The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-09-29

part to them cheap and more important les.
But L desire to fix your thoughts
more especially on the celebration of the
event that added America to the family OF
nations, and have you fully appreciate our
atti,ude before the worldin all tina. relates
10 that interesting and sacred purpose. 1t is
sometimes said that had not Congress-
avowed the purpose todistinguish the event
Dy proper ceremonies IL might be passed by.
But no sentiment can be more unworthy
the American. The wilful neglect would be
sun more olsgraceful than failure after the
pest eHorts we can make. But there is no
occasion to accept either the one or the other
Oh those hnmiliating alternatives. But
LET US LOOK AT THE cAsR
as 1t now stands. Why Congress has com
mended the celebration to the favor of the
people, it has provided laws under which
tne entire work is to be conducted, and
every man who has accepted any one ofthe
trusts created, is in some measure an AGENT
OF the goverDment-in other words Con
gress has gone so far in this work
that 1t can be carried out ONLY on the
conditlons and in the manner prescribed i'm
the laws OF Congress. Even more, Congress
has authorized the president in the name of
the United States, to extend cordial invi-
tatlon TO all other nations to be represeutei
and 10 take part in the exhibition, and
many OF them have adopted most liberal ar
engagements to enable their subjects TO at
| tend. Under such state of facts how can
the American people for a moment enter
tain the idea of neglect or failure Such a
contamination would render our nation a
reproach and by-word throughout the
world, and no American citizen would there
after dare to attend an international exhibit
ton in any other country, Neglect or tail
ure would change the impressions of all
other nations about the American character
Instead OF being regarded as the most enter
prising people in this world, we should be
looked upon as vain-glorious pretenders.
Suppose that July A, 1776, had been simply
the occasion for the introduction of
an additional monarchy into the
family OF nations under the auspices
George the III; that that Government
had accomplished in the first hundred years
young republic, who can not see that. in
that event all Great Britain would be in a
blaze about the commemoration of the event
But in our case it is
SOMETHING GREATER AND GRANDER.
1t was the Inauguration of the principle
the God-like principle OF self government
as against the ''diTinen right of kings. Oh
how should like to talk to you about the
great men who sent this principle for the
first time in its proper form abroad upon the
face of the earth TO serve as cloud by day,
and pillar of fire by night, to guide the
friends of rights of human government
My friends you must not forget that it was
under the lights of this principle that all
this vast country has been occupied-that it
was under it, that thirteen feeble colonies
in less than one hundred years have become
sovereign States and their population of
5000 600 now exceeds 10000, 900. American
independence and self-government are the
events of modern times, and they must be
commemorated as becomes a great and
prosperous people.
THE UNWILLING.
From the Music Hall the party adjourned
to the hall of the "Grest Republic" The
band played the "Star spangled Banner"
and the curtains were opened, amid much
applause, showing the oft described picture.
Mr.. E. c. futile then read the paper which
contained the advertisement of the picture.
Gov. Pollock followed in a few remarks,
which was to the effect that he
was delighted with the picture.
Mr.. +. c. Johnson, of the State Board. re-
celved letter from Lieut.. Gov. Sexton yes
terday, in which he stated that nc been
'stumping" through the State, and could
not spare yesterday from his business at
Rushville.