USA > Indiana > The Indiana centennial, 1916; a record of the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of Indiana's admission to statehood > Part 28
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RESPONSE BY COLONEL AUBREY L. KUHLMAN, COM- MANDING THE REGIMENT
My Dear Governor Ralston :
It affords me a large measure of satisfaction and pleasure to respond, in my humble manner, to your eloquent words of greeting and of commendation; to thank you most sincerely for the beautiful and artistic medals commemorative of our service on "the borderland."
It is a pleasure to respond in behalf of the officers and en- listed men of this regiment, who responded to the call of the President and the Governor nearly six months ago and who were sent to our Nation's southern border to perform what- ever service they might be called upon to do.
This is an occasion, my dear Governor, which is deserving
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of a "silver tongue," an accessory with which, unfortunately, "kind nature" failed to endow me.
It is a most auspicious occasion, celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the admission of this beloved commonwealth into our grand Union of States.
It is one deserving of time and thought for preparation, neither of which I have been able to contribute, and, instead of well thought, well carved sentences, I ask you to accept the simple, impromptu words of real sincerity.
Well do I remember when you called me into your office and charged me to have a care for the health and comfort of the members of this regiment and to be kind to them. I sincerely trust that I have redeemed the pledge I gave you.
The men of this regiment were soft of muscle at the muster-in, six months ago, but this evening you behold them, seasoned soldiers.
They have made their beds in mud and water; they have slept in the companionship of scorpions, centipedes, tarantulas and venomous reptiles ; they have waded through miles of mud and water, knee-deep at places, along General Taylor's old military road which skirts the Rio Grande; they have marched many miles in sweltering sun, carrying heavy packs and equip- ment; they drank the muddy waters of the Rio Grande, only partially cleared by a natural settling process in canals lead- ing from the river; they have cleared the mesquite jungle for camp and maneuver grounds; eight companies of this regi- ment lived two weeks in a camp flooded by daily rains and with no other protection for themselves than the tiny bits of thin canvas called "shelter tents" in army papers, but "pup tents" by the soldiers; they have responded promptly and cheerfully to every demand made upon them; can you question my language when I say they are "seasoned sol- diers ?"
One of the most interesting experiences of our border serv- ice was a series of maneuvers continuing for a period of twelve days and extending from our camp at Llano Grande to Brownsville, forty-five miles distant.
It was a continuous performance; breaking camp before daybreak, getting a hurried breakfast, thrusting a sandwich into a haversack for a midday lunch, loading wagons and marching away to meet the enemy (the troops camped near
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Brownsville), in battle exercises, real battles, excepting the bullets, battles in which umpires took the place of bullets and shells, and ruled out of the contest those which, presumably, would have been felled in actual conflict; going into a new camping place late in the day, waiting for the arrival of the wagon trains to prepare a supper after nightfall and repeat- ing the program day after day.
These maneuvers culminated in several engagements on the old, historic battlefields of "Palo Alto" and "Reseca de la Palma," where General Taylor defeated the Mexican Army in two battles seventy years ago.
It was indeed an experience which will linger in memory for a lifetime.
Doubtless in this presence are those who are particularly interested in the First or Second regiments, yet in the border camp, and many of the words I have spoken of the Third regiment may be applied equally well to the other two regi- ments of the Indiana brigade.
Excepting only one day, "the Fates" decreed that I should command the entire Indiana brigade on every march and in every maneuver, the nominal brigade commander being the senior officer present with the division and, by regulations, becoming the division commander, thus leaving me automatic- ally in command of the Indiana brigade, as its senior colonel, hence I had opportunity for observing the other regiments.
We marched and maneuvered and camped together and, when they return to Indiana, you will find them to be seasoned soldiers.
It may interest you to have at least a hint of the accom- plishments of the Indiana troops, and I might suggest that, in the Infantry division at Llano Grande, consisting of three Indiana regiments, three Minnesota regiments, two Nebraska regiments and one North Dakota regiment, the published rec- ords of a period of target shooting placed the Indiana brigade at the head of the division, the Third Indiana regiment at the head of the brigade and the division, and Company "A," of this command, at the head of the regiment, the brigade and the division in average marksmanship efficiency.
