The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-18

citizens-both before and after the war
Iney were men who, under patriotic I'M
short, every peaceful vocation-to fight for
their country; and when the long struggle
the confiict-to the peaceful pursuits they
had temporarily laid aside for a graver.
supEmer duty. 1t is not so long since the
close of the war but that some of US ought
TO remember how the world at large was
astounded. as well as gratified. at the
spectacle of an army numbering more than
million men, quietly dissolving and be-
ing swallowed up by civil society as though
1t had never existed. 1t was regarded as
something little short of a miracle.
In view of the fact that our monument
was intended a testimonial not only to
those who fell in battle or died of wounds
and disease, but, as well. to the patriotism
and valor of every son of Indiana who
donned the blue, it seems to me that the
group Peace" should have its place on
that monument 1t would not only illus
trate the character of the Indiana citizen
soldier, but it would typify the peace which
/ cannot understand why MIR. MacMon-
mics should have desired to change the
noisseur in art, and must offer my views
with caution; but it seems to me there is a
stronger. appeal to ones patriotism pre-,
scented through the idea of the War and
Peace groups than in Mr.. MacMonnes's
Attack and Defense" 1 must confess
that read the artists description of his
any part If my nervous system. Can 1t be
possible that Mr.. MacMonnies's desire to
was based is due to the fact that when he
brought his artistic mind to bear on the
subject ne found it impossible TO conceive
tyr.f- peace? No. that can't be possible;
for is not Mr.. MacMonnies the one pre-
eminent sculptor of the age? And is 1t not
our duty as well as our privilege to wor-.
ship him as such?
Indianapolis, Feb. 16.
Wants the Commission Continued.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The News is having another of it's period
zeal spasms, and this time it. is about the
monument commission. 1t is nonsense to
talk about the president Of the commission
having devoted his life to the cause of the
monument. If he never had been heard of
the monument would have been built just
the same. He now wants the commission
abolished and himself appointed regent, with
full power to fill subordinate places. / dis
tinctly remember about two years ago we
had trouble with him when he was trying
to Mexicanize the monument. The News at
that time said it was only few brass
buttoned coffee coolers who We're oppos-
ing the Mexican idea, but when the de-
partment met in ampment at Evans
vHie II promptly ana very unanimous M 70
Ira J. Chase. voted him down and off of the
monument committee, refusing to allow him
to serve his time out, which was only then
about two hours. Again, remember the
same question came up before the regiment
in which the president of the commission
had the honor to serve for short time dur
ing the war, and again he was unanimously
repudiated. i do not believe the old SOL
diers of this department want the commits
sion abolished. They are not afraid of such
men as Mr. English. He only desires that
the monument shall be completed in all it's
parts, as the law directs.
The News. in connection with this same
question. Is trying to scare the people with
the MacMonnie. idea that the groups must
be changed to suit his fancy, and that if
we fail to secure the services of MacMon-
MES we are forever lost and ruined. 1
derstand that the MacMonnies idea does not
come within the provisions of the law, and
that is probably where most of the trouble
lies. Let the resignation of the president of
the commission be accepted just as soon
possible and his place filled by a reliable
man, legalize the dates as they now stand,
and then quit. GEO. w. SPAHR.
Indianapolis, Feb. II.