The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-08-23
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH
in part. was as follows

"1lr. President and FellOw-Citizens.
did not expect to make any address
on this occasion. Is would have been
pleasant if could have found leisure 10
make such preparations TO have ac-
cepted the invitation of the committee
having these exercises in charge
70 deliver an Grafton. ! would
have felt it an honor to associate my
name with an occasion so great as this.
Cheers Public duties, however, pre-
vented the acceptance of the invitation.
and could only promise TO be present
with YOU to-day. Ii seemed TO me most
appropriate that | should take part with
nv fellow-citizens of Indiana m the
great ceremony. There have been few
occasions in the history of our State so
full of interest, 50 magnificent. 20 IN
spring as that which we now witness.
Cheers.
The suggestion that a monument
should be buill to commemorate the
valor and heroism Of those soldiers Of
Indiana. who gave their lives for Tue
flag. attracted my interest from the be-
ginning. Five years ago last January,
when the people assembled in the
Opera House yonder to unveil
the statue, which has been
wOrthily set up TO our great war Gov
ernor. yentured to express the hope
that nearby it. as a twia expression OF
one great sentiment, there might be
/ builded a noble shaft. not % any man
nor to bear on any Of its majestic faces
the name Of a man, but a monument
about which the sons OF veterans, the
mothers OF our dead, the widows
! that cry yet with Us might gather,
and. pointing 10 the stately shaft,
say There is his monument. The
hope expressed that day IS realized now.
/ fCrie Of Thank God aud cheers.
+ As have witnessed these ceremonies
aud listened to these patriotic hymns,
read in the faces of the men who stood
about me. that lifting up Of the soul,
that kindling of patriotic fire, that ha.
made me realize that on such occasion.
the nation is LAYING deep and
strong its future security. lCheels.
This is a monument OF ludi
ana to Indiana soldiers. No Ameri
can citizen need avoid IL. or pass il Will
unsympathetic eyes, for, my country
men. il does not commemorate a war oil
subiugation. There is not ia the United
States to-day man who, If he realizes
what has occurred since the war, D1
has opened his soul 10 the sight Of tina
which is to come. will not feel that it i
good for all our people that victory
! crowned the cause which this m0nu
t ment commentaries. Cries Of amen,
! and applause
Il do not seriously believe that if w
, can measure among the States the bene
its resulting from the preservation o
the Union. the rebellious States hav
the larger share lappauscl. Itdessroy
ed an institution that was their de
struction. IL opened the way for
commercial life. that if they will Onl
embrace it. and face the light, mean
to them a development that shall riya
the best elements Of the greatest OF on
:, States. Applausel.
: And now let me thank you for you
: pleasant greeting. have felt lifted Il
+ by this occasion. Applause. Ii seen
= to me that our spirits have been borne u
e TO meet those of the dead and gloriiie,
d and that from this place we shall go
our homes more resolutely set IN OF