In addition to this I might mention that a shooting team sent from the Indiana brigade to the national rifle and pistol competitions at Jacksonville, Florida, won more distinction
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than almost any other state or regular service team participat- ing in the competitions, winning first, second and other high places in competitions with hundreds of the best marksmen selected from a hundred millions of the American people.
In other soldieriy accomplishments I believe I am safe in saying that the Indiana troops were at least the equal of any other troops with which they were associated.
But I am forgetting brevity and must give way to more important items on this program, to distinguished citizens who will present themes appropriate to this hundredth anniversary of glorious Indiana history.
I want to assure you, my dear Governor, that we shall cherish these beautiful medals, gifts from our own beloved State, and fitting mementoes of a most interesting service for our country in the southern borderland. .
Most sincerely I thank you !
INTRODUCTION OF MR. FOULKE
Governor Ralston :
Indiana is far-famed for her scholars and statesmen. Her achievements and ability to do big things in a broad way have been made known to the uttermost parts of the earth by her publicists and poets. One of her sons distinguished for his learning, culture and progressive public spirit has most gen- erously prepared at the request of the Indiana Historical Commission, a Centennial Ode to be read as a part of the exercises of this event.
I have the honor and the pleasure to introduce to this audi- ence Hon. William Dudley Foulke.
CENTENNIAL ODE
By William Dudley Foulke. If thou wouldst fathom Indiana's heart Think not to find it in the passing crowd, The hum of industry, the bustling mart, The great assemblies' voices clamoring loud. But come with me and sit beside the board
*At some old-fashioned farmstead, watch the team Heavy with harvest, toiling through the ford Or lie within the forest shade and dream, With Riley's "Pipes of Pan" to charm and cheer- His voice grew silent on this hundredth year!
Dear State, thy homelier charms are still the best, Thy peaceful landscapes filled with joy and rest.
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From the abyss of the tumultous street, The roar of the great city and its glare, The multitude whose feverish pulses beat With evanescent hopes or wild despair, In my young manhood did I come to thee And found the balm of thy serenity. And evermore, threading thy quiet ways, Reclining by thy hesitating streams Where sheltering sycamores hid me from the blaze Of summer suns-half waking, half in dreams I did perceive thy sylvan beauty grow Into my soul until I came to know I loved thee, that thy heart had answered mine. And all the more now that my days decline, Thy spirit broods upon me. Not the sea Nor the unutterable majesty
Of Alpine peak nor the white foam and spray Of glittering cataract can so win their way Into my heart. I have dwelt with thee too long To love another while thy beech trees bend Their lowly limbs to greet me as a friend And take from me the tribute of a song.
Lo! now there stands within my spirits' eye A tree I know, perfect in every part; I fling to it the homage of my heart And bow in salutation as I cry!
"You are a young Apollo of the wildwood, "The breezes rustle and you bend your bow, "Your foliage dances like the feet of childhood, "And quivering sunbeams through your branches glow. "You sway and revel in the pride of being "Then stand erect, complete in form and hue "And I who gaze, enraptured with the seeing- "O could I make a song as fair as you!"
And yet I must not, in the joy of singing Forget the weightier message I would bear. A solemn warning in my ears is ringing And dark forebodings fill my heart with care.
