The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-03-06
GROWTH OF The NATION
Contrasts of Our Country of To-Day and One
Hundred Years Ago.

Contrasts of Our Country of To-Day and One
Hundred Years Ago.
This occasion derives peculiar interest from
the fact that the presidential term which begins
this day is the twenty-sixth under our constitu-
ton The first inauguration OF President
Warrington took place in New York where
congress was then sitting, on the 30th day of
April, 17S9, having been deferred by reason OF
delays attending the organization OF the con-
gress aud the canvass of the electoral vote
Our people have already worthily observed the
eentennials OF the declaration OF independence,
of the battle OF Yorktown and OF the adoption
OF the constitutions and viii shortly celeb rate,
In New York. the institution OF the second
great department OF our constitutional scheme
of government When the centennial OF the
institution OF the judicial department by the
organization OF the supreme court, shall have
been suitably observed, as trust it vii! be, our
nation will have fully entered its second CEN
fury.
1 win not attempt to note the marvellous and
in great part, happy contrasts between our
country as 1t steps over the Threshold into its
second century OF organized existence under
the constitution, and that weak but wisely
ordered young nation that looked undaunt-
edly down the first century when
all its years stretched out before il. Our peo-
pie will not fail al this time TO recall the incl
dents which accompanied the institu ton of
the government under the constitution, to
find Inspiration and guidance in the teachings
and example of Washington and his great asso-
ciates, and hope and courage in the contrast
which thirty-eight populOus and prosperous
states offer TO the thirteen states weak in
everything except courage and the love of lib
eTty, that then fringed our Atlantic seabOard
The territory of Dakota has now population
gre ,ter than any of the original states Except
Nirginia) and greater than the aggregate OF FIVE
OF the smaller states in 1870. The center of
population, when our national capital To-
Gated, was east OF Baltimore, and it was argued
By many wellInfOmed persons that 1t would
move eastward rather than westward. Yet in
1850 il was found to be near Cincinnati, and
the new census, about to be taken, will show
another stride TO the westward. That which
was the body has come TO be only
the rich fringe OF the nations robe.
But our growth has not been limited
to territory, population and aggregate wealth,
/ marvellous as il has been in each OF these direc-
l tons. The masses of our people are better fed,
/ clothed and housed than their fathers were.
l The facilities for popular education have been
I vastly enlarged and more generally difused.
/ The virtues OF courage and patriotism have
/ given recent proof of their continued presence
/ and increasing power In the hearts and over
/ the lives OF our people. The influence of reli-
/ giOn hes been multiplied and strengthened.
/ The sweet offices Of charity have greatly in
/ higher estimation. We have not attained an
/ ideal condition. Not all Of our people are
/ happy and prosperous; not all of them are vir-
i tuous and law-abiding. But, the whole, the
| opportunities offered the individual to secure
the comforts of life are better than found else
/ where, and largely better than they were 100
/ years ago.