The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-08-28

sand, and it would be safe to say OF that num-
Der at least forty thousand are suffering with
disease and broken constitutions caused by
severe service in the field. OF all those who
were engaged in the active service few will be
found whose health has not been shattered and
whose lives have not been shortened from ten
10 fifteen years. The list of mortality since the
close of the war fully sustains this assertion.
IL seems to me that no duty could be more
honorable or imperative than for our nation to
shield and protect our heroes in their declin-
ing years, and our veterans should command
their representatives in congress TO no longer
delay this sacred duty.
What volume the history of the soldiers of
Indiana would make, Romance and fiction
would pale when compared with their heroic
and ehivalric deeds. Privatons, hardships and
suferings that no pen can describe have been
borne by the brave men whose services VIC are
now hOnoring by the erection of this beautiful
monument Well may our people be proud of
their sons and perpetuate their glorious deeds,
and may the sons of our veterans learn great
and solemn lesson from the patriotism and de-
votOn OF their fathers. Our people through
cent memento with emotions of patriotism and
pride
A song entitled dedication" was next
sung by the chorus composed of a hum
dred voices.
Gen. Manson of Charlottesville, vet
eran Of botll the Mexican and civil wars,
was the next speaker. He said
Gov. Hovey, Gentlemen of the Monument
Commission, Companions of the Grand Army
OF the Republic and Citizens of lndiana-No
country on earth can justly lay higher claims
to the devotion, valOr and patriotism of her
citizens than the United States. In the early
struggles of the settlers of our territories there
were shown acts of daring and feats OF valor
which make the histories OF those times read
like romances. When it has been found neces-
sary to go to war, in order to settle any cues
ton which caused differences u justify such
action, the demands of the occasion have
always been fully and completely met by our
people. To defend the flag from foreign foes
ana teach the world to respect our cOuntry's
rights has always been our proud claim.
And the hardy sons OF the new nation rushed
to arms to vindicate the rights of people
and government in the war of 1912. Again in
1916 and 1917. in vindication of the rghtful
claims OF the government, the strong and active
men from all classes and professions in life
crossed the Gulf of Mexico, planted the stars
and stripes in the halls OF the Montezumas, and
compelled recognition of the rghtful claims of
the government of the United States When
on the 18th day of april, 1861 the sad news
was telegraPhed over the country that the
American flag had been fired upon and the
blood OF American citizens shed on American
soil, the people were aroused all over the
land. The young and old, the rich and
poor, the great and small-all Indianians-
knew there was a great wrong perpe-
trsted and determined that it should be
nghted. With one voice they registered
vow IN heaven to maintain the unity of the
states the rights of the people, the supremacy
of the constitution, the honor and dignity of
the flag Neither do ancient or modern times
present such examples of patriotism aud self
sacrifice as Immediately became the unaterable
decision of our people. The grand display of
courage, patriotism and devotion which fired
the hearts OF the people and made Bunker Hill
historic as a sacred conservation in the defense
OF principle. reflects, to some extent, the char
acter and nature of the feelings which per-
yaded the whole people. During the French
revolution and in 1871, at a time when il is said
to have been contended by the medical profess
sion that a weak. enfeebled and dying person
might be restored by the infusion OF
blood from the veins of a healthy and
was assembled and during the delivery
before that audience of an Grafton, by one of
the most remarkable statesmen of history all
OF a sudden he fell PROSTATE TO the earth, and
the rumor ran through the vast assembly of
people-who were hanging on his utterances
as the stroke OF divinlty-"that Mirabeau was
dying for the want of blood" A young and
enthusiastic Frenchman threw Oh his coat, laid
bare his arm and rushed through the astonished
and breathless crowd, crying: "Oh, takel oh.
take my blood. but let the life of the champion
OF the rights Of the people be preserved" And
thus did the people of Indiana rush. at the call
OF the country, demanding as determinedly
young Frenchman-"Oh, take! oh, take our
blood But let the life Of the nation, the unity
of the states and the flag of the country be pre-
served" Scarcely had the notes of alarm been
received by our people when the president OF
the United States called Tor 10000 soldiers TO