The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1889-08-29
A SOldi ers' Monument,

The corner stone of then Idiaua soldiers
and sailors monument was laid as Indian
apolis, Ind, with imposing ceremonies in
the presence of the president of the United
States Many men of prominence of the
United States and thousands of veteran
soldiers and sailors were present
The city was aflame with color in honor of
the occasion. The exercises Of the day be-
gan at 2 o'clock, when the parade formed
and began its march through the principal
streets 1t was made up of various posts of
the G. A. R. throughout the state, and the
state militia and local civic organizations.
1t is estimated that 5000 were in line. 1t
was nearly 3 o'clock when the head of
the procession reached the monument All
the streets surrounding it were packed
with people, all anxious to catch q
glimpse of the president and other promi-
nent personages who appeared on the SPEAK
ers' stand, and to witness the ceremonies.
AS the president was recognized on the stand
acknowledged with slight bow The
crowd watched in silence the laying of the
corner stone by Charles NJ. Travis, deputy
commander of the Indiana department., g. A.
r The documents were consigned to their
resting place, and then the stone was placed
in position in accordance with the ritual of
the G. A. R. In performing the ritual rites,
Commander Travis was assisted by the
officers Of the department and by the
presidents respective of the Sons of Vet
Grams and the Woman's Relief corps. When
the stone had been placed in position the ma
tional flag was raised and the "Star Spangled
Banner" sung by Mrs. Zelda Seguin Wallace.
Following this Gov. Hovey, us presiding Off
Ger of the occasion, made a brief address,
and he was followed by Gen. M D. Munson
of Charlottesville aud Gen. John Coburn of
Indianapolis
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
At the conclusion of the latter's address
President Harrison was introduced to the
assemblage, and after the applause which
greeted him had ended, he spoke as follows:
There have been few occasions in the history
of our state so full Of interest, so magnificent
inspiring, as that which we now witness. The
suggestion that q monument should be builded
to commemorate the valor and heroism 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 as
sembled In the opera house yonder to unveil the
statue which had been worthily set up to our
great war governor, ventured to express the
hope that near by 1t, as twin expression
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 a man, but
monument about which the Sons of Veterans,
yet with us. might gather and pointing to the
stately shaft say: There is his monument.
| The hope expressed that day Is realized now.
My countrymen, $500, 900 has never passed and
| will never pass, from the treasury Of Indiana
that will give better return than the expendi-
ture for the erection of this monument.
| 1nlS S monument OF INDIANA TO In
diana soldiers. But I beg you to remem-
| Der that they were only soldiers Of
Indiana until the enlistment Of which was
| taken: that from that hour until they came
back to the generous state that had sent them
| forth they were soldiers of the Union. No Amer
lean citizen need avoid 1t or pass 1t with unsym-
| pathetic eyes, for, my countrynen, 1t does not
/ commemorate war of subjugation. There Is
not in the United States to-day man who, IL he
realizes what has occurred since the war, and
has opened his soul to the sight OF that hich is
4 to come, who will not feel that it is good
for all Of our people that victory
crowned the cause which this monument
commentaries. / do seriously believe that II
we can measure among the states the benefits
resulting from the preservation of the Union,
that the rebellious states have the larger share,
II destroyed an institution that was their de-
struotion 1t opened the way for Q commercial
| life that IL they will only embrace 1t and face
the light means to them q development that
shall rival the best attainments Of the
greatest of our states. ! have felt
| lifted up by this occasion. 1t
seems to me that our spirits have been borne up
to meet those of the dead and glorifed, and that
| from this place we shall 60 to our homes more
resolutely set in our purposes as citizens to con=
serve the peace and welfare of our neighbor-
hoods, to hold up the dignity and honor Of our
free institutions, and to see that no harm shall
come to our country, whether from international