers of one hand. Even including all the Legislatures up to 1840, there are probably not over a dozen surviving of the thousands composing the twenty-five Legislatures which had then been held. Coming five year* further on. to 1845, would probably not increase the number to over twenty five. You would doubtless like to know who these venerable and patriotic survivors are. To state something of the personnel of the first General Assembly held under the present Constitution, and to give some account as to who are the survivors Os the preceding Legislatures will be the object of this address. I have alreadv said that I have not heard of any one being alive who was a member of any Legislature of this State held prior to 183i. There may be. of course, and one of my objects )□ making this address is to call out the facts as they exist. I may be mistaken, but I think that Hon. Alexander C. Stevenson, who represented Putt*m county in the House of Representatives in 3831-2, is the only surviving member of that Legislature, and of ail the Legislatures back to the organization of the State. I next come to the General Assembly of 1832-3. 1 have not been able to find that any member •of that Legislature survives except John C. Barker, then one of the reprosea tatives from the county of Clarke. My father was a member of the Legislature of 1832-3, and also of 1833-4, and I Jbave often heard him talk about the sessions being held in the old courthouse of Marion county, and also about who were then members: but I have been unable to find that any of the Legislature of 1833-4 are ,now alive. Dauie! M. Bradbury was a member of that Legislature from Wayne county, and was taking much interest in this reunion, but, jenfortunateiy, he died since the call was issued, A* did also Senator George B. Walker, of Cass and Representative Thomas S. Stanjfield, of St. Joseph county, Bhowing how rapidly -these pioneers in the legislation of the State are Ipaasing away. I now come to the Legislature of 1834-5. J have no knowledge of but one member of that 'liody being alive, and that iB my distinguished friend, Col. Richard W. Tnompson, whom I am Bure you all delight to honor. Incidentally, 1 will state a fact in connection with this Legislature, which may be of interest, as it illustrates the wonderful progress the country has made jtince that time. It ia that the record shows that

Henry Brady, who recently died near this city, was then (1835) the sole representative of Marion and Hamilton counties, and all the country north to the great Miami reservation. 1 find that my friend Thompson was returned to the next Legislature, which met in December. 1835, and with him came another of my old friends —David Macy—then a representative from Henry county, and now a highly esteemed citizen of Indianapolis: and, as far as I know, another old friend, Christopher C. Graham, now a resident of Red Wing, Minn. It is a little singular that the same three gentlemen, Thompson. Macy and Graham, are sur vivors of the next Legislature —1836-7—to which may be added Joshua B. Huckaby, representative from Perry county, and Dr. GrahamN. Fitch, who subsequently served with distinction in tho Senate of the United States. Macy and Graham again turn up as the sole survivors, as far as I know, of the Legislature of 1837-8. My friend Thompson seems not to have been a member. Whether a political cyclone struck him about that time, or lie went up higher, or got tired of the business, he can tell you more entertainingly than any man ail“e. As to the General Assembly of 1838-9 George W. Carr and C. C. Graham are, as far as I know, the only survivors; so that it would seem that of the twenty-three Legislatures held up to that time, there are probably less than a dozen members now living. I know of but eight at this time: but there may be more, and probably are. These Legislatures were all held before my day, but 1 now come to Legislatures of which I have some personal knowledge. The first Legislature I ever saw was the Indiana Legislature of 1839-40. It was a great event to me, at that time of my humble life, and has made a marked impression on my memory. I rode three days on horseback,from Scott county to Indianapolis, in wi/iter weather, and over the worst possible roads, to see it, and to attend a Democratic State convention, although 1 was not then of age by several years. Incidentally, I may say that the convention nominated Gen. Tigh’lman A. Howard for Governor. He was badly beaten, although a very superior man, so I tasted the bitter of the political defeat of my party early, and had eo much of it in the last twenty-five years that I have learned to take such things quite philosophically. Indianapolis had then a population of only a few thousand, but was putting on city airs even at that early date. I remember there was a riot one night soon after my arrival, growing out of the marriage of a negro man and a white woman, and it made a terrible sensation. My father, who was a member of tho Indiana Legislature at one time or another for nearly twenty years, was a member of that Legisluturo, and I remember that I boarded with him. during my stay of several weeks, at a house kept by Bazil Brown, on the east side of Indiana avenue, near Tennessee street. The house is still standing, but I think every one of the persons stopping there, and there were many, baye long since passed away, and I do not know of but four members of that Legislature now alive. They are Judge Fabius M. Finch, Alexander C. Stevenson, James S. Shively|and Amzi L. Wheeler. As to the Legislature of 1840-1, the only members of it that I know to be alive are A C. Stevenson, George W. Carr. James Ritchey, C. C. Graham and Aaron Rawlings As to the next Legislature, 1841-2, my venerable friend