USA > Indiana > The Indiana centennial, 1916; a record of the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of Indiana's admission to statehood > Part 10
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
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HARRISON
Boasting the cradle of Indiana statehood, no county had greater inspiration for a proper observance of the Centennial, and no county justified itself more thoroughly than did Har- rison. Old Corydon, with its tender memories and associa- tions clustering around the old court house, the Constitutional Elm and other historic spots, was the object of pilgrimage from all over the State and beyond. To visit this shrine of patriotism, was to strike the note of sentiment, of love, of veneration, without which patriotism must be an empty thing of words.
Be it said and re-echoed to the credit of Harrison County, and Corydon in particular, that her citizens did not rely on his- torical atmosphere alone to put them on the Centennial map of Indiana. They "hustled history." They showed them- selves to be keenly alive to the greater responsibility resting upon them because of the historical associations which clus- tered about them, and manifested a convincing demonstration of twentieth century energy and enthusiasm in observing a nineteenth century anniversary. Led by Thos. J. Wilson, County Chairman, and Lew M. O'Bannon, member of the State Commission, and supported by a loyal group of earnest citizens, the Harrison County celebration could not have been less the success it was.
The county had two great possibilities and realized them both. On the one hand, in its inclusiveness and significance, its celebration was essentially a state celebration. On the other, nestling semi-remotely among the hills of the Ohio, in its execution, its observance was necessarily a community effort. And thus it was-a neighborly, intelligent and patri- otic people, uniting in the glorification of their own past, which was the past of their commonwealth.
In October of 1915, the Historical Commission journeyed to Corydon where it met in business session and rendezvoused with the citizenry of the old capitol. Public meetings were held reverberating with patriotic flights. Visits were made to points of historic interest. Visitor and visited mingled to- gether in hospitable homes and fellowshipped at the banquet board. All of which was presumed to give encouragement and impetus to Harrison county to live up to its past in the good year of 1916. This purpose was doubtless realized. But
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FRIEDLEY
DID CARITO
The Capitol at Corydon-the Birthplace of the Constitution
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it is just as true that this pilgrimage toned up the Commis- sion, historically speaking, imparting to it a new enduement of the Centennial spirit and rendering it more capable of supervising the patriotic activities of the coming year.
As a means of democratizing the movement in Harrison County and giving as many as possible a part in it, the "Old Capitol Centennial Association" was formed, with a nominal membership fee prescribed. Citizens of Corydon went out over the county in autos, speaking to the people and enlisting their cooperation. The county chairman visited different parts of the county, making addresses and arousing interest in the cause. The county was thus thoroughly organized with Centennial committees in each township.
Contributing toward the same end was the work in the schools. County Superintendent A. O. DeWeese proclaimed February 4th as the day on which celebration exercises should be held in every school district, encouraging patrons to ac- company the children, all spending the day together in festal, patriotic observance.
The state celebration at Corydon took place June 2nd and 3rd, when Indiana journeyed southward to its Mecca. Two days could not have been more crowded with patriotic ob- servance and the manifestation of southern hospitality. The State was officially represented by Governor Ralston and the State Commission, he and other members being accompanied by their wives, all being entertained in the homes of Corydon. Governor and Mrs. Ralston were royally received on their arrival. The "Yellow Jackets," Captain Spier Spencer's com- pany of soldiers who fought the Indians at Tippecanoe in 1811, and who were to repeat the performance on the follow- ing day, escorted the Governor and his party into town amid the huzzas of citizens. Leading the way in this procession were the six women on horseback who were to represent in the pageant, America, and Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, the five States formed from the Northwest Territory.
On both forenoons the assembled thousands were favored with patriotic drills and symbolic dances by school children. The Corydon schools drilled on both days. On Friday, fifty pupils from the Jeffersonville schools, led by Miss Lena Board, put on some beautiful drills and pantomime representations,
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among the latter being "Indiana's Hope," "A Century of Posies," "The Call of the West," "Pastoral Rhythms," "The Pioneer's Farewell," "Woodland Nymphs." On Saturday morning Evansville school children appeared on the scene, five hundred strong, accompanied by their High School Band and before an immense crowd at the fair grounds, presented a wonderfully attractive array of drills and folk dances, di- rected by Prof. Julius Doerter.
