The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-05
IMMENSE CROWD AT THE GARFIELD
PARK OBSERVANCE.
Reading OF Declaration of Tndepend-
ence and Other MISREPRESENTATION
by Smiley N. Chambers

iiage fresh from the recent rains. There
was plenty of amusement for everybody.
The real exercises of the day began at noon
when the German Veterans Association
fired salute of forty-two rounds. After
that came speeches and music and prize
drills. and dress parade. All over the
park flags were numerous, and the popping
of small pistols and fire crackers was heard
all day.
At o'clock the crowds assembled about
the grand stand to listen to the Fourth of
July orations. The invocation was by Rev.
Larkin w. Bickneil and the prayer was
followed by music by the Boys Brigade
Band. The musicians played the Star
spangled Banner" and Mayor Taggart was
introduced and made brief Introductory re-
marks. He spoke of the peculiar signif-
canoe of the day of celebration and of the
Declaration of Independence. He referred
briefly to the Mexican war and the war
of the rebellion, mentioning Indiana's part
in these great events He referred to Gen.
Harrison's distinguished career as SOL
der in the last war. Mayor Taggart said
he was proud to note that Indiana had
again sent her sons to the defense of the
flag, and he was sure if there are not
enough young men in the State to do In
diana's part the older men--the veterans
of another WARFARE ready to go. He re-
marked that he was pleased with the action
of the Grand Army of the State in passing
resolutions to return the Confederate flags.
The mayor believed this was right The
Mason and Dixon line has been wiped out
there is now only united people, who will
rally around the President with offerings
of moral financial and physical support in
these trying times.
MR.. CHAMBERS'S ADDRESS.
After Mayor Taggart had concluded
Daniel l.. Brown read the Declaration of
Independence. The chief address of the
day was then delivered by Smiley N,
Chambers:
Mr. Chambers first referred to the per-
picking problem now confronting this Ma
ton of disposing of the islands of the sea,
which have come into the temporary pos
session of the United States. The country,
Re thought, will find itself confronting an
experiment, but that should not daunt a
nation which has been experimenting with
such magnificent success from the very
hour of its birth. The experiment of the
Declaration of independence, ridiculed at
the time of it's PRONUNCIATION by all the wise
acres in statecraft, and the ex-
pertinent of the Constitution have been fol-
the Constitution failed the people of this
land, even in the Nations most trying
moments. Whatever experiments the Ma
ton may now see fit to make, along the
lines of extending the blessings of human
liberty, will no doubt be as glorious in their
results as the experiments of the past.
After reviewing the events leading up to
the present conflict Mr.. Chambers said in
conclusion:
,sI.flsk
thrust upon US. They ours. and we
must meet them. The benefits of Chris
tan civilization are to be extended to the
islands of the sea and the United States is
charged with the duty, and shall have the
glory, in all time, of performing this great
work 1t is one of the remarkable things
that IN all great accomplishments there
obstr''ctionists. To-day, in the Senate of
the United States, strange scene is TAX
ty, while our arms are victorious on sea
and land, faction of senators stands OPP
posing the entrance to the United States of
the island of Hawaii. 1t has shaken off the
shackes of monarchy and has permanently
established republican form of govern
ment. 1t has shown itself worthy and
forces are American. Its possession is
necessary to our commerce and safety. Yet
these men, honestly, perhaps, but surely in
error-fll!ibuster to prevent the consumma-
ton of the inevitable.
I'VE have a historical and scriptural in
stance of an attempt to prevent that which
had been decreed by Him who overrules and
directs all events. Jonah, directed to go to
the wicked city of Nineveh and cry out
He took a ship for Tarsus, was thrown
overheard and was swallowed by a whale
and though. punished was preserved for
further work. These representatives of the
people who are striving against the in
evitable in the Senate of the United States
will soon be swallowed up by public opinion,
but unlike their prototype, never to appear
again In the scene of public action. 1t is
dangerous to filbuster against the DEGREES
n rnxviH
What shall we do with the Philippines;
what do we want with Cuba, Porto Rico
or Hawaii? These are questions heard
we want with them. The question is what
is our duty toward them. Shall we return
the Philippines to Spain. and several mil
lions of people to abject slavery? The
emancipation proclamation by which four
millions of slaves were made free was not
farce Tor mere incident of war. 1t
marked a mile post in the march of liberty
and progress. Neither was the destruction
Cavite a mere military event. To look at
it in such light would be taking a very
narrow view of so signal and great an
event. Do l not voice the sentiments of
those who hear me when / say that terri
tory over which the stars and stripes have
floated can never again be the home of
the slave or subject. 1t is forever dedicated
to the principles of civil and religious liber-
ty. This war means something. We have
the courage and intelligence to conduct it
to a successful issue and / have the con-
idence to believe will be able to grasp its
full meaning and to secure its full results
for mankind.
1.-THE sympathy and support of ali are
with the boys in the trenches and on the
vessels under the scorching sun of the
tropics. We send them words of cheer and
God speed. When their glorious work is
done we shall welcome their return with
booming of cannon and shouts of freemen
If they do not return, but die on the field
of battle or in the hospital, grateful peo-
pie and nation redeemed will hold their
deeds of sacrifice in momory ever fresh and
green.
During the exercises at the grand stand
the band played America" and the people
sang it. At $3.50 o'clock several companies
of the Boys Brigade gave a competitive
drill. The first prize. fine flag, was
awarded to the company under command of
Capt p. ]. Kelleher j. K. Gore Irwin
Robbins and James r. Ross composed the
committee on the award OF prizes At 4
O'Clock the youthful troops were reviewed
by the prize committee. Following are the
committees which had charge of the cele-
bration:
Finance-J. NJ. Bonnie, P. G. Jordan.
Thomas Hanna
Music-H. B. Snyder. D. H. Olive, J. M.
Military and Parade-W. II. Armstrong
Samuel Laing, B. A. Richardson, Charles
Programme and Press-C. e. Merri6eld
r. W. Medkirk. Thomas Hanna
Artillery and Salute-Captains ]. L.