Joseph F. Brown, who I am glad to see here to-night, was principal clerk of the House, and he informs me that he does not know of but seven members of that Legislature now living, viz.: George W. Carr, James Ritchey, A. C. Stevenson, Christopher C. Graham, Aaron Rawlings, James S. Shively and John Pitcher. I was present at the organization of the Legislature of 1842-3, and had acquaintance with many of the members, as I was then, for the first, time, a candidate for a legislative office, and trying to learn the art of “electioneering with the members.” Os those surviving of that delegation I can name only: Aquilla Jones, now postmaster of Indianapolis; Amzi L. Wheeler, George W. Carr, Joshua B. Huckaby, Jamt-3 Ritchey and Franklin Hardin. Iliad a very intimate acquaintance with the members of the Legislature of 1843—4, by reason of being the principal Clerk of the House of Representatives. Judge Wm. T. Otto, long the Reporter of the Supreme Court of the United States, was the Secretary of that Senate, and is still living, but Jesse D. Bright, the President of the Senate, and Andrew L. Robinson, the Speaker of the House, and nearly all of the 150 men who were my associates in that Legislature, busy with the affairs of state, and full of the hopes, and ambitions, and cares of life, have gone to their eternal rest. I called the roll of the 100 members of that House a great many times in that day; but, alas, were I to call it now I do not know but five members left to answer, and but four senators. George W. Carr, George Berry, James Ritchey and John Pitcher are the senators, and the representatives are Augustus C. Handy, W. W. Conner, David Macy, and my old and highlyvalued friend, David McClure, who was from my own county. We rode three days on horseback over the worst roads ever seen by mortal man to reach the capital. He came a greater distance in about t hree hours to attend this meeting. I now come to the Legislature of 1844-5. When that Legislature met, the duty devolved on me, as chief Clerk, of calling the House to order. If I were to call the same roll to-night, I think less than a dozen would be found alive to answer. 1 will call such as I know to be living: A. C. Stevenson. Speaker; Alexander B. Conduit, Franklm Hardin, David McClure. James S. Shiveley. J. B. Huckaby, William W. Conner, Robert Huey, Augustus C. Handy; and of tho Senate, George Berry and James Richey. There may be others, but these are all I know to be alive. I went to Washington City before the close of that session, where I remained several years, and, consequently, had no connection with the Indiana Legislature until I was elected to the first one held under the now Constitution. I pass over the Legislatures which met during my absence in Washington, because of my lack of information about them, and because others are here better prepared to sp*ak of them —such men as William E. Niblack. Delano E. Williamson, Andrew Humphreys. M. L. Bundy, Jos. H. Defrees. I. B. Julian. John W. Dodd, J. A. Cravens, Jonathan S. Harvey, Joseph M. Bulla, Michael Thompson, C. F. Donaldson, A. B. Conduit, George W. Carr and other gentlemen whom I see present, but have not time to name, were members of those Legislatures, and they were all important and able Legislatures. In what 1 have further to say on this occasion, I shall sneak only of the first Legislature held under the present Constitution. It was the understanding in advance that it was going to be a Legislature of unusual importance. The new Constitution bad just been adopted by an immense majority of the electors. Its adoption made a careful revision of the laws necessary, in order that they should conform to its provisions. The work devolved on the Legislature was, in fact, a continuation of the work begun and outlined by the convention. The new Constitution required that the forms and practice in the courts, which had before that time been very intricate and voluminous, should be revised and simplified, the pleading made more uniform, the then prevailing distinction between law and equity' abolished, and that the general statute law of the State should be reduced into a plain and systematic code. “The whole temple of State government, from spire to foundation stoue, bad to be taken down, remodeled and rebuilt so as to conform to the new Constitution and the progress and improvements of the age.” To do all this properly, and much more that was devolved on the first Legislature, required time, and consequently that Legislature was not restricted by the Constitution as to length of session. It was necessarily longer in session than any Legislature ever held in the State, having met on the Ist of December,.lßsl, and adjourned on the 15th of June, 1852. The public wisely recognized the need of doing the work well of these great reforms, and, looking to that end, elected a strong Legislature. Many of the members had served ia the convention which formed tho Constitution aud in previous Legislatures, and, as a whole, was a splendid body of represenative men. A glance over the list will show many names ot high standing and recoguized ability, most of whom were called to high and honorable positions. Great as was the number of members of the Constitutional Convention called to represent the people in the Congress of the United States, more were called from this Legislature, viz.: James H. Lane, John G. Davis, Norman Eddy, Georee G. Dunn, David P. Holloway, James D. Williams, all dead; and William E. Niblack, James A. Cravens, Joseph H. Defrees, Mahlon I). Manson, Andrew Humphreys, Calvin Cowgill. William S. Holman and William H. English, all of whom are present This Legislature is also ahead &b to the num-

THE INDLANAPOLIS JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1885.

