The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-09-13
GOV. MATTHEwss ADDRESS.
lie Welcomes the G. A. II. In His
spcech-NVhnt lie said.

lie Welcomes the G. A. II. In His
spcech-What lie said.
mir. Chairman and Delegates Of the G..
a. Rho prouder privilege ever fell to
the lot OF governor Of Indiana than Is
my proud and happy privilege to well
come within our state this day repre-
sentatives OF that grand patriot army
that but one generation ago marched out
10 battle for their country. We have
looked for you. and hoped you would
come. and now that you are here we re-
1oice and feel honored In your coming.
Citizens Of Indiana with a sacred memo
~ OF the past bid you welcome. Not
only the voices of so, 600 Indiana soldiers
living rise In cheering anthem 10 greet
you. but from the graves Of thousands
Of Indiana soldiers dead. there exhales
a blessing, sweet and divine, claiming
our memory to their deeds Of valor.
Unreasonable sacrifices and souI-inspir-
ing devotion. Such an occasion as this
carries US back with reverence in our
hearts TO the stirring times when you
and your comrades, loving the institu-
tons Of your country with an abiding
faith IN its future greatness and firm
belief in the grandeur Of its destiny as
resolved that rather than that one star
should disappear from It's diadem you
would perish in it's defense.
Thousands OF Graves.
"And the thousands Of graves upon the
battie-helds OF our country attest the
sincerity OF your resolve, and proclaims
that war has its mission as we'll as peace
TO push forward human civilization. aid
IN the progress and establishment Of the
world. and establish the principles Of
great and beneficent government on
foundations that will last through the
centuries to come.
'I believe that war is oftentimes
sublime necessity and has often been
the mysterious agent used by divine
providence to accomplish and perfect
great works IN and for the human race
So it was in that war hallowed by the
valor and the memory Of your COM
rades. that the bond of union IN the
states should be more firmly cemented.
the shackles stricken from the limbs of
the slave. and a form Of government
destined TO be the grandest example OF
free government that has existed IN the
history or man, should be adapted from
the uses and the purposes Of a nation
Of 100000 TO one OF s.. 600. 900 Of people,
from a government whose area but ex-
tended from the Atlantic 10 the Allegheny
r1ountains. TO one that now stretches
from ocean to ocean; embracing nearly
every soil. climate and condition OF the
world. and accepted as a refuge and a
home for all the oppressed and discon-
tented. to be placed upon the broad sys-
TEN that can comprise all natlonallties
and Undue them with the spirit of lib
erty and faith in self-government.
A Generation Must Pass.
eft is said that one generation must
pass before the history Of a great epoch
can be written. but it does not, and did
not. require one generation to realize
the results that came through your suf-
fering. sacrifice and devotion. 1t is not
my purpose here today TO follow the his
tory OF those times with which you are
all familiar nor to recite your courage
as you stormed the nights Of Lookout
Mounain. faced the murd rous fire at
Shiloh. or how your comrades fell at
Stone River. nor dwell upon their suffer-
fngs IN the dreary march through the
Wilderness. the hopes and misgivings at
Vicksburg. Antletam and Gettysburg, nor
llnger with you as you stood at last with
Grant beneath the tree at Appomattox
and received the reward for all labors
and sacrifices In a country saved, in a
people united and a complete union OF
states. But in conclusion 1t Is permits
sible TO say In this year 1898. that
through your valor, your sacrifices and
your patriotism it Is our privilege to wit
ness the great result, In the MASTERPIECES