Back through the paths of history let us stray To see what dangers now beset our way. A hundred years with fluttering wings have flown Since underneath the elm at Corydon In homespun garb our farmer pioneers Fashioned our State to face the coming years. A wilderness the spot where now we meet, And where the multitude with bustling feet Are hurrying past, there lay the silent track Trod by the stealthy savage or the pack
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Of ravening wolves and on the slimy green Of the still marsh, gaunt fever stalked unseen. And then a race of freemen, simple, strong, Bearing the implements that settlers need, The rifle, ax and plow, began a long, Hard struggle, felled the forest, sowed the seed And planted in the wilderness, the state Whose prosperous fruitage now we celebrate. Roll back the years my soul, and let us stand In the first furrows of the new tilled land And think the things the adventurous settler thought And learn again the lesson he was taught. He knew not, as we know, the steed of steam, The exploding vapor and the electric stream, Nor with them scoured the earth, explored the sea, Or soared through heaven's wide immensity ; But each man bore his rifle primed and bright, Ready for instant use in sudden fight, And better knew-(for many a pioneer Who trod the wild and built his cabin here Had battled in the war that made us free) - Far better knew the worth of liberty. He saw far clearer than we see today That freedom's gracious presence will not stay With those who care not for her to give all, Life, kindred, hope and fortune at her call! Nay, just before the founding of our State Our country had thrown down the gage to fate, Defied the British empire to the test Of arms because our sailors she impressed And searched our ships. Would we do that today? Has something of our courage slipped away?
What has the century brought us? Plenteous stores, Bountiful harvests carried from our doors, Fair cities, stately piles and busy marts, The factory's whirring wheels and shuttles loud, And ample farms, wide lawns and mansions proud, And learning's gifts of science and the arts. But shall we measure by the glint of old The treasures that these hundred years enfold? Have we as high an aim, as strong a heart, Are we resolved to play as brave a part As those who framed the fabric of our State To liberty and honor dedicate,
Or are we strolling now in softer ways On gentler paths in more degenerate days? Would we not fain recoil from care and strife And live in ease a smooth and prosperous life?
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Perchance our fulness on its cushioned throne In golden chalice holds a deadlier bane Than bitter hardship in its cup of stone Filled to the brim with toil and tears and pain. For that is evil which corrupts the soul And lulls to slothful sleep and smug content While all around, the war drums beat and roll And other lands by grievous strife are rent.
This hundredth year dawned on a raging world- A world submerged beneath a sea of blood With shafts of fury from the heavens hurled, And we-an island girdled by the flood Which still doth rise and still doth draw more near. We hear the cries of universal woe And cheeks are wet with rain of many a tear. How close the eddies of destruction flow! Let us be wise in time and raise a dike That shall be high and strong to stay the tide; Quick! Let us arm ere the invader strike And fill the land with devastation wide Thus only may we keep our country free And guard for all mankind sweet liberty.
From Runnymede to Yorktown, toilsome, slow, Freedom was wrested from the clutch of kings And forth among the nations did she go Scattering wide her boon of better things. New life upon the icy plain was spread The spring had broke on an Arctic night, Hope smiled upon the disinherited, And everywhere the world moved on to light. But from the lair where slept the power of arms There crawls once more the grim philosophy That might alone is right, though liberty Must perish in the clash of wars alarms. We too shall lose our birthright if she fall And every race become some conquerer's thrall.
We will not have it so. And yet to stay The invader's steps we too may have to bare The glittering sword and stand and bar his way. Awaken then my country! Rise. Prepare! We call on thee by every sacred name That shines from out the annals of thy past, Train all thy sons to keep thee from the shame That would enslave the world in thralldom vast. For we must still be worthy of our sires, And with stout hearts must guard the treasure well They left us and keep bright the holy fires They lighted from this stifling smoke of hell.
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In days that are to come the world may find Some better way than war. A mightier state To liberty and order consecrate May spread its aegis over all mankind. Our federated nation points the way- The State and then the Union. Deep our love For Indiana yet it should not stay Confined within her boundaries-for above, The nation claims our first allegiance; far Deeper than homage to a single star Our reverence for the constellation bright That sheds on all the world fair freedom's light. The brightest lines in Indiana's story Are those that proudly tell How swift her sons, when duty called-not glory- Leaped forth to battle, and how hard and well They fought, till victory came. I see our great War Governor, epic figure of our State, Sending them forth and greeting their return And all the pulses of my being burn At the proud memory. Not for thy sake, O Indiana did thy children make Their offerings of fortune and of life, And risk their all in the uncertain strife, But for the Union and for liberty ! And so among the nations may it be, The future holdeth higher things in store Than those our halting fancy may explore. On some bright day the slow advancing hours May bring the world a league of sovereign powers Wherein the rights of single nations bend To the just will of all, and the decrees Of some great world tribunal are the end Of wasteful war's superfluous cruelties. My country, lead thou in these paths of peace! But till that hour shall come let not soft ease Relax thy spirit or subdue thy soul! Until mankind shall reach this loftier goal
Keep thou thy sword unsheathed, for thou dost hold Within thy fruitful body precious seed Which shall into a newer life unfold And save the world in its extremest need.
