The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-23
August %, 1889.
ERECTED BY THE
PEOPLE OF INDIANA.
Act of tho
GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
March 3, 1887.

The stones beneath this are still in the
rough. Some OF them will be covered by
dressed stones. and others will be dressed
as they are set in the walls. The bonored
guest of the day, President Harrison. in
witnessing the ceremony. was accompanied
by w. II. Ii. Miller, Attorneygeneral;J Jere-
miah NJ. Rusk, Secretary of Agriculture; Eli
jah w. HalfOrd, private secretary, and Dan
M. Ransdell marshal of the District of Col
umbia, who We're escorted to the platform
where the exercises were held. After music
creation. THE Battle Hymn of the Re-
public" was sung by Miss Kate Hammond,
of Greencastle, Prof. Barus leading male
chorus. and the audience and brass instru-
ments joining the chorus. All made i'm
mense volume of sound, especially the
thousands of old soldiers taking up the
well-remembered strain.
PRESIDENT LANGsDALE's STATEMENT.
George j. Langsdale, president of the
monument commission, at the close of the
hymn, made the following statement on
behalf of the board:
Comrades and Fellow-citizens-At the great
soldiers reunion IN 1875 a movement was be-
gun TO build state soldiers and sailors Inonu-
ment. The association then organized accumu-
lated fund OF 81 900, being the sum transferred
TO t after the expenses OF the reunion were paid.
Subsequently the Department OF Indiana, Grand
enterprise by effecting legal organization, rep
resented by q monument committee. and tho
fund I'm the hands OF the original association
was transferred to 1t. The cash and valid sub
scriptions raised by this new effort amounted 10
$2I ,000 Recourse was then had to the General
Assembly Of the State, ana on the Sd day OF
March, 1887, the Governor signed the bill which
had previously passed both houses unanimously
In one. and with only sixteen votes opposed in
the other-making an appropriation of 100000
10 erect the monument, which was afiefward
Interpreted by the Supreme Court to also appro-
pirate the incidental expenses additional.
The law provided that the monu-
ment was to be constructed under tho
supervision of a board of commissioners. to be
duly appointed. and on the 2Sth day OF the fol-
lowing June met and organized 20 discharge the
duty Entrusted TO IL. On the 9th DAY or Jan
nary, 1888, IL adopted a design Tor a monument
269 feet in height, the building OF which has
progressed to the point witnessed by you, and we
are now assembled 10 put its cornerstone IN
place. In that stone receptacle has been pro-
containing the records of the commission. OF tho
great army which subdued the rebellion and or
the peaceful organizations that have sprung nom
IL since
Contrary To custom. this monument is not
erected TO an individual, and no mans name viii
appear upon IT, but IL Is erected In honor OF the
citizen soldiers and sailors of the State who gave
the maintenance of the government and the vim
dication or the national honor And as men Of
every creed and color and OF every political faith
aud practice true 10 their country In the hour
of her peril and shed their blood for her protection
SO, too, every man IN the state who has worn
the national uniform can Join hands around this
monument and feel that In Its building not one