Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1889-12-09
EARLY INDIANA.


ana ae.aer. m state Poliaics.
To the Editor Of the Palladium:
In the series of articles published in
the PALLADIUM, last Summer, under
the general title OF "Esrly Indiana, the
expression Pioneer Period" was used
In such ways ~ to convey the idea that
the progress OF the State WAS divided or
can be divided into different periods or
stages. The time then under consider-
alton was the first fifteen years following
lndiana's I'D mission into the U MON, In
1916. Those years partook OF all the
characteristics Of the conditions or
stages in settlement and Improvement
usually styled pioneer times. The
selection OF locations. the removal OF
families thereto. the building OF homes
and the procuring OF the means OF living,
we're matters OF first importance. PUB
lie improvements were to some extent
secondary combinations. The hrst
eight of those fifteen years. were called
of hard times." Afterward, Affairs be-
gan to mend; immigration was re-
newed; large tracts OF land had oeen
brought into market, and, by 1881. the
people we're more hopeful and began to
conte plate great projects tor public
L
Before continuing the confederation
| of events in the Period just now indi-
| Gated as opening about 1881, 1t will be
| well to consider the whole history OF In
diana with reference to the changes In
| the character OF events and In the con-
| ditions of the region.
| DIVISIONS OF INDIANA's HISTORY.
The entire history of the region now
within the limits of Indiana may be
| divided liz to three great parts or epochs,
each part marked by differer cs In the
form and source OF government.
The first part may be called the "Col.
onial Epoch," and extends from the
first visit of white men in 1869, to the
establishment OF territorial government
in 1887. This part contains three Pc
RODS: lst, the Period of French Su-
premacy, from 1869 to 1903; I'd, the
Period Of British Supremacy, from 176a
to Conquest by American Frontiers
men under Clark, in) 1l79i 81, the Re,
Rod while governed by Virginia and
claimed by several States, until, beini
ceded to the general government. terri
torisl government WAS provlded,-iro
1879 to 1877.
The second part may be called the
"Territorial Epoch" extending from
ll7S7 to 1916. This part contains two
Periods: lst, the time under the organ
ization OF the Northwest Territory. from
ll7S7 to 1900; % the Period of the Ter.
ritory OF Indiana, from 1900 to 1916
when Indisna became . State.
The thirt part. following the manner
of designating the preceding parts, may
be called the State Epoch" 1t may
be divided into Periods; and the frs
is the one already referred to and char
acterized - the Pioneer Period" ex
tending from 1916 to 1881. With the
latter date, great activity began to pre-
vail in Indiana, which seemed about
entering . new era. Extensive internal
improvements in canals and roads, were
undertaken at public expense. The
succ ess Of the Erie Canal in New Yorl
had given . pattern and awakened en-
thusiasm. BY the year 1887, the people
began to feel the financial depression
esaaA6, isG.c safs lNsAss' wis lHv0lve6 q
large amount. Until 1915 the reputa
ton OF the State was endangered, when
| credit WAS saved. This Period NAV
be called the Period OF Internal I'm.
provements, beginning about 1881 and
| ending somewhere from 1S45 to 1S4S
The time from 1910 to 1915 was called
Dark days" from the financial troubles
OF those years.
Beginning with the changes in the
years 1916, 1S47 and 1S4S. and extending
to the opening of the Civil War, 1861,
was Period which may be named the
Period of Re organic alton" At first.
1t had been the policy to undertake the
constructions of roads and canals At
public expense. This policy resulted in
disaster financially to the State and
even to citizens. In the succeeding
Period, the policy adopted was to leave
the construction of the larger and more
expensive OF such works to associations
OF men with money to invest in such en-
terprlses. As the business affairs of the
country began to revive. the people of
Indiana began to renew their exertions
to secure means OF intercommunication,
but on the policy OF associated capital.
Railroads supplsnted canals, and many
companies tor their construction, and
also companies tor the construction of
toll roads, were chartered in the last
halt OF the Forties and in the Fifties.
The State turned its attention to educs-
tional affairs. A law for . school tax
was submitted to the people in 1913.
and the subject was tor several years
the most prominent in state affairs.
The Institution for the education of the
Deaf and Dumb Was established in
1874; that tor the Blind in 1917; and
the Hospital for the Insane, contem-
plated since 1892. but on account of
financial obstacles not earlier estab-
lisbed, was erected in 1916 and 1S47.
The State Constitution adopted in /
1916. Was regarded inadequate to the
age OF railroads. telegraph. free schools |
and improved machinery; and . new
form WAS adopted in 1851. New issues
in national politics began to infuance
the people. and in the midst of fair
Indiana was called to take
part In the var tor the Union. From
what has been said. it ill be seen that
the Period just considered. may be
~ Period Of Re orgsni-
zKtion."
The Period of the Civil War;
from 1861 to 1865 iDclusive-need not
De here described. Following it, comes
the present Period. which as yet we
can not name with positiveness, nor
fnIiC NATL |