The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1855-12-05
The Kansas Capitol.
SPEECH OF oovEaSoa SHANNON.

SPEECH OF GOVERNOR SHANNON.
The ceremony Of breaking the ground up
on the foundation of the future capitol Of
the Territory. was performed at Leeomp-
ton on the 2Ilh ult.. by his ExceIlepcy
Governor Shannon. in the presence of
large concourse Of citizens. The Governors
remarks upon tbs occasion were very appro.
pirate and we'll recsived. lie said:
GENTLEMEN-In pursuance Of an old and
venerable custom, which has long been OBJ.
served in the civilized countries Of the world
at the commencement of edificss designed
lor public use, We are about TO perform the
ceremony Of breaking the ground for the
future capitol of the Territory of Kansas.
Here the ground was broken. Upon this
beautiful plat ofground. surrounded by hill
and dale, woodland and prairie, is destined
soon to rise abuilding which, in appearance
and utility, will do honor TO the architect
and credit to all who are concerned in its
design and construction, and furnish TO the
future Legislators Of our country, and the
officers of your government all the ronve-
nlences necessary to prompt and proper
performance of their various official duties.
IL twelve months from this we confidently
expect to- have the capitol erected and en-
closed, presenting an appearance of which
the ci izens of this Territory may Justly be
proud. aRornamentof tiIisyoung ctyand a
visible monument attesting the energy, en-
terprise and architectural taste and genius
of the age in which we live. We, have ey-
cry reason to anticipate that within the same
time Jou will se. here and there, around
this capitol, sprin5ng into existence as il
were by the hand of magic. TIE ctnfdi ia,
bic private dwellings, the business house,
the church, the school house and temple Of
justice, furnishing additional proof of the
wonder fu energy and enterprise of the An
glo American race, aud at the same time
comfortable homes for our citizens, suitable
accommodations for all the business transac.
tions Of life, for the administration of the
law, the propagation of religion, and the
education of the youth of the city. We con-
fdcntIy hope to see in few wears, hcrs
where we stand, surrounded. by the prime
val forests and natural meadow, IL city sprine
up, around this capitol which will rival, if
not in wealth and population at least in tie
intelligence, enterprise and virtue of its cii-
zenS, and in all the comforts and convent.
ences Of life, the most prosperous cities Of
the older and more advanced portions OF
our country.
And why should We doubt the realization
of these anticipprions? Look at The natural
resources and capabilities Of The country by
which we are on al sides surrounded =
Take the Territory of k9nsgs for two hun
dred miles north an south, and an equa'
distance east and west, where will you find
on the surface of this globe, country of
equal extent, possessing Iaore agricultural
capabilities? Theacapital of-sucl, a terrific.
ry, cannot fail to advance rapidly in popula.
ton and wealth. The clsygis surrounded in
al directions b. a country Of unsurpessed
fertility, which must to great extent be
tributary to it, possessing NJ the same time
saIabrious climate with al abundance of
rock and timber, easy of access, and all the
requisite meteriaIs for buidiny up, improy-
ing and ornamenting IL great city. Wi,h
these advantages, (urnis he'd by the hand of
nature, with an industrious and enLcrprising
population constantly arriving among us,
we have every reason, under Providence,
TO predict for this city and the surrounding
country bri5 5ht and prosperous future
Let no joaouses exist between this and
neghboring towns and cities, to mar the
harmony and good will that ought to exs
between members Of the same political fam
lily. Tccumseh and Lawrence, your form 4r
,ivaIs for the capital, both have their advant-
ages and their resources They ar sur
rounded by a country equally rich and pro-
ductive. Mature has been to them as Iiber-
al in her gifts as to Lecomptoa. They. too,
may justly anticipate bright and pros per.
Gus future. Let no narrow minded ieal- |
ousy enter into the co npettion that wi nat
urally exist between cities SO nearly loca.
ted together. Let the competition be an
honorable one-a competition in the devel.
opment Of the great and almost unlimited
resources of the country, by which each is |
surrounded--in building up and ornament
ing cilies-in the advancement Of educa.
ton and religion, and in the cultivation of |
all the virtues of social life. This is nc
bic and honorable competition, mutually |,
beneficial to all, prcjudicial to none. | con-
graduate the citizens OF Lecompton and sur
rounding country, and the people of Kansas
on the prospect of a speedy completion of
the work which we have this day commenc-
ed, and hope that noshing may occur to de.
feat or postponc the realization of our pres
ent prospects and expectations.
The Tribe of Ism. -...
VI.