The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-18

MoHpnls SIDE anu coming out AT the Top
is the largest steel plate ever made in the
United States. This plate reaches from
the supports under the bridge to the ex-
IRENE top and from side to eide, being
open in the center and through this aper-
ture traffic passes.
At the opening of tho bridge celebra-
ton, Senator Voorhees, having been in.
troduced. spoke at length.
Senator Voorhees, speech.
Opening with an eloquent reference TO the
Importance of the event, the speech dealt
chiefly with the subjects natural to such an oc-
casion-the wisdom, patriotism and foresight
of Jefferson in the acquiring of Louisiana, the
glorious results which 1t has accomplished. the
growth of the South within the last thirty years.
Its still brighter future, aud finally, predicted
that the time was not far distant when the bar
rier to the navigation of the oceans would be
removed. Having recalled the negotiations be-
tween France and this country over the dis
puted territory. and read the correspondence
which had passed between Jefferson and the
minister to France till the transaction which
gave the Louisiana territory to America had
been completed, he said:
May we not now with q proud and grateful
feeling, look at the lines of the map wherein 10
lay. Its immense extentand infinite resources
were practically unknown at that time. In the
light OF the present day, however. with the
banners OF civilization full high. advanced and
streaming, throughout all its borders, what a
revelation rises to our view. What constella-
ton of states we see blazing across our whole
western sky. From the mouth of the Missis-
slppi river to the straits Of Fucs, and from St
Louis to the Pacific ocean, the American flag
was placed on April 80. 1903. Under its ample
folds are clustered the states of Louis
AFEanaaa Maasouri Iowa Min
nesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oregon,
Washington. Montana, North Dakota South
Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming, portions Of Colorado
and Nevada and the territory of Utah, all
secured TO the United States by the treaty with
France. But the influence arising from this
act of oonsummate statesmsnship did not cease
nor perish by the wayside, upon its compile
ton. Ii grew rapidly in force, and In far
reaching and marvellous consequence. Only
forty years later tire lone star OF Texas il
Eliminating the horizon of the southwest in re.
volt against Mexico, guided toward the United
States by the example and precedent of the
Louisiana acquisition"
After An allusion TO the party inveclive and
sectional luminosity TO which the war with Mex
leo gave rise. and an expression OF 10y that the
period of aversion and dstrust had given way
to the kindly sunlight of peaceful MONDAY. he
passed over the acquisitions of New Mexico.
Arizona. the southern parts Of Colorado,
Nevada and Utah with brief but appreciative
out Wnen tney came 10 leNas, the
colossus of the Union, which came as a convic.
tlou precedent, and to California. which fell to
us rs a condition subsequent, to the war with
Mexico. the mind was filled with awe and the
bOldest Imagination was baffied with its con-
ceptions Of the future.
what Might Have Been.
The fate OF the nations" he went on, "the
voice and the teachings Of the Ages, the mani
fest destiny of the race, all proclaim a Provi.
dence in history, divinity which shapes the
conduct of human affairs and determines the
ultimate ends to be attained. The treasures Of
Californis, richer and more alluring than the
boarded contents Of all the other collaborating
regions of the earth combined, belonged to the
god-huntinR Spaniard nearly three centuries,
but they were hidden from his eager, cruel and
rapacious eyes. Spanish adventurers, by
authority of the government, repeatedly
thronged the California coast in search OF the
land of gold that lay open to their sight, TO
their touch, their possession and their insatiate
avarice. Had the Spaniard discovered the
gold Of California the face OF the world would
nave been changed and the American republic
of today would have been an impOssibility. As
controlling factors OF commerce and ciyiliZa-
ton aud for the elevation and prosperity of the
lsboring millions on the farms and workshops
of the world. the gold beds and the silver Iodes
of the Pacific states and territories
have been given in trust to the Ameri-
can people, whose sacred duty il is to see that
they are coined and put into circulation as
money on terms OF absolute equality, and in
strict accordance with the constitution as
framed by the fathers of the republic. We
need not dwell today on the results already ao-
complished in our history by the precious
metals of the coast Without the gold and
silver Of California, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona,
New Mexico, Montana and their incentive to
the growth, wealth and transportation OF the
West. the bridge you have opened here would
not have been built. Locomotives and railroad
trains would not have sought crossing at this
point during the present generation. But let
the honors OF history be paid TO whom they be-
long; let giant statue of Thomas Jefferson
stand at the west end of the brid ge his face to
the setting sun; let him look out as ii were,
upon the domain he secured for his country
men. There will rise up before him an abode
for generations more numerous than the in
habitants OF all Europe combined; and il will
there remain q monument to his wisdom aud
statesmanship as eternal as the mountains that
tower mp from its place.
A Tribute 10 the South.
ain no other quarter of the globe was there
ever before displayed the high Christian eour-
age. the sublime devotion TO duty, the steady
nerve and the recupers,ive energy and strength
which have guided this southern people from
the depths Of adversely and ruin to the assured
and glowing prosperity of the hour. Aided by
the hand of an ever ruling Providence, you
have caused the cslamities and curses of war to
become the foremost blessings of peace. You
have removed the rubbish, left by the most de-
structive tornado that ever swept the EARTH
and on their foundations you have rebuilt
states, now more powerful, progressive aud
full of promise of future greatness than ever
before. You have risen superior to the most
unjust aud injurious system of national legis-
lstion that ever cursed psople, not excepting
English laws for Ireland. and that system has
totally persisted, leaving only its memory, de-
spsed alike throughout the North as il is
throughout the South. IL is not new South !;
IL is the old south moving in connection with
the revolution that has taken place. the old
blood and brain power OF the South trans
mitted from generation TO generation, are now
aroused and working out the problem of her
splendid destiny"
The speaker then quoted statistics to show
the growth Of the South in population in
railways and property valuation. There is"
he continued. "sn increase of more than 300
per cent. beyond the best she has done when
at the zenith of her former prosperity Sir,
who shall say that your people are la9gards in
the race? That they slumber while others
speeding on? Who shall say that they waste
their time and dissipate their energies in party
strife race conflicts or lawless pastimes? The
world lie looking on these closing years OF the
nineteenth century in the American republic.
The enemies of the free government have made
l0nd predictions that one section Of the Union
had been ruined by the other; that chronic
aversion, straitened relations and ill disguise
hostility between the United States and the
l.. a. I'll