Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1893 — A HOOSIER HURAH. [ARTICLE]

A HOOSIER HURAH.

Indiana Day at the World’s Fair. Our Statesmen, Dignitaries and Poet* and a Vast Conoours* of Hoosiers - Fw*O*t.\ In point of enthusiasm and possibly in numbers, Indiana can lay claim to the most successful State day of the Fair. The people of that State, quoting Governor Matthews, never do anything by halves and the Wednesday certainly indicate that the Governor was correct. Excursion trains were loaded to the guards. The weather was perfect. It was an ideal autumn day. When Governor Claude Matthews and staff, ex-President Harrison, James Whitcomb Riley and others were escorted to the Indiana Building at 11 o’clock by Commissioner Havens, Mr. Studebaker and others, the guards were compelled to force back the great mass of humanity which was packed together in front of the State building. After a musical program Governor Matthews, presiding officer of the day, made the opening address. He began by saying that Indiana never does anything by halves. ■. 1 ■■ •• - “The sons of Indiana," he said, “have left their Impressions on the country’s growth and have been counselors upon every great question that concerned its welfare. They have been safe and conservative leaders, broad and wise advisers, brave and accomplished defenders. They have been called to preside over the destiniesof a great Nation, and have done it well. The loftiest and most exalted position in the history of the world, that it has been in mortal power to bestow upon man, has been held by a son of Indiana. Such a one I have the proud satisfaction of introducing to you to-day—Benjamin Harrison of Indiana, ex-President of the United States.” This allusion to ex-President Harrison brought forth cheers. Then Gen. Harri • son arose and advanced to the platform amid a perfect storm of cheers. The exPresident devoted most of his speech to Indiana, praising her people for their thrift and eulogizing the great sons of the State. He took occasion to denounce in the most emphatic manner the lynching of men in many of the States. He said: “Obedience to the laws should be instilled in every mind. I know of nothing so barbarous, fiendish and criminal as the lynchings that have occurred in our land. Citizens should enroll themselves in some law and order organization, and no matter how heinous the crime, should protect the criminal with his life, as disobedience to our laws is of greater moment. Constables and sheriffs should be taught to know that every good citizen is behind them in enforcing obedience to the laws.” In speaking of Chicago he twittingly said: “That our pride Tn Indiana would be Increased if Chicago would keep her prize fighters and her train robeers at home.” At the conclusion of the address there was general applause, and some Indlanian offered three cheers for Harrison, which were given with a will.

Governor Matthews, In introducing James Whitcomb Riley, said: “If there be one characteristic above another for which the citizen of Indiana may be noted, it is his love of home—whether that may be the splendid mansion in the busy center—the farm house mid the smiling fields of grain and shaded pasture, or the cabins of our father in the deep umbrageous forest. It comes to us an inheritance from the ‘Hoosier’ pioneer who braved the unknown dangers of the forest, not with the greed of gain his absorbing thought, but with his soul filled with the noblest inspiration of our race.to build a home that he might leave a goodly inheritance to his children. I mentioned to you the name of‘Hoosier’ by which the citizens of Indiana is known far and near. I regret that there are a few whose ears have grown too fastidious that the name offends, but as for me I love the name and honor it. It is the synonym of sturdy manhood, untiring energy, sterling integrity, unflinching courage and a hospitality so broad and generous that has not its superior in all the world. It was the strong right arm of the ‘Hoosier’ that felled the forest, bridged the rivers, pushed forward roads over hills, through prairie and marsh, and laid the foundation of an empire in the grandeur of their state. We love him who can paint the picture of the humble life; find a poem in ‘the simple annals of the poor,’ and sing the sacred home songs of his people. None other has eveg done this better than the Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, of Indiana.” Mr. Riley recited one of his poems, “When the Frost is on the Pumpkin,” ttnd was warmly received. The crowd tried in vain to recall him. President Palmer pf the national commission spoke in a happy vein. Douglas Shlrely of Kentucky concluded the speech-making and then the “Hoosier Nightingales” sang. There were calls for Frederick Douglas and Thomas B. Reed, but the former declined to speak and the ex-speaker eould not be found. A reception to the governor aud staff and the speakers of the day followed in the building. The Odd Fellows held sway again jointly with Indiana. The gentlemen of the three links scattered about the grounds with their families and devoted a good part of the day to sight-seeing. They were together in force, however, for th;< dress parade on the government plaza, where a large crowd assembled to witness their maneuvers. The crowd around the Indiana building was enormous. -The presence of Gen. Harrison and other distinguished persons seemed to draw all the people on the grounds to that particular spot. The crowd soon became an unmanageable mass. When Gen. Harrison had been speaking but a few minutes the people surged forward in their eagerness to near his words. Suddenly there was a scream from the central portion of thecrowd. A panic was threatened. For an instant the crowd surged and several women screamed. The ex-President, realizing the danger, ceased speaking, and with perfect coolness urged tne people to remain quiet, at the same time motioning them back. A fainting woman was assisted by Gen. Harrison and Commissioner Havens to the platform, and the ex-Prealdent mounted a chair so the people could see him and continued his speech. The crowd soon ceased struggling, so two other women, who were on the point of fainting, were carried out and cared for by ambulance surgeons, and the panic, which had threatened to assume serious proportions, was over.