her of its members transferred to the Supreme bench, the convention having furnished three and the Legislature five, as follows: W. E. Nibiack. who will next address yon, and Samuel H. Buskirk, James H Hannah, William F. Stewart and Samuel B. Gookins, who are dead. This Legislature also furnished a Governor of the State, Jame3 D. Williams; a Lieuteuantgovernor, Mahlon D. Manson; a clerk of the Supreme Court, William B. Beach; two Secretaries of State, Norman Eddy and James S. Athon; two generals in the Union army, Slack and Manson. and numerous other public officers. And there \vere strong men like Joseph P. Marshall in that Legislature, who were the peers of anybody, although never elected to high office. That it was an amiable body I know, for I presided over it one hundred days without ever having an appeal taken from any of my decisions. The record shows this, and I do not know of any like forbearance in the history of legislative bodies. We are indebted to this Legislature for substituting our present short forms of deeds and other legal papers in place of the cumbersome and intricate long forms which formerly prevailed, and also for the enlargement of the rights of women and a long list of useful reforms, which time alone prevents me from enumerating. Certainly no Legislature ever did more work, or work of a more useful character. I but repeat my own language, used at that time, when I say that “never have I known the members of ar.y assembly to manifest stricter integrity of purpose, more laborious application, more gentlemanly deportment, or a greater desire to promote the interests of the people.” And now, after the lapse of the third of a century, I think it may be recorded a3 the settled judgment of the people of the State, and so go into history, that it was a remarkable legislative body, great in the ability and high character of its members, as well as in the successful discharge of the exceedingly difficult and important duties confided to it. Hon. W. E. Niblack and Hon. Wm. S. Holman each followed, giving a review of the work done by the Legislature of 1851-2, both addresses being excellent, and both from a lawyor’s standpoint. HON. R. N. HUDSON’S ADDRESS. The next speaker was the Hon. R. N. Hudson, who made a scholarly address, and one containing ci’itical estimates of a number of his distinguished colleagues. Os Robert Dale Owen he spoke as follows: “How earnest, how persistent and how determined he was in the prosecution of any measure he advocated. He was a giant in debate—a prince in his treatment of an adversary—a gentleman all the time. With what logical clearness he presented the arguments in favor of his subject in hand, How he marshaled the facts he intended to use in advocacy of his position, and with what irresistible force he reached his conclusions. I have never known, during all my life, a more earnest, honest or conscientious legislator than the gentleman from Posey. This State owes much to Robert Dale Owen and the men who voted with him. in the adoption of his important bill changing the laws of decent. A more important and necessary measure never passed any Legislature in this State. With one bold disregard for precedents and laws not based on justice, it declares the commou sense rights which should govern the descent of dead men's property, and does absolute justice to the survivors. Keeping pace with the advancing intelligence of the time, it does justice to the widow and children. “In tho advocacy of this bill Mr. Owen led in the debate. lie was always equal to the occasion; always threw additional light on the particular proposition under discussion; always masterly in the presentation of his points, aud always willing that every member of the House should have ample time to present their objec tions to the bill. I regard the debate on this measure as perhaps the ablest which occurred in the House during the entire session. It was many days under discussion, and when it finally passed, I shall never forget the childish joy of Mr. Owen.” Continuing, he said: “One circumstance connected with the action of the Senate during the session of 1851-2 impressed intelf on my memory with peculiar intensity. It was the debate which occurred in that body on the resolution inviting the great Hungarian patriot, Kossuth, to visit the State. It was known that a difference of views existed among the members on the propriety of the passage of those resolutions, and when tho day arrived for their consideration the members of the House almost entirely left their seats and repaired to the Senate chamber. Thero were giants in the Senate at that time, and it was understood the giants had been preparing for battle. The question was, shall the Legislature