The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-10-22
Tbs Beautiful Building Given in
Charge Of the Trustees by
Governor Williams.
Addresses by Governor Hendricks and
DR.. Everts-Remarks by Drs.
Jameson and Rogers.
A Large and Brilliant Assemblage Present
Feasting and other F.stivities-A
Memorable Occasion.
From Thursdays Daily.l


The formal ceremonies attending the OPEN
ing of the new Hospita, for the Insane
department for women) took place in the
hall of the new building last evening. Both
the old and the new buildings were bril-
liantly illuminated Throughout and pre-
sented grand spectacle at a distance on the
road to the great numbers who
attended the opening in carriages,
buses. hacks and other conveyances.
By o'clock p m. the auditorium was
completely filled with the wealth. intelli-
gence and beauty of the city and State. At
the head of the hall sofas were occupied by
the following prominent gentlemen: Hon.
T. A. Hendricks Governor Williams, Wesley
w. Woollen, Dr. Orpheus Everts, DR.. Jane
son, Dr. Rogers, Rev. Dr. Bradoee. Judge
MartIndaie; Senator Davis of Nermillion
county; Major Gordon; Hon Exeum saint,
of Henry county; Senator Dunham, of Da
viess Senator Reeve, of Marshall; Hon. John
p. Early. trustee of the Soldiers Orphans
Home; Senator Joseph Z Mcdonald, Hon.
Franklin Lauders, Hon. John ]. Cooper,
Hon. John G. Shoemaker, and many others.
Among the ladies present were Mrs. Gov
ernor Hendricks, Mrs. Judge Martindale,
Mrs. John Cooper and Miss Jennie Cooper,
Mrs Byfield. Mrs. Judge Jordon, Mrs. Wiil
Peelle, Mr.. Franklin Landers.aad.daughter,
Mrs. John G New, Mrs g. Q. Buskirk, Mrs.
r..
number of others, including the bellies and
fashion of the city.
Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks presided over
the ceremonies, and announced that Rev.
DIR. Mabie, OF the First Baptist church,
would open the exercises with prayer. At
the conclusion, Governor Hendricks stepped
forward and said:
Address OF GOVERNOR HENDRICKS.
There is no duty imposed upon the Legisla-
ture that is of more Importance than the es-
Enlistment and maintenance OF the charita-
BILE institutions, consisting of the Deaf anu
Dumb, Blind and the Insane Asylum. The
old Asylum tor the Insane, on account of the
great increase in the population OF the state,
became too small to accommodate our unfor
tunate insane, and can not express myself
better upon the causes which led to this build
ing than did in my message to che Legis
ture recommending its erection, as follows;
nate class rsmain Toprovided for, Thev can
not be properly taken care OF in the poor
houses. In hundreds OF instances they are n
terrible burthen upon families-the objects of
ceaseless anxiety. 1t seems there is no place
tor them in private life. They become hop.-
less objects OF comm iseration, and sometimes
of disgust. Without the capacity in many
instances to preserve decency, they bring
bors. They can not speak to YOU They do
not know you, nor do they know that you, the
peoples representatives, are their guardians.
They can not read the constitutional provision
in their behalf, but you and L can. The
honor OF. the State and the hui
these poor unfortunates to be longer neglect
ed. L believe Indiana is to day the most pros
porous State of the Union. Her people are
liberal and generous in a cause like that for
which plead. Everybody else has a home.
These poor, s.aress, hopeless wrecks OF hui
manity must also nave a home. They must
be cared for, that they may live, and die, and
be buried, like our brothers and sisters.
was much gratifed when the Legislature
acted upon the recommendation in the mes
sage, and appropriated money for the erection
of the present building, which Is tonight
being dedicated to the public service, and
know of no reason why this institution
should not move on as smoothly as the other
benevolent institutions of the State.
Now, understand that our State does not
propose to only take care of those who are
curably insane. but in addition proposes to
take care of the incurably insane as well. This
building is dedicated to that purpose, and will
relieve many private dwelling of this class
of persons. who must be cared for.
now have the pleasure of introducing to
eX-superintendent of the Insane Hospital.
ADDRESS OF DIR. EvERTS.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN-In responding to the call oil
the committee of arrangements, to address
this assemblage, gathered Tor the purpose OF
tremendously opening this great Hospital
for the reception OF the afflicted and helpless
of our fellow-citizens, beg your indulgence
while review rapidly the origin and history
of such public provision for the insane, before
which We are now about to dedic ate to it.
appropriate uses. Provision by State and
municipal authority for other than GRIMM
pauper insane, without expense to the citi
zen beyond his general contribution to The
America, and is here not common 10 all of the
States. Indiana is one of the few states which
assumes the entire expense of custody, main
tenance and treatment OF her in
sane citizens. Public provision fol
medical treatment of the insane
people step by step with the gradually grow
ing perceptions of science, derived from
insanity is a symptom OF bodily disorder, ant
not of spiritual deprayity. This is not al
age, but a reminding Of a truth, which wa
recognized and acted upon by ancient Pagan
civilization, but lost sight OF IN the genera
observation of science incident TO the enforce'
ignorance of what are known as the darl
ages of Christian civilization. For 1000 year
dogmatism in religion and scholasticism il
philosophy among all Christian peoples, to b
insane was equivalent to being bewilcheo
enchanted, or possessed of devils. Families c
pride and means carefully concealed thei
supposed disgrace by secIuding their insane
Friendless creatures so afflicted were beaten
ban1shed or 1mpr1SOu ed. A Few were take
up by brethren OF tne reiigious oraers an
acled to be disciplined. starved, beate
and prayed for by their priestly benefactor
or IL d-mented and harmless. employed 8
beggars for their piaus guards Not until tn
profound upheaval in France, near the clos
earthquakes crash the foundations of societ,
religious and political, was there CLEAN
revolution which DR.. Pinel lnaugurated an
accomplished In the care and treatment OF u
insane in the prison Warehouses OF Paris. b
Withdrawing them from dark and nOlsOm
cells, striking off their chains and banishin
all Instruments of torture, bringing into lfgl
and freedom men and women who had grow
ferocious by imprisonment and the hais
treatment of keepers, VINO themselves wei
malefactors, condemned as a punishment
live with and take care of the insane, recos
nIzing their humanity by giving them kin
words, food and clothes, and classifying the,
according to their conditions, in renovatt
and improved buildings, was no less remarl
able and memorable because of its far-reaci
ing influence than was the work of his C
tempories Danton, Robespierre and Lafayett
upsetting thrones, beheading monarchs, bal
governments. From that day to this i
crease.of knowledge, and consequent improv
ment in methods and provision for the Gu
touy and treatment of the insane has be-
uninterrupted.
Two lunatic asylums. as they were calle
were founded in this country before the b
ginning of the present century-one at Phil
delphia and ono at Williamsburg, Va.
State Hospitals for the Insane are much mo
modern Institutions. All OF the older Stat