The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-12
G. A. r. MONUMENTAL ASSOCIATION.
An Address to the People Calling for Sub
criptiOns-ElectiOn Of officers.

The Monumental Association of the Grand
Army of the Republic met at the Office of Adju
tant- general Carnahan yesterday afternoon and
organized by electing George J. Langsdale of
Greencastle, President; General James r. Car
nahan secretary, and George W, Johnston
treasurer. Articles of incorporation will be
filed with the Secretary of State in a day or two
and the organization will then be further per
fected. Each post of the State was
requested to hold a campfire on the evening of
May 2, the proceeds of which are to be devoted
to the monumental fund. 1t was decided to ask
all pastors to preach an appropriate sermon on
the Sunday preceding Decoration Day. The
committee decided that the funds subscribed to
the fund should be invested in registered govern
ment bonds as fast as sums of $500 were realized
The following address was adopted:
To the People Of Indiana
In response to generally expressed wish on your
part the Department of Indiana, Grand Army of the
Republic has been incorporated under the laws of the
State, and the undersigned committee formed in
cordance with the articles of incorporation, and
hereby assume the duty of building a monument to
the loyal soldiers and sailors of Indiana and will at
once proceed TO collect moneys Tor that purpose.
The character OF the monument Will depend upon the
amount received 1t is desire to build it in the
form of memorial hall of the most enduring materi-
ais. with appropriate statuary in bronze The hall
will be divided into compartments for trophies com
pany and regmenta memorials, library for pictures
and books and an assembly room, wherein may
De deposited anything relating to the
in which Indiana soldiers or sailors
have been engaged and where they may hold their
meetings and reunions commemorative OF their sacri
fees and the trumphs of the nation. 1t will be a
school of patriotism teaching that love of country to
the present and future generations which the per-
petuity of our government depends. It's silent in
huence and the memories which it will keep alive will
make loyalty popular. Thus, this monument will
Nv fYif,1
will be erected but it will be of the bulwars of
republican institutions in the future and for this
reason the money which you invest in it will rebound
to your own benefit and that OF your descendants as
well as to the glory of the soldier 1t will be located
in public place at Indianapolis, the center Of the
State, where all the citizens of Indiana, ottCE
they visit the capital have the satisfaction of look
ing upon il. 1t will be the peoples monument
bodyng their noblest sentiments and so placed that
every part of the State may have easy to it,
Such briefly, is the plan of the committees but, if
the responses not sufficient to enable to carry
out, we will then the which have been
placed at orr disposal in erecting such shaft and
statue as will fttingy represent your generosity. In
either event our services at your command.
Contributions may be made direct, by drafts postal
money orders registered letters to the treasurer of
the committee at Indianapolis or to the Quartermas
ter of the local post of the Grand Army of the Repub
lie in your county
With this statement we leave the case in your
hands. The success or failure of the enterprise
depends upon you We do not believe that it will fail
Indiana among the first of the States that rallied
to the defense of the imperiled Union. Indiana sol
uleiS sloou among Jhe nfSt on every patue-ued fOr
four years they every skirmish line On the
march, the picket, in the ight-wherever duty called
and in the hospital, they gave their lives to their
country, enduring untold hardships and snfferings
and shedding their blood without a murmur or a re
greet. They have made the brightest page in the his
tory of the State and their memory revered wherever
valor is honored among And, as they were
among the first in war, so, let Indiana be among
the first i'll peace to build monument to her soldiers
of such noble proportions that it will be typical of
their achievements. In honoring them you honor
yourselves and in building this monument to them
you erect the surest fortress around your iber
ties GEORGE j. LANGsDALE,
JAMES II. CARSAHAN,
D. e. MCCOLLUM,
GEO. w JOHNSTON
T. W. BENNETT.