The Corydon celebration did not lack good and appropri- ate music. The Indiana University Orchestra was an in- valuable accompaniment to the pageant, reproducing much of the music which was heard in the Bloomington pageant two weeks previously. The Purdue University Band was present, intersticing patriotic airs through the various exer- cises. On Friday night an appropriate concert was given by the Corydon Choral Club, in which the Purdue Band assisted
A pretty feature of the Friday morning program was the vast pilgrimage from the Public Square to the Constitutional Elm, filling the streets their full width all the way. A brief, impressive program, consisting of the singing of "Indiana" by grade pupils of the Corydon schools, led by Miss Clara Bennett, and of a brief address by Congressman Merrill Moores, was rendered under the magnificent historic trec. From the elm, the march was taken back to the Square where a Centennial Elm was planted with appropriate ceremony. Judge William Ridley made an address to which Governor Ralston responded, the latter then planting the tree.
Being held so near the Mason and Dixon line, the Corydon celebration just naturally couldn't get along without a plethora of eloquence. In order to get all the oratory in, or out, some of it had to be released during the pageant. But they were good speeches. On Friday, Congressman Merrill Moores, whose grandfather was treasurer of the State in the days of its beginnings, gave a carefully prepared historical address on "Indiana in 1816." Father John Cavanaugh, President of Notre Dame University and a member of the Commission, spoke on "What Constitutes a State." The sub- ject of the Governor's address was the talismanic "1916." On Saturday, Frank C. Dailey spoke on "Indiana's Literary Achievements," and former Vice-President Charles W. Fair- banks on "Indiana Among the Sisterhood of States."
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"1916"
By Governor Samuel M. Ralston
Enshrined in the hearts of every people is some place- some loved or sacred spot-to which they journey for inspira- tion, courage and renewed faith. The Jews make their pil- grimage to Jerusalem-their promised land. The Moham- medans return to Mecca; the Greek scholars visit the Acro- polis at Athens and recall the triumphs of their state; the Italians seek out St. Peter's and revel in its glories of art and architecture and the former power of Rome; and the Americans turn their faces and footsteps to Mt. Vernon and Monticello, where they reconsecrate themselves to the ideals of Americanism.
A HOOSIER SHRINE
It is therefore fitting that Hoosiers in this, the Centennial Year of their State, should come to Corydon, Indiana's first capital, to recall something of the state's history-something of the sacrifices of the Pioneer Fathers and to strengthen their love of and devotion to those principles of free govern- ment that were here so ably enunciated in the state's first chart of liberty, the Constitution of 1816. The Hoosier who cannot be here on this occasion, should at least follow the example of the Moslem who, at sunrise, turns his face toward Mecca for religious inspiration, and turn his eyes and mind hither in contemplation of what was here wrought for his State and posterity.
