The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-08-28
that we are a united people. That there is
indelibly impressed upon our national life:


"A union of hearts,
union of hands.
union which none can sever;
union OF states,
union OF lands,
The federal Union forever"
Permit me to ask all within the sound of my
voice to view, for just instant, the greatness
of this occasion. Let your minds be occupied
for a moment only, with the grandeur and glory
OF the position OF our own Indiana in the great
galaxy of states. This day she has made it
possible through a solemn enactment OF her
legislature to have laid the cornerstone
OF a great monument, whose splendid
shaft, though it pierce the clouds, cannot
rise higher than her position among the states
of the United States.
Now, in the presence of this vast assembly Of
comrades and citizens, Comrade Benjamin Har-
rIson, late a resident and soldier of our state
now the hOnOred president OF the United
States, who has honored this occasion with his
presence-let me say that | hope and trust In
diana may always have glorious sons in the
future, as she has had in the past. who will
readily and willingly vindicate her honor, and
the honor and glory of the United States, on
every battlefield and in every battle that may
be fought in this country to maintain the prin-
Piles of civil and constitutional liberty during
all the ages to come.
After another song by the chorus Gen.
John COburn of this city was introduced.
Gen. Coburn's speech was very lengthy.
Capt. Lee o. Harris of Greenfield, who
dabbleS little in poetry now and then,
read a really creditable poem in COM
memoration OF the occasion.
After the reading of Capt. Harris poem,
Gov Hovey, in a few short words, intro
duced Benjamin Harrison. president of
the United States. Gov. HOvey said it
would be perfectly useless for HIM to in
troduce the ''favOrite son of Indiana" and
accordingly babe the president step for
ward. President Harrison spoke in q
clear, resonant tone, quite agreeable rs
compared with the rather subdued enun-
citation OF his predecessors.
He was not greeted with the spontaue-
Gus enthusiasm expected, and the demon
stration was very small when he stepped
forward. lie said
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW CIT1ZENs-I
did not expect to make any address on this oc-
casion. 1t would have been pleasant If ] could
have found leisure to make suitable prepare
lions to have accepted the kind invitation OF the
committee having these exercises in charge, to
have prepared an Grafton to deliver here to-
day. | would have felt proud to associate my
name with an occasion great as this. But
public duties prevented the acceptance OF this
invitation, and / could only promise to be
present with you to-day. 1t seemed to me most
appropriate ludt L snOulu NC htIC Win NY
fellow-citiZens of Indiana in this great cere-
mony which you have observed to-day. There
have been few occasions in the history of our
state so full of interest so magnificent, so in
spring as that. which we see.
The suggestion that monument should be
builded TO commemorate the valor and herOsm
of those soldiers of Indiana who gave their
lives for the flag attracted my interest from the
beginning. Five years ago last January, when
the people assembled in the opera-hOuSe y0n-
der to unvel the monument which had been
wOrthily built to our war governor, ventured
then 70 express the hope that near by II
twin expressions of one great sentiment there
might be builded noble shaft, not to any man,
not to bear on any OF its majestic faces the
name of man. but monument about which
the sons of veterans, the mothers of our dead,
the widows who yet with us, might gather,
and, pointing TO this stately shaft say, There is
the monument" That hope expressed that
day is realized now.
/ congratulate the people OF Indiana that our
legislature has generously met the expectations
of our patriotic people. | congratulate the
commission having this great work In charge
that they have secured design which will not
suffer under the criticism of the best artists
of the world. / congratulate you that a monu-
ment so costly as 10 show you that we value
that which il commentaries and so 8rtisticaliy
expresses the sentiment which is involved Is to
stand in the capital of Indiana forever Does
any one say, There is wastfulDesS here" My
c0untrymen $200,0O0 has never passed. will
never pass. from the treasury of Indiana that
will give better return in the generations TO
come than the expenditure for this monument
As have witnessed these ceremonies today,
listened TO these hymns, have read in the
faces Of these men who have stood about me