of the State invite Kossuth and his suite to become the enesta of the State. There were many circumstances surrounding the visit of the great Hungarian to this country, at that time, upon which there might seriously be a difference of opinion, and concerning which there could be made a display of much historical and political learning. Hence, the debate attracted a very widespread interest, and the Senate Chamber was crowded to overflowing to witness it Joseph G. Marshall opened the debate. Who that has ever seen Joseph G. Marshall can forget him? Standing over six feet high, broad-shoul-dered and erect, with a face all aglow with his subject and hi3 eyes sparkling with the fires of genius, he looked every inch a man. When he arose the stillness of death pervaded the Senate chamber. Every member and every spectator leaned forward to catch every word as it dropped from his lips. Ho commenced slow, and seemed to measure every sentence. He laid down his leading proposition with the exact measurement of a skilled logician. Not, one word was wanting and not one sentence too many. No skillful builder ever laid a more secure foundation. There was no flaw or blemish iu it, and when he warmed with his subject his voice became sonorous and full, liis whole person alive with graceful action, and his arguments fell like demolishing thunderbolts all around him. His exordium, marshaling of facts and conclusions, were masterly. He spoke for about one hour, and when he concluded a slight applause ran through the audience, and all eyes were turned to every part of the Senate chamber to see who would dare take the floor ia reply. No one seemed willing to take the other side, and it began to look as though tho resolutions would be voted on without any further debate. Had the question been put to the Senate then, lam of the opinion that Kossuth would never have been invited to visit Indiana. In a seat adjoining and to the right of Mr. Marshall sat the brilliant and impulsive George G. Dunn. It was not generally known on which side of the resolutions he would speak. After waiting, aud no other senator appearing desirous to take the floor, the Senator from Lawrence was reeognized by the Chair. Although it seemed that Mr. Marshall had left nothing unsaid which ought to have been said against the resolutions, still Mr. Dunn dashed into the subject with all the ardor and passion of one trained in public debate. He soon secured the most enrapt attention of his hearers. He supplied every possible argument which had not been exhausted by his colleague, and threw a brilliant ray of light upon every historical fact to which he referred. He was eloquent, logical, masterly. Like an armed gladiator, covered all over with the shield and buckler of great thoughts and varied learning, he hurled his invectives and conclusions against all ad versaries, asking no quarter and giving none. He was a born debater, and knew just howto handle his facts to make them the most effective. He opposed the invitation to Kossuth because! he was a revolutionist —and he was against revolution. Personally he was willing to extend to him an invitation to visit the State, but it was quite another thing to invite him in the capacity of a senator. His eloquence took a wide range, and he reveiwed all the features of the Hungarian struggle, aud denounced in the most incisive manner the effort to overthrow established institutions. He concluded in one impassioned outburst of vituperative denunciation, which almost brought the Senate to its feet, aud vrhich was received by the vast audience assembled with rounds of applause. At this point it seemed impossible to check the influence of these two powerful speeches, and the friends of the measure had almost despaired of hope. It wa3 the general whispered impression that there was .no senator aMe to answer the distinguished senators from Jefferson and Lawrence. Each senator looked over the Senate chamber, hoping to see someone arise in his seat and undertake a reply. For several minutes silence profound and oppressive reigned throughout the hall. No one Beemed willing to take the responsibility of entering the intellectual contest. Every senator appeared to be fixed to his seat and not disposed to arise in it. Presently, away over in one corner of the Senate chamber, in a seat more retired than perhaps any other in the hall, a medium-sized man,

