The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-28
One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Ami
versary of a Famous Battle in
New Jersey Celebrated.
PARADE AND spEECH-MAKING
CAPT. MOLLIE PITCHERS HEROISM
RECALLED BY WILL CARLETON.
Events of the War of Independence
and Deeds of the Colonists Re-
viewed by Mr.. Fairbanks.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.


played no small part in the one-hundred-
and-twenty-fifth anniversary celebration of
the battle of Monmouth here to-day. One
of her favored sons. United States Senator
Charles w. Fairbanks, was the orator of
the day, and paid a glowing tribute to the
| heroes of Monmouth. He was frequently
applauded during his address.
The celebration consisted of parade of
| fifteen hundred soldiers infantry and cav
airy in command Of Colonel Gilmore. Gov
ernor Murphy and Senator Fairbanks ar
rived on special train, accompanied by
| their wives and other guests. The Governor
| and Senator had thrilling experience be-
hind fractions team, which became fright
ened by the firing of the Governors salute.
| AT the Governors request they were given
another carriage. After the Governor and
party had reviewed the parade, they were
| driven to Monmouth Park, where the exer-
cises were held, consisting of an Grafton by
Senator Fairbanks; an address of welcome
| by President Morris, of the monument COM
mission, and one by Governor Murphy. The
| Governor declared immigration should be
restricted. The country was an asylum for
all, and the intelligence of the average i'm
\ migrant growing less. Those in condi-
tion to become sympathetic citizens should
be welcomed and the rest excluded.
Will Carleton, in his original poem on
the battle, made a big hit. He clever
| ly spoke of the battle incidents and de-
| clared the heroism of Capt. Molle Pitcher,
whose husband was killed while loading
| the cannon, had endeared her to all red
| haired women. The oath uttered by Gen.
| Washington on meeting Lee in retreat was
| not noted by the recording angel, as its
| godly purpose had wiped it out.
| SENATOR FAIRBANKS GRAFTON.
| Senator Fairbanks, in beginning his adj
dress, said: I'VE stand upon holy ground,
| for here was fought battle for human
| freedom one hundred and twenty-five years
| ago. Here heroic men dared all and suf-
| fered all that this country might be the
| abode of liberty. Here our intrepid fathers
| challenged the imperial power of old Eng
land. Here was sown, in the blood of pa
| triots, the seed of nascent nation. We
are assembled with hearts full of rever-
! ence and gratitude; reverence for the god
| of battles, who directed Alright the soldiers
| of the continental army. and gratitude to
| those who gave their lives into the care
| and keeping of fate that liberty might
| triumph here. We cannot realize the true
! magnitude and significance of the engage
4
| less We turn back to the period of the revo-
4 lutionary struggle"
The senator then reviewed events of
| the war of independence leading to the
| battle of Monmouth, and paid a tribute
| TO the brave patriots of New Jersey and
| Washington's army. In conclusion, he said
| Our country to-day stands in marked
| contrast with the country Of one century
and quarter ago. A mighty tranforma-
| ton has been wrought. 1t almost seems
| like the work of some strange magician.
| Where there were thousands there are to-
day millions Vast cities have arisen where
| there were unbroken forests; hamlets have
become populous municipalities, and far
reaching highways of commerce knit to-
| gether vast sections of the country then
| alien territory, undiscovered and unknown.
| The small people, contendng against great
| odds, having but slight sympathy in other
| lands, have become a puissant republic, re-
| spected and honored the most masterful
nation among the sisterhood of nations.
| 1.-THE three millions have grown to more
| than eighty millions of people. New ave-
| nues of industry have been opened and
our industrial independence has been Sc
| cured. American commerce is seeking the
| uttermost parts of the earth.
EXPANSION.
"Our territorial limits have been expand
ed and our flag is in two hemispheres, the
| visible symbol of American freedom. We
have given to liberty a definition unknown
to our fathers. They bequeathed to a
system of slavery. 1t rested upon us as a
| curse but, inspired by the sacrifice of our
fathers Of the revolution, we in good time
| wiped it away. Yes, with the priceless
blood of our youth we completely dedicated
our land to decentralization that knows
| no color. Now, all may swell the sweet
| anthem:
My country, tits of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
OF thee l sing
"Our country has expanded beyond the
| limits contemplated by those whose genius
| and courage founded il. The sphere of re-
publican influence was not to exist only
| along the Atlantic seaboard. 1t not to
be SO circumscribed. 1t was destined, in
| Gods providence, to sweep away monarch
ical forms and to extend westward to the
| Pacific. Spain and France and Mexico in
turn yielded dominion of a part of their
| territory to us, territory which constitutes
some of the richest portions of the United
| States.
1.-The events of the past few years have
| given us an increased place in the affairs
| of the world. We are in touch with other
| powers as never before. The United States
has an increased influence in the interna-
tional council chamber. Our power and
our sense of Justice are recognized. our
| diplomacy is not distrusted. We have not
established reputation for international
| intermeddling. We are not disposed to dis
turb the international peace. and we do not
seek to interfere with the domestic affairs
of other powers. The advice of the sage OF
Mount Vernon has not gone unheeded
in the affairs of the world than when
| Washington spoke, there is the same good
| reason for avoiding entangling alliances as
then.
'Our part in international affairs will be
played with impartality and absolute jus.
tice to other powers. We do not seek their
territory nor do we propose TO disturb their
institutions. We shall enter into a gener-
Gus contest with them for our share of the
worlds commerce. but this, within the
proper limits of the rights of nations. We
shall push the conquest of peace through
the genius and energy and cooperation OF
our labor and capital TO the uttermost parts
of the earth. We shall send our flag into
/ all ports OF trade, not as menace. but as
the harbinger of peace and good will.
INDUSTRIAL EVOLUTION.
'We have witnessed an evolution in our
industrial world. Old methods. old ways
are rapidly yielding to new methods and
new ways. We must deal with conditions
as they arise, without passion and with
good Judgment. 1t becomes us to deliberate
and act wisely. We should take no counsel
of the demagogue nor of the politician who
looks TO temporary advantage rather thar
10 the fundamental question of right
I'VE should seek to teach lessons of faiJ
dealing among men, TO the end that the
great forces in our upbuiding may act with
perfect justice towards each other Those
the interest of one, but in the interest OF
all.
1.-The occasion will have failed i'm the ac-
complishment of its chief purpose IL 4,
shall not NIL with a renewed determine
tion TO preserve the state. strong and un-