A TRIBUTE TO JENNINGS
I cannot, of course, in the brief moments alloted me, pay tribute by name to each of our pioneer statesmen, whose pub- lic services rendered here add luster to the subject assigned me-1916. I am not forgetful of the fact, however, that many of the advantages enjoyed by our State today are di- rectly traceable to the work wrought here. Nor do I forget that it was at this shrine of Hoosier liberty, where Jonathan Jennings, the first Governor of Indiana, my first great prede- cessor in office, served the people of our State, in the first years of her youth, with signal devotion and wisdom. While yet a young man, he was one of the statesmen philosophers
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whose guiding genius as president of the Constitutional Con- vention under the historic elm gave form and substance to the constitution here adopted. He was born and educated in the State of New Jersey. In his early manhood he cast his fortunes with the people of Indiana Territory, and it is not hard to understand why he was a successful leader of men when his conceptions and ideals of life are understood. In common with all men of a practical turn of mind he knew the indispensable place held in society by material things. He did not underrate the advantages of his state's and country's material resources, such as their land and their rivers, their forests and their mines; but he recognized that these min- istered almost wholly to the physical man, and that beyond them-far transcending as factors in civilization-were heart attributes and ethical principles indispensable to the highest type of civilization, and upon which civil liberty itself de- pends. That I have thus correctly characterized him is made clear by a brief excerpt from his first message to the first legislature of Indiana. He said:
"Under every free government the happiness of the citizens must be identified with their morals; and while a constitutional exercise of their rights shall con- tinue to have its weight in the discharge of the duties required of the constitutional authorities of the State, too much attention cannot be bestowed to the encour- agement and promotion of every moral virtue, and to the enactment of laws calculated to restrain the vicious and prescribe punishment for every crime commensur- ate to its enormity."
After a hundred years' experience, I believe all those in- terested in the peace and dignity and perpetuity of our com- monwealth subscribe to the philosophy of their first Hoosier Governor -- that the happiness of the people of the State de- pends upon the morals of the State and that if the morals of a commonwealth are cast to the winds, it necessarily destroys the pillars upon which her institutions have been reared.
THIE LAW OF COMPENSATION
In prescribing punishment, though our pioneer statesmen did it on humane lines, they did it in full recognition of the
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inflexible rule of compensation; that is to say, in some way or other, the wrongdoer pays either in a lesser or a greater measure for his wrongful act. If not in dollars and cents or in deprivation of liberty, he does so in the deterioration of his moral fibre. And however much we may modify physical punishment, however much we may repudiate the thought or theory of vindictive justice, we cannot, and we should not, attempt to ignore the natural and inevitable law of compen- sation. That law has its proper place in the regulation and reformation of all human affairs.
WILL NOT DISCUSS COMMERCIALISM
I decline to talk today about the physical aspects of Hoos- erdom, either in 1816 or 1916. I decline to talk today either of the log cabin of 1816 or of the palace of 1916 in Hoosier- dom. I decline to talk today about the limited transportation facilities of 1816, or of the unparalleled transportation facili- ties of 1916 in Hoosierdom. I decline to talk today of the commercial and industrial institutions of 1816 or 1916 in Hoosierdom. While all these things are patent, and are es- sentials of society, they are also the common things of society, and can well be omitted from consideration by those who are congregated at this shrine of citizenship-at this altar of a home-coming, to vie with one another in honoring the mem- ory of the pioneers of their State, and to pledge themselves anew to the fundamental things-to the things that make for character building and true welfare for themselves and their posterity.
VALUE OF HOME LIFE
If I were asked to single out the dominant thought of 1916 in Hoosierdom, I would not hesitate to say it is home building, and home life. The people's best efforts and highest aspirations are put forth to make the home more secure in its purity and its comforts. It is not only the family's castle across whose threshold the highest official may not pass un- bidden, but it is the safeguard of a sane civilization. In it are cultivated the sturdy virtues of honor and loyalty-of vigor and gentility.
We can well honor the pioneers who here wrought for us, for they were not mistaken in their conception of home and
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the important relation it sustains to society. Every com- munity has its unfortunate class-those who, often without fault on their part, are without homes. The pioneers that here legislated for their State were most familiar with human experiences, and in so far as they could, they sought to put it in the power of every citizen, however unfortunate, to have a home, without loss of self-respect.
By the constitution here adopted it was made the duty of the legislature to provide sufficient land whereon those per- sons who, by reason of age, infirmity or other misfortunes have a claim upon society, might have employment and proper comfort, and, in the phraseology of the constitution, "lose by their usefulness the degrading sense of dependence." Though it be a public institution where shelter and food and clothes are provided, yet if those who are the recipients thereof, have the opportunity through their labor and industry to contribute to the maintenance of the institution, they naturally attach themselves to it as though it were in truth and in fact their home, and they stand ready to defend it as such. This keeps burning in them the spirit of citizenship and gives them a better and more wholesome view of life. The year 1916 shares this idea of the fathers-the important factor, home, is in the life of every individual.