with a smoothly-shaved face and hair sparsely sprinkled with prey, arose and addressed the Chair. The difference between the appearance of the speaker and those who had preceded him was very marked. He seemed to shrink from the contest. He acted as though he distrusted his ability to successfully sustain himself. He appeared diffident and nervous. He blushed to redness and tremblingly faltered as be said. ‘Mr. President.’ The response came back from the chair, sharp, quick and in earnest, ‘The Senator from Putnam.’ “All eyes were now centered on Henry Secrest. His opening sentences were disconnected, feeble in utterance, and gave no evidence of hi3 being able to meet the powerful arguments of his op ponents. His very diffidence, however, gained him the sympathy of his hearers. The people wanted the resolutions to pass. Their sympathies were in favor of the gallant Hungarians in their heroic efforts to throw off the despotic rule of the House of Hapsburg. Secrest had the masses with him, and that gave him courage. He turned to the galleries, and they applauded. Still he labored, and faltered as tiiouga he could not overcome the doubt of his ability to safely carry him through. He knew that not only the senators, but the people of the State expected much from him. Occasionally he would finish a well-rounded period, and invariably applause came back from every part of the hall. Taking courage from this, he steadily became more and more eloquent until, at last, fully warmed to the subject, he burst forth with such a torrent of historical facts and such a masterly presentation of them, that he carried everything before him. He seemed to have recollected every important fact, historical and political, which had been used by his adversaries, ami hurled them with the force of a giant and the keenness of a two-edged sword, turning them to his own advantage, and crushing out all opposition to the resolutions. “No man ever lived in the State who had a clearer head, or could present his side of the case with more clearness than Henry Secrest. His language, though always plain, was the purest Saxon. He had no imagination, and but rarely indulged in oratory: but what he knew, he knew weii. What he saw, he saw with great clearness, and marched step by stop to the conclusion, with irresistible and logical precision—like a mountain-torrent, starting among weeds and brambles, and finding its way around rocks and hills, it soon rushes over every impediment, and, defying all opposition, flows through the valley a clear and irresistible stream. “Mr. Secrest, on this occasion, spoke not to exceed thirty minutes, and when he took his seat immense and continued applause burst from all sides of the Senato chamber. The triumph was complete. He had met the two most intellectual men in the Senate, and defeated them. His friends and the friends of the resolutions rushed around him, aud were profuse in their congratulations. It is needless to say the resolutions passed by a large majority.” HON. JOHN LYLK KING. Introducing the speaker, Mr. English said: “The next gentleman to address yon represented Jefferson county j a the Indiana Legisla ture of 1851-2. The only reason why he was not subsequently elected to Congress, or some high Indiana office, is, no doubt, because he removed from the State soon after that time. I now in troduce Hon. John Lyle King, of the city of Chicago.” Mr. King read extracts from a diary kept by him while a member of the Legislature. His reading, accompanied by explanatory remarks, was brimful of humor, and was keenly appreciated by his colleagues, to whom the by-play of a third of a century ago was presented in glow ing colors, and also to the audience, most of whom were elderly persons acquainted with the history of that period. HON. RICHAKD W. THOMPSON. Introducing the next speaker, Mr. English said: “A few remarks will now be made by a gentleman who was a member of the Indiana Legislature of 18L4—5, and is believed to be the only member of that Legislature living. He is too well and favorably known to require any further introduction. 1 now introduce Col. Richard W. Thompson.” The “old roan eloquent" was received with a convincing expression of hearty approbation. His speech was short, but given in the clear and ricking voice for which he i3 remarkable because of his years. He said it was not designed that he should prepare anything for this occasion, for the reason that he did not belong to the flge of the gentlemen who had been speaking; that he had retired from legislative life before they began. He did not like to make that concession either. He believed a great deal in the power of the human will, aud thought it had a great deal to do with - our mental and physical infirmities. Having the impression that the will exercises a great control over the durability of life, he had made up his mind some time ago that he would live until the beginning of the next century. He said he had even tried to conceal from himself the fact that he was an old man. and had he not been placed in the position in which