The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-06
Governor Durbin's Address.

Governor w. 7. Durbin, of Indiana. re-
sponded at length for the sister State of
the Northwest Territory that was admitted
after Ohio into the Union. He said:
1T is my pleasure To speak briefly of
Indiana-nOt for her. Indiana has as
sumed importance which happily ena-
bles her to speak for herself Whenever
i am invited to respond TO the toast that
has been assigned to me tonight l am
tempted Ia repeat the sentence which
Daniel Webster used so felicitOusly and
effectively in complimenting Massachu-
sets: There she stands; look at herr
To the sturdy pioneers who blazed the
way for future progress we owe "A debt
of gratitude that can never be fully re-
paid. They laid the foundation for the
growth of Indiana from a primeval will
derness to State of commanding impor-
lance and almost incalculable resources
These gratifying results were not brought
about by chance Our Strong-hearted for
bears, poorly equipped as worlds goods
are invOiced commercially, but rich i'm the
possession OF wisdom, foresight courage
and integrity. planned the superstructure
upon which the viTile forces OF succeeding
generations have builded. With a keen
ness OF perception that seems prophetic i'm
the light OF to-day they made il possible
for us 10 assemble here tonight TO cele-
brate achievements that challenge the adj
miratiOn OF the world. Those who fos-
tered the conditions upon which we here
pride ourselves. those who remained
steadfaSt OF purpose and undismaved dur
ing the formative periods early i'm the CEN
fury last past. will deserve to be remem-
bered as benefactors whose memories should
be cherished reverentially. The growth 81
our State has been strongly marked by Ali
the agencies essential to ultimate attain
ment of the highest ideals-a DEVELOPMENT
along lines of practical. obvious usefulness
each forward movement opening other in
viting avenues freiehted with promise Of
still greater achievement.
when Indiana first settled mora
than four-ffths Of the territory within its
borders heavily tirbered. and ii was
necessary that these mighty forests should
be cleared away before the toilng pioneers
tion of timber which followed was not
wantOn. however regrettable. but was
mace necessary IN order 10 accommodate
the demands of the onward march of civ
iizatiOn. At that time and for many wears
thereafter the opinion obtained quite gen
orally that Indiana was destined 10 be-
many OF as familiar with primitive con-
ditiOns have lived to witness a transforms
ton little less than marvellous.
INDUSTRIES OF THE STATE
1T was not until 1850 that any consider
able attention was given to the coal-min-
ing interests. but it has now become an
industry Of large and constantly increasing
magnitude. The coal area Of the State is
100 square miles. Indiana now stands
sixth among the States of the Union in
the production Of coal fourth I'm petroleum.
SECOND IN natural gas, seventh in buiidiuE
stone and sixth In clay products The ia
nous oolitic limestone district comprises
1.lSl square miles, and many OF the most
majestic buildings In America are con-
structed Of material from these peerless
Quarries- The States annual output of
cereals approximates the value of si75 600 :
Go. its factories fashion into shape from
raw material products amounting almost
20 ZOO .el0e0. 20 which Il added yearly
about S275ooo.oo0 on account OF farms here's
and hoeks- Our common school system is
unsurpassed. our benevolent and penal in
situations are firmly established on "A non
partisan basis. our tax system is accepted
as model our State debt will soon be a
thing or the past. and altogether we have
every reason 20 be a proud and contented
people
ASIDE from its remarkable achievements
In Industrial and commercial advancement
Indiana Justly pTides itself on its educa-
tional and literary progress. IN the world
OF letters, art and science its citizens are
now conspicuous. The list of those who
have attained eminenCe along these lines
r. too long for repetition here. although
every name Is familiar throughout the
land Recently. while visiting New York