HOMES FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Some years ago our State sought, through its Board of State Charities, to make this idea workable in the case of de- pendent children. The legislature of 1897 charged this Board with the responsibility of securing private homes for this class of children. The legislature believed, as you and I be- lieve, that it makes no difference how ideal the public institu- tion may be, it does not secure for children the advantages of a home. That child is an object of pity which does not have these advantages, and the Board of State Charities has been most vigilant in maintaining a watchful care over the homeless children of the commonwealth. Since 1897 it has placed in homes 3,434 children. Before anyone of this unfortunate class is allowed to take his place in a home as a member thereof, the home and its surroundings are most thor- oughly inspected. Ninety-six per cent of those put in such homes have made good; and those who have had this great
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social work in hand are saving this army of children to good citizenship; and they are also saving the taxpayers of the state from having to provide public homes therefor at an an- nual cost of more than $400,000. The year 1916 is hon- oring itself by this work, and cheerfully acknowledges that it caught the spirit therefor from the Pioneer Fathers. All our benevolent and reformatory institutions are managed from the humane and self-respecting viewpoint and to dis- courage the pauper spirit.
AN EDUCATED CITIZENSHIP
Those who builded here our first constitution believed in an educated citizenship, and they sought to secure it by pro- viding for a system of schools beginning with the township and culminating in a state university, stipulating that the education provided for therein shall be free. Pioneer citizens did not receive much, if any, advantage from this wholesome constitutional provision. A system of education necessarily has to be thought out with great care. It requires trained talent, much experience and public cooperation. The diffi- culties the pioneers encountered in making a living for them- selves and families left them but little time to put an educa- tional system into operation; besides, the free school system at that time was not without opposition-I might say most stubborn opposition. And it was greatly to the credit of those pioneering the development of our State, that by the time a third of a century had passed in the life of Indiana they had suceeded in constructing what was in truth and in fact a fine free school system.
It is instructive as well as interesting to consider the work done in that period of our state's history by our educational institutions, in comparison with what these institutions are doing for the public in 1916. The lack of funds with which to carry on educational work was until recent years a serious problem. Not until very recently was there ample provisions made to carry forward on a proper basis the work of our three state educational institutions, Indiana University, Pur- due University, and the State Normal School. The year 1916 is therefore enjoying greater educational advantages and facilities than has any previous year in the brilliant history of our beloved State.
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VOCATIONAL EDUCATION NEEDED
I have said in substance on a former occasion that one of the tragedies of this nation -and Indiana has had her part in it-has been the turning of boys and girls out of school without proper qualifications on the part of the vast majority of them to do their life work. A comparatively few of them were taught learnedly how to deal with Greek roots, but the tragedy lies in the fact that the great majority of them will have to deal in the practical affairs of life- with beet roots, and corn roots and wheat roots and a hundred other roots, on the flower and fruit of which the world must subsist; and about these the public teachers and schools until recent years taught them nothing. Teachers and schools until recently taught them nothing of the plane and the mill; nothing of the forge and the factory. Coordination of hand and mind has until recently been neglected.
And so 1916 is standing, not alone for a so-called higher or literary education, but also for a practical, that is a voca- tional education. Nineteen hundred and sixteen believes in a ripe scholarship, but it has common sense enough to know that the great majority of mankind will always remain hew- ers of wood and drawers of water, and for these, 1916 main- tains there should be provided a practical education.