he had been by the chairman (Mr. English) he might not have had to make the concession. Continuing, he said he was born just twenty years after tho formation of the national Constitution. The chairman fancied that ho was an old man when narrating that he had seen all but the first five presidents of the United States. “I must," said the Colonel, “be a very old man, for I have seen ail but two of tho Presidents, Washington .and the elder Adams, and have known all of them personally from John Quincy Adams down, except the present President, whom I have seen and to whom I have paid my respects. Perhaps this makes me too old to speak of the things you are talking about tonight. I had retired from political life before you began to make this new Constitution. 1 had begun to think the old Constitution good enough. But the hearts ot the men who framed this Constitution were in the right place, and their heads were sound." The Colonel said he came to this State in 1821, and graphically described the log cabin days and the stern virtues of the fathers in the then sparsely settled State, concluding his speech amid much applause. Mr. English announced that there would be an informal meeting to-day of such members a3 might remain in the city, for the purpose of considering the matter of publication of biographical sketches, etc., in some permanent form. He said the meeting, as far as the public is concerned, would now close. In the act of adjourning the House of Representatives of the first Legislature under the present Constitution, his last and parting words to the members, from the Speaker’s chair, were these: “Let us separate as a band of brothers, each one prepared to say of the other through t he rest of life: He is my friend; we served together in the first Legislature under the new Constitution.” These words ere as appropriate to night as they were the third of a century ago, and so now, with the consciousness that we shall not all ever meetagain on this earth, I repeat, not only to the members present of the Legislature of 1851-2, but to all the members of this reunion; Let us separate as a band of brothers, each one prepared to say of the other through life, he is my friend—we served together in the councils of the State many long years ago, and renewed our friendship in the great legislative reunion of 1885. I now perform the last melancholy duty of declaring this reunion adjourned. The name of Hon. Robert Work, who was a member from DeKalb county in the Constitutional Convention, was unintentionally omitted from the list yesterday. He is present, taking part in the reunion. How a Senator Cut His Hand. Washington Letter in Cleveland Leader. An ex senator and friend were riding with me in the Fourteenth-street car last night whon we passed the big brown-stone house of Gen. Bob Schenck which faces the statue of Genera! Thomas, when the senator, opening his hand, shewed a great scar runniug from the base of the forefinger clear across the palm. “Do you see that scar?” said he. “Well, I got that scar in Bob Schenck's house, over there.” Th*| our look of surprise, he continued. “You needn’t be so astonished. There was no quarrel, though Schenck is a brave fellow and would fight at the drop of a b&t I was calling at the house one night, and was talking with 31rs. Schenck, when she Bhowed me a very fine Damascus dagger. After I had admired it she laid it down on the table by my side. Shortly after this she went out to call 3lr. Schenck. While she was out of the room 1 picked upjth© dagger and began to pull it out* When I had it nearly out of the sheath

I thought I heard someone coming, and hurriedly pushed it back in again. In doing so I cut my hand to the bone, and the blood rushed forth in a stream. I mopped it np with two handkerchiefs which I had in ray pocket, and when General Schenck entered it was still bleeding. I got him to tie up my hand. Since that time I have kept my bands out of other people's furniture while I have been calling.” Speaking of Schenck reminds me of a funny story I heard the other day about the remark of an old whitehaired lady of Dayton when she heard of his appointment as minister. The old lady said: “Well, it does beat all. The idea of that wicked little white-haired rascal becoming converted and turning minister! The grace of our Lord is mighty powerful, sure.” OLD SOLON SHINGLE. John E. Owens Suffering; from Cancer of tho Liver—Wandering in Delirium. Washington Special. A dispatch from Towsontown, 3fd , says: “The condition of John E. Owens, the comedian, who is at his home. Aigburth Yale, near this place, is very critical. lie is suffering from cancer of the liver, and owing to the great suffering aud pain, has frequently been delirious. On