The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-26
THE USES or MEMORIALS.
DIR. Alabaster's Timely Sermon at Meridian
street NJ. E. Church.

DIR. Alabaster's Timely Sermon at Meridian
street NJ E. Church
Rev. John AiabRster, pastor of the Meridian
street church, preached yesterday morning on
the principle and uses Of memorials, taking his
text from Joshua, ii, 81 The sermon concluded
with the following direct reference to the pro-
posed soldiers monument
You are aware that it is proposed to erect
monument to the soldiers and sailors of Indiana
who defended the Union in the late war The
committee having the matter in charge have re
quested that IT be presented in the pulpits of the
State to-day, and that contributions be asked
for the cause. 1t is in harmony with
my theme this hour, in harmony with
the lessons of patriotism taught in
the Bible, and with an intelligent American citi
zenship that we commemorate by suitable
memorials the valiant deeds of men who, on
land and water, fought the battles of the nation.
It must net be forgotten that patriotism is one
of tho most potent forces of civilization, and one
to be conserved even by the church.
And ours is the beoadest patriotism-not the
mere narrow sentiment of nationality, or of race
event. but ours is the enlarged patriotism of ideas,
for ours is a nation founded not on race but on
human rights England is ARgls-Saxon, France
Celtic, Germany Teutonic; but America EN-
braces in one golden band Geit and Saxon, Gapd
and Latin, Teuton and Scandinavian,
white and black. 1t is the richest
truest purest. nohest patriotism on earth.
1t needs no apology; requires no excuse it may
be told to the stars and sounded to the seas, for
its foundations are broader than any other pa
triotism the world ever saw. For such senti-
ment we need broad domain, reaching from
sea to sea and from gulf to lake, q grand union
OF great States not a divided. contentious sec
tionaism. 1t is felsted that IN the army Of Na-
poleon there was private soldier who, by his
valof attracted the attention OF the Emperor.
The great captain called before him the soldier
and said: "You shall be promoted" Nay"
said the soldier ''leh me do nay duty as pri-
yate; that and YOUR approval are al / ask
There was soon another great battle, and La
Tour D,Auyergne was again foremost of the
brave. Once more he was summoned before the
Emperor. LA Tour DAuvergne, will promote
you" said Napoleon. Nay! let me serve as
private soldier"
1t was not long before. in another engagement,
the yal0r of the soldier was observed Napoleon
sent for him the third time, and, he appeared,
the Emperor exclaimed ia Tour d Auvefgne.
FIRST grenadier Of France There WAS no appeal;
the private was promoted. 1t was moi. long be-
fore the brave man fell in battle, and Whenever
the grand army was called for review, at the
roll-call of every regiment was heard, LA Tour
d AuEergne GrSt greDadief of France and
the response would follow, ''Ded on the field
Of honor" A soldiers monument is perpetual
Foll-eall of those who died on the field of hon
or" who, being dead, yet live in deeds and speak
in history.
1t will be monument to tie private soldier as
well as to his general. Walk the galleries of
Europe, and visit her public squares, and
you will see that nearly aid her paintings and
her marbles tell the greatness of her rulers and
leaders. Let sky reaching towers, tail shafts
and beautiful marbles and bronzes common
crate cur WashipgtOps, LiAealns, Garfelds and
Mortons, but let not marble bronze and granite
forget the story of the boys in blue 7" That,
too deserves the telling. Such a monument
will commemorate not alone the dead but the
living soldierly valor and the patriotism that is
in US all. 1t will preach the doctrine of Union"
above the narrowness of State lines; it viii ed
ucate our children more than histories; it will
fan the fame of patriotism in all Who come to gaze
upon ii; it will eomnaemorateti the goodnessef Him
whe giNeth victory to Justice and to right 1t
will tell of the hottest patriotism that ever in
spired men to leave hearth and altar for the tolls
Of war; it will aid to commemorate the re-bifth
of the nation the re-asseltion of the Declaration,
the new birth of liberty for the world We are
TO have one great monument at the entrance OF
one of our principal llarboiT which shall show
the nations Liberty Enlightnng the World;
we need such statutes and such monuments over
all the land
On the coast of France saw that colossal col
umn reared by the elder Napoleon TO conllaem-
crate his victory over the English. 1t wasp pre-
nlatuieiy erected. lie was going over 30 invade
and eonqlIOr England and MAS SO certain OF his
victory, that he built his monument first, but he
changed his mind and never went. And there
towers thai column a monument of his insatate
ambition an intended record of military glory.
We seek not the continuation of strife; we would
not build monuments for military glory, for we
are nation of citizens. not soldiers; but We
would have monument which shall honor the
patriotism of our new and noble civilization
And let US not forget that patriotism is more