Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1884 — READY FOR WORK. [ARTICLE]

READY FOR WORK.

To the People of Indiana: In response to o generally express ed wish on your part, the Department of Indiana, Grand Army cMlie Republic has been ihcorporated under the laws of the State and tbe undersigned committee foraied in accordance with the artiojes of incorporation, and hereby assumes the duty of building a monumept to he lo al soldiers and sailors of Indiana, aim will at once proceed to collect moneys for that purpose. The character of the monument will depend upon the amount received. It is our desire to build it in the form of a Memorial Hall, of the most enduring materials, with appropriate statuary in bronze. The hall will be divided into compartments for trophies, company ane legimental memorials, a library for pictures aud books a-d au assembly room, wherein may be deposited anything relating to the wars in which ludiana soldiers or sailors have been engaged, and where tney may hold their meetings and reunions commemorative of their sac> riflees and the triumphs of the Nfitioa. It will be a school of patriotism, teaching that love of the couutry to the present and future generations on which the-perpetuity of our Gov eminent depends. Its silent influence and the memories which it will keep alive will make loyal y popular. Thus, this mnnumont will not only be a tribute to the men in whose honor.it will be erected, but it will be one of the bulwarks of Republican institutions In the future, and for this reason, the money which you invest iu it will rebound to your own beueflit and that of your defendants, as well as to the glory of the soldier. It will be located in a public plaoe at Indiauapoli-, the center of the State, where all the citizens of Indiana, as often as they visit the capital, can have the satisfaction of looking upon it. It will b« the people’s monument, embodying their noblest sentiments, and so placed that every part of the State may have easy access to it. Such briefly, is th« plan of the committee, but if the responses are not sufficient to enable us to carry it out, we will then use the means which have been placed at our disposal in erecting such a shaft gnd statue as will fittingly represent your generousity. In either event our services are at yonr qemmand. Contributions mav be made direet by drafts, postal money ovders or registered letters to the treasurer of the committee, Geo. W. Johnston, at

I Indi jnapolis. or to the Quartermasj ter of the local po*t of the Gr*ncT Aruv of tho Republic in your a entity. With this statement we leave the case in your hands. The success or failure of the enterprise now depends upon you, VYe do not believe that it will fail. Indiana was among the first of the States that rallied to the defense of the imperiled Union Indiana soldiers stood among the first on every battle field. For four years they were on every skirmish line. On the march, the picket, in tne fight—wherever duty called and in the hospital, tliey gave their lives to their country euduring urtold hardships and sufferings, and shedding their blood without a mar» mer or a regret. They.have made the brightest page in the history of the State and their memory is revered whenever valor is honored among : me| i- And as they were among the first in war, so now let Indiana be among the first in peace to buiid a monument to her soidicrs of such noble proportions that it will h e typ ieal of their achievements. In honoring them you honor yourselves and in building this monument to them you erect the surest fortress around your own liberties. Goo. J. Lan gsdale, James R. Carnahan, D. C. McCollum, Geo. W. Johnston, T. W. Bennett.