The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-24
MONUMENT is UNVEILED
STATUE OF w. H.. ENGLISH DEDI-
GATED AT HIS NAME-TOWN.
Impressive Ceremonies Attending the
Transfer of the Work of Art
Speech of Capt. English.

Ind, June 23.--The unwilling
of the English monument. which took place
here to-day, was witnessed by many hun
dred people. There were distinguished visi-
tors present from a distance. The speakers
were the Hon. Frank b. Burke, Hon. F. B.
Posey, Judge c. Wayne Cook and Repre-
sentative W.. 7. Zenor. Captain William
E. English. accompanied by a party Of
friends. arrived here at noon. The cere-
monies were to have commenced at 10
o'clock, but were delayed until afternoon
to wait the arrival of the distinguished
guests. Miss Roma Fleming drew the
cords which unveiled the statue.
After the formal addresses and cere-
monies had been concluded, Capt. VIM. E.
English, who vas present, was called out
by the audience and addressed those as
sembled briefly. After expressing his APP
probation of the hearty greeting to him
self, he said:
1.-The heirs of William H. English fully
recognize that this monument is not erect
ed to them or to the English family, and
that their personal acts of omission or
commission in no wise AFFECT It: that their
past or future acts, their failures or their
successes, their shortcomings or their de-
serts, are of no moment whatever in this
connection; that this statue is here un-
NSll6Q to-day by the C1t1ZenS OF EnRlSn as
a monument to William H. English, and TO
no one else: that it is placed here to the
memory of the man from whom this town
takes its name. and to whom its success
and we'll being We're ever near and dear
to a native of southern Indiana who had
gone forth from among you to achieve a
national reputation, and who at all times
and under all circumstances was true to
all the best demands of distinguished In
diana citizenship. The heirs of William Ii.
English wholly comprehend all these facts,
and that they are merely humble instru-
ments and assistants in the fulfllment of
the wishes of the people of English, and
what they feel confident would be the
wishes of him whom you have to-day sp
highly honored could he but speak. They
fully recognize that this is a monument
erected solely in honor of William H. Eng
lish, and not to his heirs or descendants;
a memorial to one who loved his native
State with all the strength Of his earnest
nature.
Speaking as the one man now living
who knew him best of all the world, l may
be pardoned If | say that his three most
marked and notable characteristics were
his strict integrity, his affection for his
family and his love for his native State.
OF all the striking characteristics of his
strong nature none was more marked than
his devotion to the State of Indiana. He
was especially proud of the fact that he
was a native of the State, and had grown
with her growth. advanced as she had adj
vanced, and progressed as she had pro-
SICSSt0- oCli6 III liz PuDliC =
Of his party at the time when Mcdonald,
Hendricks, Voorhees, and himself were
denominated by the newspapers as the
big four" Of his party's political councils,
he took much pride in the fact hat he was
the only one among all these great associ-
ates that was native ana to the manor
born.
felt a pride in all that affected her we'll
being, her advancement and her renown.
He early became interested in the study
of the States history, and it was this
spirit of devotion TO her interests and her
associations that led him to the fulfllment
of the greatest work Of his busy, active
life-that labor of love-the preparation.
perfection and publication of lndiana's
early history.
He was especially devoted to the south
ern part of the State. where he was born.
spent the days of his youth and the early
and most vigorous years of his manhood.
As the member of Congress from the old
Second district during eight of the most
eventful years in the Nations history, i'm
mediately preceding the civil war, he es-
recially became closely identified with all
that interested this part OF the State, and
never 10 the last moment of his life lost
that interest TO the slightest degree. No
man from southern Indiana ever came to
him with a request that IL was not gram
ed If 1t was in his power to recognize il.
If a man from any of the counties Of the
old Second district came to him empty he
went away filed; If he asked him to walk
a mile with him he went with him twain.
Speaking for the heirs of William III.
English, l now formally present this
statue and pedestal to the citizens of the
town of English and their heirs forever.
Henceforth it is yours, and under your
guardianship and sole control, and we have
no authority over ii. part or parcel in II
except that which accompanies affectionate
remembrance. With its presentation to
you go our best wishes to all Of you. and
we shall always feel the greatest possible
interest frs the town OF EQgliSh and all
that affects its well-being, it's advancement
and its success. We trust that year by
year IL may grow. increase and advance In
every material way; that prosperity and
plenty may here abide; that peace may
enter within your gates, and happiness
and sweet content ever here find their
| choicest dwelling place about the hearths
and homes of all your citizens"
While representing this district In Con-
| gress, W. III. English had a postofice estab-
lished at this place, and 1t was named Eng
lish. in his honor. The town was nothing
more at that time than a country cross
road. 1t was then known as Hartford.
which name IL bore until 1854, when the
| town was incorporated and the name ii had
| borne for years changed to English. A
facsimile of the statue erected here now
| stands at the head OF Mr.. English's grave
in the cemetery at Indianapolis.
The pedestal is ten feet high. At the base
1t is 10 by 10. the foundation proper being
12 by Il feet. The top stone of the pedestal
upon which the statue rests is beautifully
| carved. The height OF the pedestal and
statue is eighteen feet. Bedford stone be-
ing used throughout. in its construction