The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-01-28
RET1REMEN OF GOVERNOR PORTER

RETIREMEN OF GOVERNOR PORTER
The retirement of the late Republican
Chief Magistrate OF the Commonwealth has
occurred with somewhat Of eclat and salts
faction, The complimentary vote of his
party in the General Assembly must have
been to him and his friends qualification of
10 small moment and at the same time
mild bat very perceptibls rebuke OF the
aspirations OF Mr.. Cslkins to the recognized
position of leadership in the State. At the
same time We notice with real pleasure the
announcement of the purpose of the dis
inguished ex-Chlef Magistrate to devote
himself, after a brief period OF rest from
official lsbors to the work OF writing the
history OF Indiana. Such an undertaking
justly deserves the very general interest and
attention which its announcement has
already attracted. Many books have been
written upon this same subject, but
they will be found rather TO
contain the materials for history than his
tory itseIL The annals of our State do not
lack the interest of even very remote an
dquity. The FIRST Indianians were doubtless
the mound builders; and any account Of our
country will, therefore, reour in the first
chapter, at least, to the very remarkable
monuments of that race, still existing in
our midst, constructed in that night of time
which antedstes the Appisn Way or the
foundation OF Pompeii or Herculaneum.
These ancient structures, such as that sys-
tenn of esrthworks seen now ia Madison
Comfy near Pendleton, are as fully worthy
of historic notice and commemorstion as the
"castled crsg OF Drschenfels," or any cita-
del, temple or tower of the medic val, Grecisn
Or Roman world Nor would such a work
he complete without a sketch of the various
Indian tribes who inhabited this territory
at the time OF the earliest expeditions Of
the French explorers thereto, upon their
route by the way Of the Wabash
from the great lakes to the gulf.
A relation OF the habits and customs, some
notice OF the languages, government and GER.
snonials Of the Delawares, the Shswnees,
the MIamis and the Pottowattomies must
sorihily fad place in such a narrative, and
would bring down the course of events to
what are called historic times.
We regret TO note that the work is to end
with the close of the administration, as it is
called, of Governor Morton. We think such
en- ending premature, and, besides. We think
we see in it a disposition to mark the differ
emit Gubernatorial administrations as eras OF
distinct Importance in the annals of the
State, whereas nothing could be farther
therefrom. The building and completion OF
the first turnpike, of the first canal, of the
first or last line Of rail way in our borders, or
OF the successive telegraphic posts aud
statioDs-either of these is of infinitely
more moment than the data oil
any inaugural or the contents of any m es-
sage. These sre the real olvmpisds OF
progress. OF all earthly rulers the Governor
Of Indiana is, as such. the most Insignificant
Bis influence upon the Legislature, upon
the action of The commonwealth, is, and
seems by constitutional order, designed to
bs nothing. The power aud duties OF the
office are almost wholly ministerial aud