The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-10-21

recollection OF the patriotic services yon reu-
dered TO the cause for which they battied In
the war for the preservation Of the Union,
They are not unmindful OF the tireless zeal
and energy with which you cared for the
soldiers when in the field. They cherish.
also, with feelings OF the liveliest gratitude,
a recollection ofthe unselfish devotion OF the
people OF the state TO the cause IN which
they were engaged, displayeq In such efforts
as encouraged and supported the soldier
when confronting the enemy, and in a ten
der regard for his comfort and welfare, and
In watchiul care over bis family at home.
In the midst of battle they were consoled
with the reflection that If personal disaster
overlook them, a grateful and patriotic peo-
pie would never neglect those whom they
loved. While we would not be boastful of
our services in the war, regarding such ser
vices as the simple discharge OF duty We
OWED our country, we trust, nevertheless,
that we may refer with honest pride to the
conduct ofthe soldiers of Indiana since the
close OF the struggle. If they bore them
selves in the feId in a manner to reflect
honor on their state aud country, they hope
and believe that SINGS they laid aside their
arms they have not failed in their duties as
good citizens. The war ended, the soldiers
OF Indiana, In common with their fellows of
other states, dropped their military char
aoter and put away their military
habits with their uniforms, and
went back to the avocatious of
civil life without tamult and without regret.
The members of the great army of soldiers
at once took their places in that great indus
trial army whose energies minister to the
happiness and prosperity of the nation.
With that easy aptitude characteristic OF our
people, they exchanged their military habits
for the quiet pursuits of peace, and returned
to their places in the Professions in the
counting-hou the work shops, and on the
farms. giving O new impulse to the produc-
tive interests of the country. Their expert
ence in the army gave added strength and
solidity to their character citizsns.
OUR oITIzEN-soLDIBRY.
They will be pardoned If thsy take pride
in the reflection that, citizsa-soldiers
with the support and ENCOURAGEMENT of the
patriotic people at home, they performed an
honorable part in saving from threatened
destruction the Union secured by the wis
dom and heroic sacrifices OF the patriots of
our first revolution; that Union around
which all our hopes of national greatness
and individual happiness cluster and the
| overthrow of which would have brought in
its train unnumbered woes. But we are
conscious of an equal pride that the sur
vivors of our armies are now performing
| with equal credit the no less honor
able duties OF civil life. If, as
some insist, there bs influences at
work which seem to threaten the stability of
government, and even the safety of society
itself, it can not be justly charged that the
soldiers, who gave their best days to the
overthrow of the great conspiracy. have
given.to such movements either counsel or
support. They voluntarily encountered
the perils of war, not as mercenarY hire
lings, but from motives of patriotism.
While war is sometimes necessary in de-
Tense of society and good government, they
yet believe that the highest and most glori-
GUS triumphs are won in the quiet pursuit of
peace. As they rissed their lives in defense
of the government, they are profoundly in
terested in the honor and good faith of the
nation. They view with utter scorn any
purpose to repudste the national obliga-
tons. They favor the payment of all debts,
both national and individual, to the utter
most fartbiDg, holding that no honest debt
can Re discharged by the payment of only
part of it. If others would do their duty as
thoroughly as the soldiers since the close OF
the war have done theirs. there would be less
in the signs of the times to excite spprehen-
sion and alarm, for as class they are indus
trious, orderly and contentsd. 1t is those
who remained at safe distance in the rear
and prohted by the calamities OF the war
who have become restless. indOlent and
wasteful. The different forms of gambling
which have done so much to demorsliZe and
degrade society, and which seek to hide
their real character under the more respect
; able names Of speculation and trade, are
chiefly conducted by those who, secure
against the perils of battle, fattened on the
mistortunes OF bleeding country,
The soldiers OF Indiana cherish no feelings of
hatred against their late enemies. On the
: contrary, they entertain toward them senti-
ments of sincere regard. They recognized
them as brave and gallant foes. While they
believe they were mistaken and misguided
in their purposes, they are willing to coDcede
that they were sincere and honest in their
views. They do themselves no discredit in
acknowledging that in all soldierly qualities
they were their peers. The soldiers earn
estly desire that all uniriendly feelings en-
gendered by the unhappy conflict shall be
forever forgotten; and they will rejoice to
} see the people OF the South again blest with
prosperity and happiness. But while COW
; ering the past with oblivion, they must be al
lowed to insist that they Will not con sent to
be robbed of the fruits OF their victorious
struggle. While thev ara in favor OF stead
lastly maintaining the just rights of the
states, they never will tolerate the perniciOus
doctrine OF states rights, as defined by Mr..
Calhoun. IL was an attempt TO reduce his
theories to practice that brought on the re-
bellion and the war which crushed II. The
results of that war must be accepted as q
final Reputation by the nation of the
wicked heresy that the Union Is SIM
pie compact between sovereign states;
and rs establishing that other theory
so dear to sill who reiOiced when final
victory proved the bloody struggle had not
been in vain, that ours is "a government
proper. founded on the adoption of the pso-
Pile, and creating direct relations between
itself and individuals.
That no state authority has power to dissolve
those relations; that nothing can dissolve
them but revolution;" and the attempt at
revolution having tailed. the constitution Of
The United States and tbs acts OF congress
passed in pursuance thereof, remain the
| supreme law of the land; that the flag of
the Union symbolizes power and not an
abstraction.
FLAG PRESENTATIONS.
BARTHOLOMEW AND TIPPECANOE COUNTIES
| EACH AWARDED BANNER-THE MoNU-
| MENTAL COMMITTEES REPoRr-rHE REso-
| LUTIONS.