Speeches of Benjamin Harrison, Twenty-third President of the United StatesHarrison, Benjamin
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Speeches of Benjamin Harrison, Twenty-third President of the United States
Harrison, Benjamin
Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901; Speeches, addresses, etc., American; United States -- Politics and government
This is a monument by Indiana to Indiana soldiers. But I beg
you to remember that they were only soldiers of Indiana until the
enlistment oath was taken; that from that hour until they came back
to the generous State that had sent them forth they were soldiers of
the Union. So that it seemed to me not inappropriate that I should
bring to you to-day the sympathy and cheer of the loyal people of
all the States. No American citizen need avoid it or pass it with
unsympathetic eyes, for, my countrymen, it does not commemorate a war
of subjugation. There is not in the United States to-day a man who, if
he realizes what has occurred since the war and has opened his soul to
the sight of that which is to come, who will not feel that it is good
for all our people that victory crowned the cause which this monument
commemorates. I do seriously believe that if we can measure among the
States the benefits resulting from the preservation of the Union, the
rebellious States have the larger share. It destroyed an institution
that was their destruction. It opened the way for a commercial life
that, if they will only embrace it and face the light, means to them a
development that shall rival the best attainments of the greatest of
our States.
And now let me thank you for your pleasant greeting. I have felt
lifted up by this occasion. It seems to me that our spirits have been
borne up to meet those of the dead and glorified, and that from this
place we shall go to our homes more resolutely set in our purpose
as citizens to conserve the peace and welfare of our neighborhoods,
to hold up the dignity and honor of our free institutions, and to
see that no harm shall come to our country, whether from internal
dissensions or from the aggressions of a foreign foe. [Great cheering.]
A camp-fire was held at night at Tomlinson Hall, presided over by
Charles M. Travis, Commander of Indiana G. A. R., where an audience of
over 5,000 assembled. The orators of the occasion were Hon. Samuel B.
Voyles, of Salem; Judge Daniel Waugh, of Tipton; General Jasper Packard,
of New Albany; Col. I. N. Walker and Albert J. Beveridge, Indianapolis;
Hon. Benj. S. Parker, New Castle, and Hon. Wm. R. Myers, Anderson.
President Harrison's appearance was greeted by a prolonged
demonstration, the audience rising with one impulse. Commander Travis
said: "I told you I would treat you to a surprise. Here is your
President. He needs no introduction."
President Harrison's reply was:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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