Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1895 — BIG AND BROAD PLANS [ARTICLE]

BIG AND BROAD PLANS

HON. ELI MARVIN’S IDEA OF INDIANA’S CENTENNIAL. The Greatest Opportunity For an Exhibition of State Pride—Views Regarding the Great Project by Hon. O. T. Doxey and Commissioner Jackson. “The opportunity afforded by the act of the last legislature in creating a commission to devise plans for the proper observance of the one hundredth anniversary of the formation of Indiana into a territory cannot be overestimated,” says Hon. Eli Marvin of Frankfort, one of the Indiana Centennial commissioners. “It is not unreasonable to assume that the people of the state do not wish it to pass by without due recognition. Indiana has resources of such variety and in such limitless quantity that her people need not be ashamed to exhibit them—neither are they ashamed to do so. What ha, been accomplished in a hundred years should fill every citizen with pride of the past and give zeal and enthusiasm for the future. Au exposition should be held that would place before the world the history and development of onr state—and while it should be distinctively Hoosier, in my opinion it ought to be lug enough and broad enough in its character, as it certainly would be attractive enough in its exhibits, to deserve and command the attention and patronage of a large per cent of the more densely populated section of our mid-continent. The name Hoosier, while doubtless originally given in derision, lias been refined aud purified by the consecrations and sacrifices, both in war aud peace, of those to whom it applied, until it is no longer used as a reproach, but rather as a synonym for broad-mindedness, liberality, push, energy—in short, all that goes to make up a people who lead, not follow, in au advanced civilization. Indiana, the Hoosier state, is today the best evidence of this: In agriculture, her farms are the very ‘garden spots’ of the world, while her mines, foundries, manufactories, railroads and varied industnes.make a combination for wealthproducing that is great aud is growing greater every year. In the fields of

statesmanship, literature and education, there is, as leaders, an array ‘of honorable men aud women not a few,’ while the magnificent and substantial public school system that reaches to the threshhold of the humblest citizen and the numerous colleges and universities that give opportunity for higher training, are undoubted assurances that intelligence and progressiveness are to be leading characteristics of the future citizen. Then with such a people as compose the population of Indiana and with such resources as she has, why not have an exposition in 1900 that will place in juxtaposition the past and the present ? I believe the people want it—will be benefitted and eucourged by it, and therefore are willing to provide ample means for it.” ON A SCALE THAT WILL MARK AN EPOCH. Hon. Charles T. Doxey of Anderson, one of the commissioners from the Seventh district, expresses himself as heartily in favor of celebrating the centennial anniversary of the organization of Indiana territory, and cannot conceive of a more fitting plan for its proper observance than the holding of a mammoth exposition. “It will,’’ he says, “give the various industries of our state au opportunity to show the great advancement that lias been made since Indiana commenced her territorial existence. Other states have observed similar events, and have found them to be beneficial to almost every branch of industry. It will stimulate trade, encourage progressive competition, educate the people, advertise our natural resources and demonstrate to the world that from an industrial standpoint, Indiana is second to none. It should be conducted on such a scale that it will mark an epoch not only in the history of the state, but in the history of the United States We have everything in readiness for such an exposition except the place and the date fixed. Let the legislature prepare a place and fix a date, and our people, who have been waiting for such au opportunity, will do the rest. ’ ’ EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL PROGRESS. Commissioner Jackson of Greenfield uelieves the enterprise is one which should bo entered into with a spirit and ■liergy such ns has characterized the progress aud development of the state airing the century. “In doing this,” :e _ says, ‘‘l think we should not lose ,iit of the educational and social pro's-; which lias been made by the citi* is of our state. The material adaacement and general business condieus can b ■ v rv readily and properly o t ,ht into aiuonce, for the busies lie tifurious of the state will ccrally bv giud to co-operate in this en■iiri.se. i am not prepared to enter ato auy details concerning the colebra>u, but I believe the patriotism of our citizens and their pride in the state will cause them to render the commission the necessary assistance to successfully carry out any plan which they may adopt. White there is considerable ume before the date of the celebration, yot I am of the opinion that definite work should be doue in the near future in the way of determining the general plan and arranging the details, so far as expedient and possible at this time. In uo other wav can the object and pleasure of the celebration be so forcibly impressed upon the minds of the people and their co-operation secured.”