The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-07-04
INTRODUCTORY
SPEECH LAUDS
Gen. PERSH|NG
Presence of Commander at
Ceremonies Is Called
Especially Fitting.

Gen. John j. PerShing was intro
6lEed by Brig. Gen. Dwight E. Ault-
tlAn, Ft. Benjamin Harrison, to be-
tween $4,000 and 10000 persons who
gathered on Michigan ST., between
Meridian and Pennsylvania, Mon
day morning to witness the laying
of the corner stone of the war me-
mortal central shrine.
Aultman's Introductory speech
follows:
mfr. Chairman, fellow citizens,
fellow Legionnaires and friends:
This is mem orable day for the
State of Indiana and the city of
Indianapolis. 1t is memorable day
for the American Legion and its
national headquarters.
Sacrifices COnsecrated
1T is peculiarly fitting that, upon
the anniversary of the Declaration
of independence, we should here
lay the corner stone of the stately
edifice to commemorate and conSe-
crate the sacrifice of those sons of
Indiana who laid down their lives in
the World War in the same cause
of liberty and human rights for
which our forefathers fought and
suffered during the birth of our
Nation.
1.-THE patriots of the Revolution
struggled to the end that there
might be on this earth one country
in which the inalienable rights of
man would be, established.
'Those who made the supreme
sacrifice in the great holocaust of
the World War struggled to the
end that those rights should be
maintained and extended in the in
terest of universal peace and hap
piness.
Inspiration Made Complete
"And, in order that the inspira-
ton of the occasion may be COM
plete, that it may be transmitted to
coming generations, after all those
who lived and participated in that
titanic struggle have passed to the
great beyond, that love of country,
love of liberty and the spirit of
sacrifice for the preservation of our
ideals may not die, but may carry
on as the guiding motives of our
national life, it is even more fitting
that the solemnity of the occasion
should be increased by the presence
Of the great figure of that mo-
mentous period of our national ex-
istence, that the youth of the future,
when they in the coming years
stand before this magnificent me-
mortal, shall say, "Ee stood here,
he was present when this monu-
ment was erected" and go away i'm
pressed and inspired with greater
love of the country that we be-
queath to them and of its institu-
tionS.
He is here. The great commander
who led our legions across the sea
to victory is present among us. He
has come to us at a personal sacri-
flee, responding to the call of duty
ever has inspired him. Without him
the ceremony, of laying this corner
stone would be incomplete.
Deeds Part of History
I'm presenting him, any eulogy on
my part would be superhuouS, for
he is a national figure and his name
is a. household word His deeds are
a part : of our history and will BE
handed down through the ages until
time shall be no more and the
memory Of human deeds forgotten.
"You know him, and to hear his
words today will not only make this
occasion more impressive, but will
give to each Of us memory and an
inspiration that long will remain to
urge us to higher thoughts and
better deeds.
Il take great pleasure in present
ing to you the man who led our
troops to victory in the World War,
the Commander in Chief of the
American Expeditionary Forces in
France, and the General of the
Armies of the United States, Gen.
John J. Pcrsling"