The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-18
A SOLDIERS MONUMENT,

Senator Harrison's suggestion that an i'm
personal statue be now erected to the federal
soldiers of Indiana meets with universal APP
proval. The words were fifty spoken and in
good season. The veterans of Indiana, living
and dead, than whom the armies of history
never had more heroic, have won for them
selves fame, a renown that can never perish
so long as history of heroic deeds shall endure.
utthey deserve some material memorial that
shall stand at once a monument to the glory
they achieved and to the honor they brought
upon their State. Such figure in bronze,
standing with head erect with arms at
shoulder, fifty IMPLYING the victory he won"
would be but a slight testimonial of the graft
tude due the Indiana veteran from the people
who rejoice in the honorable reputation won
through his valor. The people of Indiana
could not expend the necessary sum to
better advantage. The memorial to
Morton is not to the man alone.
In honoring his memory we have also INDUCED
self-glorifcation The State is proud to set
up his figure in bronze 1t tells to every be-
holder that native-born Indianian was the
illustrious embodiment of the broadcast states
manship and most exalted patriotism, conspic
uous throughout the nation. So, in like man
ner, would monument to our soldiery be a
source of pride and glolifcation to us all,
Typical of unfinching bravery, of loftiest
self-saerifce, and Spartan fortitude under suf-
ferings and deprivations as great as the world
has ever witnessed, such monument would
be perpetual incentive to unselfsh citizen
ship to the oneeming generations. We cannot
add to the glory of the living or the dead who
wore the blueA-we are pewerless to put up or
pull them down-but it is left for us to lift
ourselves to place as near beside them as
possible, and by publicly honoring their deeds,
to inculcate in the minds of our children
that veneration for the country's laws
and institutions, that spirit of perfect
conservation to her service that made the In
diana veteran the envy of all.
On every hand expressions of approval are
heard of the Senator's suggestion. We have
remembered the leader; let us not neglect the
rank and file. The enterprise needs but or
ganization to insure its ultimate success The
State has a population of two millions of peo-
Pile rich in material wealth and in honor
through the services of the federal veteran
A suitable memorial can be erected with no
sacrifice or inconvenience. Who more fit to
lead in this enterprise than surviving vete-
ransl Let the Grand Army of the Republic
select committee of energetic men and set
the movement going. Among the many fa-
vorable comments heard by the Journal is the
following, which evinces what seems to be the
general sentiment, and which would make the
new memorial an assured success from its in
ception ~H
h ''To tho Editor of the indianapolis journal:
eff the Journal will start the movement for
soldiers monument in the Circle, as sug-
gested by General Harrison, | will subscribe
and pay $50 toward it, and more if necessary.
Try it. L. NJ CAMPBELL.
"DANvILLE, Ind, Jan. 16."
Since this article was written the News
has published an editorial upon the same sub
ject, in which it says:
LET us raise monument to the Indiana
soldiers. 1t should be the work of the people
at large, and the machinery is all ready forthe
work 1t is in the various posts of the Grand
Army of the Republic Existing as they do
in so many towns of the State the wheel could
be set in motion at once. To begin with, the
members themselves could each and every
one make contributions. This would set an
example and create nucleus. They could
then easily canvass their various localities. A
better year couldn't be selected than the one
which holds a national campaign. With
proper effort 1884 would close with the money
assured"
Let us start the Indiana soldiers monument.