The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-07-08


From our Special Correspondent ~
The Fourth at KnightstOwn-Laying
of the Corner Stone Of the Sol.
diers' Home.
KNIGHTsTOwN, July 4, 1867.
Editors Journal:
One of the most completely sue
cessful anniversary celebrations ever
holden in this State, or elsewhere, was
that of the laying of the corner stone
of the Indiana Soldiers Home, at
Knightstown Springs, Rush County,
to-day. Not less than ten thousand
people were in attendance, mostly
from Henry, Rush, and adjacent coun-
ties. The weather was delightful.
The exercises were conducted by the
Grand Army of the Republic. Gov.
Baker and staff, Hon. Will Cumback,
Generals Kimball, Cruft, Grass, Ter
rell and Mansfield took part in the
ceremonies.
The Grafton of Governor Baker
was listened to with profound atten-
ton, and was warmly approved.
The following is a list OF the arti-
Giles deposited in the stone; it was
read by General Charles Cruft, who
prefaced its reading by a few words of
manly ~eloquence:
j. Declaration of Independence.
2. Articles OF Confederation and
perpetual union between the States.
3. Constitution of the United States.
4. Constitution of Indiana.
5. Washington's Farewell and other
Addresses.
6. History Of the States of the
Union.
Z. Ordinance of1787.
8. Emancipation Proclamation.
g.. Chronological Record of the Re-
beliion.
10 Act of the General Assembly of
Indiana establishing the Soldiers
Home.
IL. Last Inaugural Address of Pres
ident Lincoln.
II. History of the Soldiers Home
from the time of its organization, 10th
of August, 1865, to the 1st of April,
1867, the time Of its transfer from the
Association to the State of Indiana.
13. Constitution and Charter of the
Grand Army of the Republic, Circu-
lars. General and Special Orders of
the Grand Army" from the time of
its organization in Indiana, August
90. 1866.
IA. Message OF Gov. Oliver P. Nor
ton, delivered to the General Assem-
bly, of Indiana, January 18th. 1867.
10. Gov. Bakers Message to the
Legislature, communicating reports
in reference 10 the Indiana Sanitary
Commission and Memorial of the
Board of Trustees of the Indiana
Agricultural College.
16. Adjutant General W. H. H.
Terrells Reports Of Indiana.
II. Report of the Indiana Military
Agencies to the Governor, December,
1864.
Is. Senate and House Reports of
the General Assembly of the Com
mittee on Military Affairs.
10. Report of Adjutant General
Lac. Noble, from Jan. 1st, 1863, to
Nov. 18th, 1864.
When the stone had been lowered
to its place, General Kimball spoke
as follows:
vi tAiS SICdt ANdIIOAdl ud]s we
have assembled to lay this corner
stone, emblematic support of the
Home of our wounded and disabled
comrades.
We dedicate this Home to our
comrades whom battle scars have
made priceless jewels in the tiara of
our national crown. Their history is
co-eternal with the scenes and events
Of many battle fields, where they SO
nobly gave themselves as a sacrifice.
Within this corner stone we record
our remembrance of the many
painful and toilsome marches, and the
patient endurance through the long
night of war; and with our ranks
thinned, though not broken, we
pledge to them, and to each other,
that, come veal or woe, that same
old flag shall protect US, as a nation,
as long as an arm can be ra :sed to
strike. or a voice to plead in its de-
Tense. Let the cannon, with lis bat
tie Clouds, bring to the memory Of
our comrades the day of peril.