Thursday last, Mr. Owens escaped from his room, and walked over his farm, through tho wet grass, in his dressing gown and slippera On Saturday afternoon he again escaped from home and requesting a gentlemen whom he met in one of the streets here to procure him a chair. This was done, and 31 r. Owens sat down and remained until several of the men employed on the farm found him. He was placed in his private carriage, but insisted upon going to Baltimore. The carriage was driven to a place on Baltimore street, where Mr. Owens became very boisterous. It was nec* ssary for several officers to forcibly place him in the carriage. He was taken back home, where he now. is. No one but very intimate friends aro permitted to see 3lr. Owens. Occasionally he recognizes some members of the household, but only for a short time, when his mind wanders and he becomes very boisterous and wild. How McPherson Might Have Been Saved. | New York Tribune. “I have never got over thinking that I might have saved McPherson’s life in front of Atlanta,” said Major J. J. Safely, of Indiana, the other day. “1 was in command of the provost guard. I saw h'im as he started off toward the front. He was not twenty feet from me. I knew he was going toward danger, for I had just come trom the front myself. Mv impulse was to call after and warn him, but my cautiop was too great and I let him ride on. He went right by one of my guards. Ho ought to have known from the position of the guard that he was going the wrong way. It was one of ray men who etced GV£t his body, saved it from capture unu brought it iuto the ’ crleu iuie a baby whon I heard he was dead.” Advice to Mothers. Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup should always be used when children are cutting teetn. It relieves the little suffei*er at once; it produces natural, quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes as “bright as a button.” It is very pleasant to taste. It soothes the child, softens the eutns, allays all pain, re lieves wind, regulates t.he bowels, and is the best known remedy for diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Twenty-five cents a bottle. Wheezing whispers. Almost everybody is hoarse. There is something in the ail that pro_ vokes coughs and colds and reduces the voice to a husky whisper. Fortunately Hale’s 'loney of Horehound and Tar can be obtained of any druggist, and no hoarseness or cough, however obstinate, can resist its curative operation. Pike’s Toothache Drops cure in one minute. SKIN i BLOOD Diseases from Pimples to Scrofula Cured by Cuticura. HUNDREDS of letters in our possession, copies of which n-.ay be had by return mail, repeat this story: I have been a terrible sufferer for years from Diseases of the ISkin and Blood, have been obliged to shun public pl?ees by reason of my disfiguring humors: have had the best physicians; nave spent hundreds of dollars, and got no relief until I used the Cuticura Remedies which have cured me, and left my skiu and blood as pure as a child's. COVERED WITH SALT RHEUM. Cuticura Remedies are the greatest medicines on earth. Had the worst case of Salt Rheum in this country. My mother had it twenty years, and in fact died from it. I believe Cuticura would have saved her life. My arras, breast and head were covered for three years, which nothing relieved or cured until I used the Cuticura Resolvent, internally, and Cuticura and Cuticura Soap, externally. J. YV. ADAMS. Newark, O. HEAD, FACE AND BODY RAW. I commenced to use your Cuticura Remedies last July. My head and face and soma parts of my body were almost raw. My head was covered with scab3 and sores, and my suffering was fearful. I had tried everything I had heard or in the East and West. My case was considered a very bad one. I have now not a particle of Skin Humor about me. and mv case is considered wonderful. MRS. S. E. WHIPPLE. Decatur, Mich. ECZEMA FROM HEAD TO FEET. Charles Eayre Hiukle, Jersey City Heights, N. J., writes: ‘My son, a lad of twelve years, was complete! cured of a terrible ease of Eczema by the Cuticura Remed’es. From the top of his head to the soles of Ills feet was ono mass of scabs." Every other reyiedy and physicians had been tried in vain. Cuticura Remedies are sold everywhere. Price: Cuticura, 50c; Resolvent. $1: Soap. 25c. Prepared by the POTTER DRUG AND CHEMICAL CO., Boston, 31ass. Send for "How to Cure Skin Diseases." P RTTPQ Pimples, Skin Blemishes and Baby vjT U DOj liumors Cured by Cuticura Soap. St CUTICURA ANTI-PAIN PLASTER is anew. original, elegant and infallible antidote to Pain and inflammation, banishing Rheumatic. Neuralgic, _ Sciatic. Sudden, Sharp and Nervous Pains as by magic. At druggists. 25c. imfspiiiG ■■'“’"and Invalid HOME CURE circular.

