The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-02-24

ried much too far.
The elements which made up the senti-
ment OF people should not be counted
as amiable weaknesses becsrse they were
not at all times noisy and L. t4rbulent. The
gentleness and loveliness of woman did
not cause US to forget that she could in
splre man to deeds Of greatness and hero
ism; that as his wife she often made
mans career nobler and grand. and that
as mother she built and fashioned in her
sons the strong pillars of q state. Senti-
ment was the very lie blood of our ma
ton. Our government was conceived
amid the thunders that echoed "All men
are created equal" and it was brought
forth while free men shouted 1--WE, the
people OF the United States" The senti-
ment of our fathers, made up of their
patriotic intentions, their sincere beliefs.
their homely impulses and their noble
aspirations. entered into the government
they established; and unless it was con-
stantly supported and guarded by q
sentiment as pure as theirs, our
scheme of popular rule would fail.
Let US not for moment suppose that we
could outgrow our dependence upon this
sentiment, nor that in any stage of ma
tional advance and development, it will
be less important. il was because George
Washington completely represented all
the elements Of American sentiment that
every incident of his life from his child
hood TO his death was worth recalling
whether 1t impressed the young with the
beauty and value of moral traits, or
whether it exhibited to the wlsest and
oldest, an example of sublime accomplish-
ment and the highest possible public
service.
Mr.. Cleveland said lac had no sympathy
with those who in these latter days at.
tempted to shake our faith in the au-hen<
ITCHY OF these stories, because they were
not satisfied with the evidence in their
supp0t, or because they did not seem to
accord with the conduct of BOYS in this
generation. He hoped the day would
never come when American boys cannot
know OF some trait or some condition in
which they may feel that they ought to-
be or are like Washington. He was nos
afraid to assert that a multitude of men
could be found in every part of our land,
respected for their probity and worth,
and most useful to the country and
to their fellow men, who will confess theiE
Indebtedness to the story of Washington
and his hatchet; and many a man has
won his way to honor and fame notwith-
standing limited school advantages; be-
cause he found hope and incentive in the
with only common school education.
These were not little and trivial things.
They guided and influenced the forces
which made the character and sentiment
of great people. Washington embodied
in his character and exem plifed in his
career that American sentiment in which
our government had its origin, and which
was a condition necessary 10 our healthfuI
national life.
Young men should interest themselves
in public affairs as a duty of citizenship
and not surrender their faith to those who
discredit and debase politics by scofiing at
sentiment and principle. and whose poli-
teal activity consists in attempts to gain
popular support by cunning devices and
shrewd manipulation.
In concluding his remark, Mr.. Cleveland
reminded his hearers that we may all
| properly learn the lesson appropriate TO
Washington's birthday, if We will; and
that we shall fortify ourselves against the
danger of falling short in the discharge of
any duty pertaining to citizenship, If be-
ing thoroughly imbued with true Ameri-
can sentiment and the moral ideas which
support it, we are honestly true to our
selves.
Every seat was taken and standing
room could not be secured. Many stus
dents took advantage OF the great rush
for admission and disposed of their tickets
at So each. Immediately following the
lecture popular reception was held by
the distinguished guests at the court
house and in the evening they returned to
Detroit.
On the trip from Detroit the express
dent made himself acquainted with the
noteworthy Michigan democrats who ac-
companied him, and, while courteous, was
firm in his refusal to be interviewed. He
was approached by correspondent on
the subject of the political outlook In the
South, but parried the question by the
remark that be did not mix politics with
pleasure. He reiterated his belief that
the tariff would be the issue upon which
the democracy would 60 before the coun-
try this year. To the question "What
about Hill?" be gave no reply, and to q
similar question relating to Gen. Alger,
he replied that he did not believe he was
called upon at this time to pass his judge
ment upon any man,