WHAT THE CENTENNIAL YEAR DEMANDS
Nineteen hundred and sixteen maintains that the public is more interested in having the boy equipped for the farm or factory, than it is in having him prepared to operate on Wall street. Nineteen hundred and sixteen maintains, that domestic science serves society to a better purpose than does either the science of the stars, or the thin polish of the finish- ing school. Nineteen hundred and sixteen insists that the kitchen is more of a factor in the family life than it is possible for the observatory to be, and this is not saying anything against the observatory. It is the belief of 1916 that the phil- osopher, "who sitteth on the circle of the heavens" does not contribute, in the same degree, to the public welfare as does the man who develops a fine farm, or a great industry in a manner calculated to dignify labor and humanize capi- tal. Nineteen hundred and sixteen is taking a stronger stand on the side of the little "Davids" with their flocks of goats and sheep, and while it would not do injustice to the
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ambitious "Jonathans" thirsting for power, it would have the latter not to forget the doctrine of the Elder Brother-not to forget that both are from the same source and fated for the same destiny.
TIIE INDIANA CENTENNIAL
In my message to the legislature of 1915 I asked for an appropriation that would enable the State to celebrate, in 1916, the hundredth anniversary of the admission of Indiana into the Union. I asked for it because of the marvelous his- tory of our State. I asked for it because our people love their State. I asked for it because they are proud of her achievements along every line that causes a people to be rec- ognized as great-great in material progress and greater still in moral and intellectual development. I asked for it because of its educative benefit and the spirit such an event would arouse among our people; and I asked for it because not to have done so would have, in my judgment, shown a lack of patriotism on my part.
The appropriation was made. It was but $25,000, yet it has enabled the Indiana Historical Commission created by that legislature and charged with this duty, to carry forward its work, not on a broad scale, but the Commission hopes in a satisfactory manner to the people under all the circum- stances. As the work of the Commission has progressed the interest of the people in every section of the State has be- come aroused in the historic event. They are studying as never before the history of this young republic, and as a re- sult their vision has been extended and they will enter upon the second century of their statehood a wiser, a better and a more masterful people.
STATE PRIDE
No people can feel the enthusiasm and possess the passion and pride the normal man and the normal woman feel in the history of their State, without becoming strengthened as a community and equipped for greater tasks in the future. Richly indeed has heaven smiled upon this community. It is one of the shrines of human liberty. Those who wrought here for civil government brought to you an inheritance more valuable than all the wealth of Golconda. If it were in the power of Harrison County to deprive herself of the distinc-
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tion of being the home wherein Indiana's statehood was born, she would not surrender that distinction for the wealth of the State. There are some things in this life, thank God, the value of which cannot be estimated in dollars and cents or in glittering jewels!
As I stand here before you, my countrymen, on this, one of the proudest days of my life, it is not hard for me to imagine I hear the voices of a hundred years ago, on this sacred spot, opposing human servitude and advocating the equality of man. It is not hard for me to imagine that I hear them resolving to erect a State eternally dedicated to liberty, wherein men may do justly and love mercy, and walk humbly before their God. No, not for the wealth of the nation would Harrison county and her citizenship surrender the ideals here suggested in the birth of our State.
Here was born the 19th child of the American Republic. It was then a frontier State, a child of the forest whose life was constantly menaced by the tomahawk and the firebrand. But today, geographically, materially and intellectually, she is the very heart of the nation. I indulge not in fulsome praise when I say her writers, her educators, her scientists and her statesmen walk the imperial highways of the thought and culture of the world.
INDIANA'S DEVOTION TO AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS
Never before in her history was Indiana prouder of the place she holds in the galaxy of American States than is she in this, her Centennial Year, 1916. Never before in her his- tory was she stronger in her devotion to the institutions of our common country, and in her love of the flag of the nation -a flag that symbolizes the finest aspirations and the high- est hopes of the American people. In this good year of her Centennial anniversary she hails that banner as representa- tive of faith, brotherhood, liberty and justice-true children of the American republic, purchased by the blood of patriots and for all time civilization's imperishable jewels. She loves the flag because it is an inspiration to the American citizen and a light to the world. She loves it because it is higher today than ever before in the face of the world, seeking to lead the nations of the earth to peace-a peace that shall en- dure with time. The citizen understanding its significance
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