The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-31
GREAT CROWD AT LIBERTY
Listens to an Eloquent Address by
Representative Watson.

Special % the indianapolis Journal
LIBERTY, Ind. May 3O.-Never before in
the history Of Liberty has there been such
an outpouring of the people TO attend Deco
ration day services. The fact that Repre-
sentative James E. Watson was 10 be
orator OF the day, doubt, had much
10 do with the turn out Of the people, not
one-third OF whom could find seats or
standing room in the opera house, where
the exercises took place. Mr.. Watson was
in his usual good form for public address.
but contrary TO his custom paid heed 10
manuscript. but some OF his most eloquent
oratory was an inspiration OF the occasion.
The address throughout was on lofty
plane OF OratOry and patriotism. He spoke
IN part follows:
thread. runs through all history. is the
fatherhood Of God and the brotherhood OF
man. IL ties all ages together. 1t relates
all people. Ii explains all events 1t IL
Eliminates all history.
THE development OF successive centuries
Is but the result OF the orderly processes
OF evolution. the gradual unfolding OF this
supreme purpose of God. For. a great
thinker says, The procession OF nations IN
time. like the erratic phantasm Of dream,
does not 20 forward without reason or
order, but there is predestined, prede-
termined march In which all must join,
ever moving, ever resistlessly advancing,
encountertng and enduring an inevitable
succession OF events
Inc pillar OF cloud Dy 0dy anu OF
by night that has led the weary and
heavy-laden sons of men through sixty
centuries of doubt and darkness. has been
the divine idea of equality, at times dimly
seen at times feebly understood at times
lost 10 the many, but always visible 10
few grand souls. who comprehend the
march of the centuries and read the future
by the unerTing light Of the past. For in
every age there have been prophets. seers
and interpreters. who. even amidst sur
rounding darkness, clearly foresaw the
3, rbo
with undimmed vision saw the triumphant
future of mankind.
whence came this idea of fraternity?
1t was nameless longing planted In the
breast OF primitive man by an all-wise
Father. a longing that shall never cease
until all men are forever free. But 1t had
its first voicing on Judea's hills. 1t came
from the inspired prophet and the divine
Hberator of Nazareth from Him who
spake as never man spake. He taught
humanity a new prayer, Our Father
which lifted the lowly plebean. lowered the
lofty patrIcian and placed all men on
common leyel-equal rights and equal priv
ileges for all. 1t was the first announce
ment of the divine idea of the fatherhood
of God and the brotherhood of man, and
such was its cOnquering potency that in all
the centuries that have come and gone no
power has been able to check its resistlesS
march. For 1850 years. the whole earth
over, the conflict between equality and
II ended, grandly ended at Appomattox
In the final dedication Of the western world
10 liberty.
A GRAND LINEAGE.
1.-The soldiers of this Republic. who have
always come from the ranks of labor, have
a grand lineage. They are the direct de-
scendants of all those who in every age
and Cline nave helped to disenthrall man
kind. of all those whose souls have gone
up 10 heaven amidst the curling smoke of
funeral pyres because of their devotion TO
principle; of all those who. in every race
and among every people, have endured
and died that humanity might be free.
They are related to every martyr In their
veins courses the blood of every hero. To
them il has been given to greatly advance
a task so feebly begun in the very infancy
OF the race. and so grandly continued un-
der cloud and storm. and amidst blood and
death. until at last, through their sacrl-
fees the spirit of liberty holds undisputed
sway over half the world.
Inspired by the idea of equality, this
American idea, King Alfred wrote the
treaty of WedmOre and King John surren-
dered a portion Of his sovereign power at
Runnymede: SavanarOla defed the auto
Gratis OF Florence and gave a new inspira-
tion to individual liberty; the Maid of Or
leans hurled back the forces of England,
and made Frances future secure; William
the Silent suffered, and Henry of Navarro
sacrificed; the hosts of barbarism were met
and crushed in the dark forests of Ger
many. Inspired with this new idea Gut
tenberg gave TO the world the printing
press, which placed an argument in the
mouth of every man against the divine
right OF kings; the Bible translated
and each man given the power TO read and
interpret II for himself: gunpowder was
invented. unhOrsing the mailed marauder,
who before was equal TO a hundred in bat
tie. thus teaching each man his power and
showing the dependence of kings on the
people. Ii was this idea that i'm
PEELED John Hampton 10 refuse TO
pay the ship-mOney demanded by tyran-
nical king. and which led Oliver Cromwell
TO refuse the offer Of a crown, and when
the head of Charles the First rolled from
the block, absolute power among English
speaking people was forever at an end.
1t was the inspiration of this idea that led
Columbus across the ocean TO discover
new land, and give new home to this
new idea for its perpetual empire
For nifty years slavery ruled at the
White House. made laws in the Capitol.
wrote statutes in the legislative halls, and
dictated the policy OF the executive cham
Der. Courts OF justice were its ministers.
and legislatures were its lackeys.' II ruled
this entire Nation with despOtic sway and
with iron hand suppressed discussion
OF its institutions. II interpreted the Bible
10 support Its savage code. IL prohibited
in the free States schools for the hated
race and with hungry hounds hunted wOm-
en- who taught little children TO read.
Under the shadow of the dome of our
national Capitol droves OF slaves with
cianking chains upon their limbs were
scourged and driven TO the market. This
system, which. fortified in selfish greed.
enlisted to Its support the lowest instinct
OF man and which violated every Christian
precept. was such a damning blot on the
fair name of the Republic that IL could be
wiped out only with blood Slavery herself
FASTENED the crisis.
.Lovejoy was murdered Garrison impris-
oned. Sumner stricken down. The fugf-
tive slave law-passed by compromisers TO
appease the owners OF human flesh-a law
that put chain on the neck Of every man,
was placed upon the statute books: the
Missouri compromise was swept aside and
slavery marshaled her forces to invade the
virgin soil of the free Territories.
But a few heroic men cried out Mo-
and slavery recoiled at the first word of in
dependence spoken TO her in all her years
OF power. But she recovered from the
shock and gathered all her forces about
her not only TO preserve her own domain,
but also TO conquer an empire for her do
stripes into shreds and from the tattered
sought 10 crush the Union, and from its
tion should be the STOPPING and lacerated
backs of 100000 human beings. But
merciful God interposed. the mighty North
arose in the majesty Of freedom, 1000. 900
soldiers sprang 20 arms TO rescue the i'm
periled Republic. vindicate liberty and per-
petuate the Union. and after four years of
unparalleled conflict the flag came forth
with every star upon its folds.
MEN WHO DARED
who was IL that before the acrid smoke
Of Sumter had drifted 10 the North. seized
his nusket and hurried 10 the 6eldP Who