Two lessons have been thine to teach mankind Freedom, then Union! Send thy heralds forth Bearing thy later message till thou find Peace, born of Union spread through all the earth.
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CENTENNIAL ADDRESS
Governor Ralston :
Ladies and Gentlemen-No man has been more ably sym- pathetic and more willing to help with the work of the In- diana Historical Commission than Dr. James A. Woodburn. The work of this body has extended over more than a year, and the things it has accomplished toward arousing a historic consciousness in the people of Indiana, and in securing a proper recognition of the wonderful advancement they have made in their state's first one hundred years, are too numer- ous to mention at this time. I shall be surprised, if when they are properly catalogued and published, they do not amaze as well as profoundly impress you.
Dr. Woodburn is at the head of the History Department of Indiana University and his recognized ability as a historian qualifies him and makes him a most fit man to discuss on this occasion the "Foundations of the Commonwealth."
I present to you Dr. Woodburn.
THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
By James A. Woodburn
My theme tonight is the Commonwealth of Indiana and the foundations on which it rests.
I shall not speak of the land and its material wealth. Our State is more than the soil upon which her people tread. or the rivers within her bounds, or the wealth within her fac- tories and mines, or the cattle upon her thousand hills. I would not despise the physical basis of life, either for the man or for the Commonwealth. For our goodly heritage of material wealth in soil and stream and forest and mine, we may well rejoice. It has made possible the progress and achievement of a hundred years in the life of the State whose birth we celebrate.
Nor shall I speak at length of the people, whence they came, how they lived or what manner of men and women they were. They have come here at many times from many races and climes, filling the land, doubling its population every fifteen or twenty years in ways to dazzle the world. The French civilization that had touched our rivers and trading posts was to become only a name and a lingering reminiscence.
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The migration of other heterogeneous nationalities and tongues as seen in the modern industrial life in certain parts of our State, is a recent development. But the historic In- diana that we know, to which our minds go back tonight was, for the most part, made up of a homogeneous people speaking the same language, of the same general religious faith, cher- ishing the same historical and political traditions, living in an equality of fortune or misfortune-a hardy, thrifty people used to toil and enterprise and self-reliance.
Some of the men who came for the upbuilding of the State were, in part, the men of the Revolution. For the larger part, they were the sons of the Revolution who had come into this wilderness land to carry their civilization and to erect a State under whose protecting care they might better provide for their children and might themselves enjoy the blessings of freedom, manhood and homes. No dangers affrighted them, no difficulties withstood them; and in defense of their liberties and their homes they were ready to encounter death un- daunted, always imbued with that patriot spirit that leads one to feel that he "can never die too soon who lays down his life in support of the laws and liberties of his country."
Here were the elements of the State-the land, the people, the language, the same historical traditions, oneness of polit- ical ideas and habits, with the record of a struggle for civil liberty as old as the Anglo-Saxon race. This civil life in the wilderness was not unlike that in the early Plantations of America. Settlements were in isolation. Self-government was a necessity. They brought what we should call the habit, rather than the principle, of local self-government. They could not well take appeals in government to authorities that were leagues away through the forests. The people in the western settlements were thrown upon their own resources. Roads had to be made, schools established, taxes levied and collected, preaching maintained, lawlessness restrained, a liv- ing wrought from the soil, and the young men had to be trained in the use of the rifle for defense against the wild men and the wild beasts of the forests. All the means to be found by which a neighborhood community might live.
But the Commonwealth is much more than a matter of physical and political geography-more than a rectangular piece of land and its inhabitants. A people lives by faith.
