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

AT some 0pp0rtun6 moment, ike the
present, when the sentiment of patriotism is
awakened and grateful memories of the
slain soldiers of the war are unveiled, it Is
necessary to act promptly to perpetuate
their record. A great reunion of surviving
veterans, such as we have just witnessed,
may serve to rekindle those sentiments
which do honor to the dead while they en-
noble the living. But when generation or
two shall have passed away. even the frag-
ments of old regiments which lately filed
along our streets will have dis
solved entirely, and the visible
evidences of Indiana's work in the
war will have disappeared. Re-
unions of survivors in such numbers as to
impress the eyes OF posterlty can not long
be effected. But 1t must not be forgotten
that generations and centuries, yet future,
will lay claim on US. They will read the
history of the great conflict, and ssk where
are the monuments and records of those
stupendous events? If unanswered, the I'M
paid debt of this generation will stand to its
dscredit forever. A moments reflection will
suffice to show the value OF permanent tes-
timonials to great events. The communists
tore down the magnificent shaft to Napo-
leon in the Place Vendome, but France has
rebuilt what she could not spare. Whs.
consideration would satisfy the loss
of Bunker Hill monument or In
dependence Hall at the end of but
one century, The cities which possess
them are made illustrious thereby. Yet at
the end of thousand years their millen
NAL worth will be more than thousand
fold that of the present. Antiquity is price
less, yet all things must have beginning,
and they who consider the wants ana well
fare of far off generations in the future are
truly friends of the human race. Indiana
should build monument to her soldiery
and to her history in the war. Indianapolis
should present to the eyes Of every visitor
and passing traveller on her thoroughfares
which diverge in every direction, suitable
suggestion of those military operations
by the state of which she was the center
And this is the proper time to agitate and
act. The late presence of so many thousands
of her surviving soldiery urges the subject
for immediate attention. A movement is
already taking form, the outlines of which
WILL oOOA 70 AduO PAchS eSWoA0 VIC W.
ject suggested. When fairly star ed it must
not be permitted to flag for an instant.
Somewhere within the city suitable monu-
ment recording and perpetusting the mill
tary history Of this state, the Ismes of her
heroes slain in battle and surviving the war,
the part she bore in the conflict which
brought more or less of renown to all the
states, preserving her mementoes and relics
of untold value, and doing simple justice to
her posterity, should b. begun Immediately.
There are eligible spots which themselves
suggest the work and silently ask for it.
One of these Is the Circle, now sur
rounded almost entirely by elegant
architecture and located at the center
of observation and public resort
No thoughtful stranger of cultured mind
ever fails, when visiting this part of the
town to ask what is to be done on this sug-
gestive spaces Why is it not adorned and
made to speak in honor of the intelligence,
taste and public spirit Of the city? The