The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-10
FAVOR THE CENTENNIAL.


As the days go by the centennial COM
mission is receiving more responses than
ever to the circular letter sent out some
time ago with view to ascertaining the
sentiment Of the people of the Stare rela-
tive to the proposed celebration Of Indi-
ana's one-hundredth birthday four years
hence. From all quarters come enthusiastic
replies. urging that such an opportunity to
show the world Of what Indiana. Is capable
be not neglected. Those who disapprove
the project are comparatively few. In fact
they form a very small percentage of the
vast number OF replies which the commits
sion has received
1t is the opinion OF ]. H. Smart, president
OF Purdue University, that the people Of
Indiana need to be informed OF the history
OF their own State. In writing from Lafay-
cite to the commission he says "They
need to come into knowledge of what the
State has done, of what it Is and of what Il
is capable of doing. Her history has been
a glorious one and the future has great
possibilities. If the people of this common
wealth knew the State as we'll as they
ought they would be very proud OF 1t. The
best way to make good citizers Is to custi-
waite State pride. A proper presentation
of the history, resources and prospects OF
the State to the people would be the great
est educational lesson that could be pre-
scented, one that would enlarge them, give
them self-respect and inculcate a helpful
pride, and thus make the best citizens.
properly conducted exposition, adequate in
all it's details. would be worth everything
to the State, not only from spiritual point
Of view. but would be worth millions from
commercial point of view. should there
fore be in favor of celebration Of this i'm
portant event. If the State could wake up
to the size Of this enterprise and do the
best possible thing, the result would be of
incaiculable advantage" President Smart
favors an extensive celebration, for he be-
lieves meager representation will be worse
than none.
w. Dewitt Wallace. of Lafayette, is heart
lily in favor of a great celebration in the
form OF an exposition which will. as nearly
as possible, do justice to all the varied in
terests OF Indiana and the mighty achive-
ments OF her people. His idea is that on
the big day Of the celebration the exercises
should include an Grafton, a poem and a
song commemorative of the great event.
These should be original productions by
citizens of the State. A day should be set
apart, he thinks, for each congressional dis
trict and one of the prominent features of
the exercises of such days should be ora
tons by the best orators OF the district,
who should each take for his theme his own
district and its contributions to the glory
OF the commonwealth. Mr.. Wallace believes
that these orations, together with the poem
and song, should be published by the State
in handsome volume, which should be
sold and the proceeds applied to the ex-
penses Of the exposition.
1T would seem to be an appropriate
thing" writes Glenn Studebaker from South
Bend. ito take notice of the attainment Of
the State to the responsible age of one hun
dred years. A commonwealth that has sur
vived the lapse of time for this period and
has meanwhile made enormous strides by
way of growth, of population and in the ac-
emulation Of evidence of civilization and
material prosperity may we'll claim a spe-
cial dignity by reason of the fact Both
pride and thankfulness make ii natural that
the people of such State should desire to
indulge in jubilation upon reaching this
epoch in the march of time. Doubtless.
too. the celebration OF such an event would
be Of value to our State In attracting the
attention of the world to what We have
done and what we are, and what our rea-
sonable expectations may be for the flu
| ture." Mr.. Studebaker believes. also, that
| such a celebration will be of value I'm the
| formation and strengthening of patriotic
| character on the part of the people. He
thinks that the character of the celebration
would properly be Illustrated by the great
state interests and its scope should en-
brace and show all the progress made by
| the State in its history. Visitors to the
| exposition" Mr.. Stockholders letter con-
cludes. should be able to review the prog
ress of Indiana through the successive dec
AIDES of its existence in all that pertains to
material growth in the arts. the sciences
| of every branch and description, or what
| ever has tended to make our beloved COM
! monwealth conspicuous and noteworthy In
| the sisterhood of States"