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Faith is the substance of things hoped for and what a people attains depends upon what it believes. Its foundations, its essence, its substance are in its ideals-a truth that needs repeating and re-repeating on every memorial occasion, lest we forget the fundamental truth that makes us free. When one of our prophets, James Russell Lowell, once was asked how long he thought the American Republic would live he replied, "As long as its people are true to the ideals of its founders." The founders of Indiana were like the men of '76 -they built their Commonwealth upon their ideals. They had here a part of an unexplored and unsettled continent, with a brave and enterprising people within its dwellings. But the land and another brave people were here before our fathers came. Land and human beings, I repeat, are not the corner stones for the founding and upbuilding of the State. The land may be denuded, the people may be deported, they may be reduced to bondage in a foreign land compelled to forge like implements of war that led to their own conquest and enslavement; but if there is a saving remnant anywhere cherishing their past, their standards and their ideals, their State will survive.
There was a Commonwealth of old whose experience will illustrate this vital force in the life of a nation. This people had lost its land; its capital, the Holy City, had been looted and destroyed. The last of its kings reigning at Jerusalem was taken prisoner, his children were butchered before his eyes; all the captive nobles were executed; and the king was taken in chains to Babylon, his eyes were put out and he was left to die a miserable death within his darkened prison house.
The very people themselves were gone, carried to Babylon, an exiled captive band, where, under the taunts of their con- querers refusing to sing their patriot songs they hung their harps upon the willow trees and sat down by Babel's streams and wept. From every human point of view they had wit- nessed the end of the Jewish Commonwealth, the end of land and people. But in that dark hour of adversity they remem- bered their past and there came from one of their prophets that wonderful patriot vow of devotion, "O Jerusalem! if I do not prefer thee above my chief joy-if I forget thee, let my right hand forget her skill, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth."
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There was a power outside themselves which made for righteousness ; or, allow me to call it, an ideal-God immanent -- which saved their nation in its day of trial and afterwards brought back the people to the land rejoicing in laughter and song. On the power of that ideal, patriotic and religious, they had their foundations, and the saving remnant of the people, though they wept in defeat and exile in a foreign land, while they had before them the visions of the past, proved themselves immortal. How came they to know so well the story of their past and God's dealings with their people at sundry times and in divers places? Into the knowledge of that past the fathers had led their children from generation to generation. They had established their passover, their feasts, their Sabbaths and their years of jubilee; and they built their memorials as signs among them for future ages, so that when the children should say to the fathers, what mean these stones ?- then the struggles and sacrifices and faith in which the State had its foundations were brought to mind in these memorials forever.
Such a nation is an example to the ages. The same vital truth is illustrated in the history of every great nation. No people can be great; indeed, no people can live, without rever- ence for its past, or without a past which it cares to remember. A people without memorials shall surely die. We sit under the shadow of a noble monument erected to commemorate great sacrifices and deeds in war. Instinctively we think of Lincoln's words at Gettysburgh dedicating "a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that the nation might live." But we may well believe that those heroes of our Civil War responded to duty no more promptly nor nobly in those days of '61 than did these young souls of Indiana who have just returned from their soldier life upon the Mexican border. As we note the soldierly. bear- ing of these young men and look into their bronzed faces and hear the modest and soldierly words of their Colonel, we are made to believe that the patriot spirit of the other days of their country's need has indeed passed from sire to son. They are ready for their duty. So long as these boys recall the memorial stones erected on their country's fields of sacri- fice and war we may be sure they will never surrender the life of the nation that their fathers died to save. It is in
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this faith that Pericles speaks in his famous oration over the Athenian dead. There he nobly asserts: "When men have shown themselves brave by deeds, their honors should also be displayed by deeds. For while collectively these heroes gave their lives, individually they should receive that renown which never grows old; let them rest in the most distinguished of tombs, not so much that in which they are laid, as that in which their glory is left behind them for ever- lasting record. For of illustrious men the whole earth is the sepulcher; and not only does the inscription upon columns in their own land point it out, but in that also which is not their own there dwells with every one an unwritten memorial of the heart, rather than of a material monument."
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