e women of the State, Mrs. Sarah T. Bolton taking a
prominent part. On this occasion a beautiful silver pitcher was
presented to him as a token of gratitude for his persevering efforts
in behalf of women. This pitcher still holds a place of honor in our
family dinings on gala days.

In reply to several slurs in regard to this memorial, my father during
the debates in the Convention thus retorted:

Since I have had occasion to allude to the testimonial which it
is proposed to offer me on behalf of the women of my adopted
State, I will say here, that regarding it as the greatest
compliment--if in so grave a connection a word often so lightly
used may be properly employed--the greatest compliment I ever
received in my life, or ever can receive till I die: it matters
little to me what may be said of myself in that connection; I am
accustomed to personal attack, and am proof against ridicule. But
if any man, whether he disgrace a chair on this floor, or
dishonor by his presence some of the bar-rooms of the city, utter
an insinuation, cast a reproach, directly or indirectly, by open
assertion, or covert insinuation, against the motives or the
character of those courageous women who may have met in
Lawrenceburg or elsewhere, to consult regarding rights shamefully
denied to them, or those who may have publicly expressed
gratitude to the defenders of these rights--if such a man there
be, within or without the walls of this capitol, I say here of
such a one, let him receive it as he will, that I would give my
hand more freely to the inmate of the penitentiary than to him.
(Page 1185, "Debates in Indiana Convention").

In 1843 and 1845 my father was elected to Congress, serving until
1847. In 1853 he was appointed Minister to Naples, remaining there
until 1858. During the war his exertions were unremitting. He was the
friend of Governor Morton, and was consulted by that energetic
statesman in all his more important plans. He wrote several letters on
the political crises of the time, which had a wide circulation and
influence. Mr. Lincoln said to several of his friends, that a letter
addressed to him by Mr. Owen, and a conversation consequent thereon,
had done more toward deciding him in favor of the Emancipation
Proclamation, than any other influence which had been brought to bear.
My father also made strenuous efforts during the