mum 11 ia if i 111 |3 1 Is | a n* In ga For Young Ladies and Gentlemen, fLJ? {/ f? >4 §Lk g®2 mv? 5- $ Pj PJf si— IL— fU§ §L. ' University Preparatory and Bus- 1 ■^sgiFwaMi'-SSET.a.^sjr-iS r n-.. : Incus for males. Graduating Course Terr Ladies. Private instruction forbackward pupile. Specialadvantages in ait. Division so made of Scholars that there arc no larj?c elaes.-s. Pleasantly located on the west bank of the Hudson, one hour from New m York. Send for new announcement. Next year opens bepu 9. W. U. KANKISTIfII, A. M., J'IUKCU-au LINOLEUM 65c, 75c, 95c. CARPETS/WALL PAPER OIL CLOTH, RUGS AND BINDINGS. WHOLESALE —OiI Cloths, Window Shades. GALL

Out of Sorts. Persons of a dyspeptic tendency are often “out at sorts," cross and peevish. The failnre of the digestive organs to do their duty, the severe headache distress in the stomach, heartburn, or other indications of dyspepsia, cause irritability, confusion of mind, and a miserable feeling it is impossible to describe. Hood’* Sarsaparilla tones up the digestion and rouses the kidneys and liver to prompt and regular action. “I have used Hood's Sarsaparilla for sick headachs and indigestion, and it has relieved me of days and weeks of sickness and pain.” Maby 0. SMITH, Cant* bridgeport, Mass. “For the past two years I have been afflicted with severe headache and dyspepsia. I was induced to try Hood’s Sarsaparilla, and having found great relief, f cheerfullv cecommend it to all similarly afflicted.” Mbs. E. F. An’XABLK, New Haven, Conn. Hood’s Sarsaparilla Sold by all druggists, $1; six for $5. Made only by C. I. HOOD & CO., Apothecaries, Lowell, Mass. 100 Doses One Dollar. BomnnBBKSBBHiBHaMnHnBBnmai MfcgDQPEßAiiPflk TWO MORE PERFORMANCES! America’s Representative Comedian, JOHN T. RAYMOND! Supported by a Great Company. Matinee this Afternoon—The Political .Satire, “FOR CONGRESS.” Concluding performance to-night.—Mark Twain’* Celebrated Play. “COL. SELLERS.” Reserved Seats—Sofa chairs and boxes, $1.00; parquetle, 75c; parquette circle 50c. Next Attraction-O.W. COULDOCK in “WILLOW COPSE." Thursday, Satairiay, ) MATINEE SATURDAY. Engagement of New York's Favorite Comedian (laJ* of Harrigan & Hart) auu Comedienne. MR AND MRS TOM HAST In a New Fe-'-ical Comedy written specially for Mr. an s. Hart by Wm. Gill, entitled “23 TTON S!” With Nev ngs and Novel Mechanical Effects. People’s a opular Prices—lsc, 25c, 50c and 750. Oct. 12, 13, 14—" THE DIAMOND BROKER." f PREVENT PNEUMONIA By wearing SMITH’S PATENT PERFORATED BUCKSKIN UNDERGARMENTS. They afford. to persons susceptible to cold, the best protection against Pneumonia, Rheumatism and all Lung Diseases. Recommended to Ladies and Gentlemen by all Physicians. Send for circular. % SD. C. HALL & CO., P Sole Manufacturers. 86 LEONARD ST., NEW YORK Richardson’s Now Method FOR THE PIANOFORTE. The success of this celebrated instruction book ha* been phenomenal. After move than a quarter of a century of trial, amid a multitude of competitors, RICIIAIRDSOTST Continues to bring, yearly, great credit to its publishers, and to the widow of the compiler a large and comfortable income. More than half a million pupils have learned from its pages. It is published with American and also with foreign fingering. Richardson’s New Method for the Pianoforte is the most correct of instructors, having been very carefully revised and every error eliminated. Valuable additions have, from time to time, baea made. Teachers accustomed to use RICHARDSON need no urging to continue to do so. Young teachers i* search of a reliable Instruction Book ore perfectly safe in adopting this. !3F“Price $3. for which price it will bo mailed, posh free, to any address. OLIVER DITSON & CO., Boston. Send to JOHN C. HAYNES & CO., Boston (branch house of O. Ditson & Cos.) for grand illustrated Catalogue of all Musical Instruments, Strings and Trimmings. GRAND l-lOTBIL, INDIANAPOLIS. IND. Passenger elevator and al 1 modem conveniences. Leading Hofei of the city, and strictly first-class. Rates. #2.50, $3 and 53.50 per day, the latter price including bath. GEO. F. PFINGST, Proprietor. NEW OCCIDENTAL HOTEL E. A. COOK. Proprietor. Cor. Illinois and Washington Streets, INDIANAPOLIS, IND. |yRATES, $2 PER DAY. ii ii ■ mini !■!■! i iniiimwi——■—i—■! DP A T? and roo ITS CAUSES AND CURE, BYONB '. nr ’" uo who was deaf twenfcy-eignt years. Treated by most of the noted specialists of the day with no benefit. Cured himself in three months, and since then hundreds of others by same process. A plain, simple and successful homo treatment. Address, T. 8. PAGE, 128 East 26th at., New York city.

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