Now, I am sure, in view of the labors of yesterday and to-day, that you will allow me to wish you prosperous, happy, useful lives, honorable and peaceful deaths, and that those who survive you may point to this shaft, which is being reared yonder, as a worthy tribute of your services in defence of your country. [Cheers.]
[INDIANAPOLIS, AUGUST 23, 1889.]
Reunion of the Seventieth Indiana.
The day following the ceremonies at the Soldiers' Monument President Harrison attended the fifteenth annual reunion of his old regiment, the Seventieth Indiana, at Tomlinson Hall. Many survivors of the One Hundred and Second and One Hundred and Fifth Indiana, the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois, and the Seventy-ninth Ohio regiments were present. These regiments, with the Seventieth, constituted the First Brigade—General Harrison's command. The gathering, therefore, was alternately a regimental and brigade reunion.
Col. Samuel Merrill, who delivered the annual address, escorted the President, and amid enthusiastic cheering installed him as presiding officer of the assembly. Other prominent members of the Seventieth present were Gen. Thomas J. Morgan, Capt. Wm. M. Meredith, Daniel M. Ransdell, Moses G. McLain, Capt. H. M. Endsley, Capt. Wm. Mitchell, and Capt. Chas. H. Cox. General Harrison was unanimously re-elected President of the regimental association; he was also chosen first President of the brigade association. The other brigade officers were Vice-President, Gen. Daniel Dustin; Second Vice-President, Gen. A. W. Doane; Secretary, J. M. Ayers; Treasurer, E. H. Conger.
In the absence of Mayor Denny, City Attorney W. L. Taylor cordially welcomed the veterans to Indianapolis. To this greeting the presiding officer, President Harrison, responded:
Mr. Taylor—The survivors of the Seventieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, now assembled in annual reunion, have heard, with great gratification, the cordial words of welcome which you have addressed to us. We have never doubted the hospitality of the citizens of this great city, and have several times held our reunions here; and if we have more frequently sought some of the quieter towns in this Congressional district—where the regiment was organized—it has only been because we could be a little more to ourselves than was possible in this city. You will not think this a selfish instinct when I tell you that, as the years go on, these reunions of our regiment become more and more a family affair; and as in the gathering of the scattered members of a family in the family reunion, so we have loved, when we get together as comrades, to be somewhat apart, that we might enjoy each other. It has been pleasant, I am sure, however, to link this annual reunion with the great event of yesterday. It did us good to meet with our comrades of the whole State—those who had other numbers on their uniforms, but carried the same flag under which we marched—in these exercises connected with the dedication of a monument that knows no regimental distinction. [Applause.]
If those having charge now will announce some proper arrangement by which I can take by the hand the members, not only of the Seventieth Indiana, but any comrades of the First Brigade, who have done us honor by meeting with us to-day, I would be glad to conform to their wishes. It is perhaps possible that, without leaving the hall, simply by an exchange of seats, this may be accomplished, and when that is done there may yet be time before dinner to proceed with some other of the exercises upon the programme.