New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-06-25
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SPEECH OF 4 T'E YERAN.
From Ia. Chicaeo r,ibnne.

We print below the remarks made by a veteran
one hERdrcd and serentecn gears Of az the Pioneer
Festival in Madison Wis., on Thursday last. Waat
events have been crowded into this mans lite w hen
he was bprp Frederick the Great, now historical
character was ON the throne; Austria was engaged
in a furious var and Arson was making his remark
able VOYAGE around the world. He was \" chunk OF
a boy when Franklin made his great discoveries IN
electricity of which the electric telegraph IL the re.
suit At the time OF Braddocks defeat he was as Old
rs many lad who carried musket under the Lead OF
Washington twenty years later. He was twenty. five
wears of age when resistance TO the Stamp Act IN
Mas saChusetts began, and was qualified by ms yeas
To occupy a seat in the first Colonial Congress in
ICES. He might have accompanied Boone in his ex-
ploratcn of Kentucky-a State that now contains
more than million of people. Had be gone to Europe
when he was over thirty years oil age he might nave
seen and heard Hume, Burke, johnson, Pitt, Cold
smith Voltaire kopstOck and LessiOg-all long since
dead ard historically valued by their successors. He
was a MIDDLE aged man, in the full yigor Of life, when
the ar of Ind pendence closed, and Washington was
President Of the United States. lie saw the rise and
opening of the French Revolution; he was witness
OF the whole career of Napoleon. lie was d-more
than three score ten-when Hull surrendered at
Detroit; yet, how few who were there then live to tell
the stoiy now lie has seen this country grow from
collection Of English, French and Spanish colonies,
containing population Of less than two millions, TO
the rank ut hrst-cess power. But IN one hundred
and seventeen years what has he not seen!
Joseph Crelie, whose remarks we copy from Ibe
Madison Journal, is probably the Oldest man in the
United States. He SAID:
Il
deep interest to this meeting. Permit me, old man,
with the frosts Of bundled aud seventeen winters
now whitening my brow, to greet you to-day, aud to
express the hope that you may live these many years
to meet together similar occasions. Ny own pio-
neer life has been peaceful rather than eventual.
native Of Detroit partly raised ut kaskaska and
Prairie du Roche in Illinois, and subsequently, became
an inhabtant Of st. Louis, under Spanish rule, and
for many years Of the last century was engaged As
rovagtur between st. Louis and Prairie du Chen,
ana Prairie du Chen via Wisconsin and Fox Rivers
and Macknaw. l was, in lSlf, participant with
the Americans in the conflict at Prairie gu Chien anu
served ~ an express carrier in the Black Hawk war,
when a companion was shot dead by my side by the
stealthy Indians in ambuscade; being myself
Freedman, aud my wife related TO the Indians,
have reast to believe was purposely spared Forty
one wears ago | located at the Wisconsin Port
age and nearly q third Of q century snoe l
was mail carrier between Mineral Point and Green
Bay II has fallen to my lot TO live successfully, in
the same country under French British, Spanish and
Anne rican Governments and have defended the lat
ter at the hazard of my life. Though L have thus
spent my days upon the frontiers, my memory Is too
al to permit me to go into dates, and could recall
them, fear they would only serve to NIL up the pic
ture, already but too well known, Of border dangers,
difficulties and pryations. L have been three times
married. and Of nine children but single survives
the seventh by NY first marriage aud she has nearly
reached the age Of three adden allotted to our
race. But | have grand children, almost without
nun ber and for tho benefit of some OF the latter
hope yet To obtain some bounty land from Govern
mclt tor my cary SERVICES. COnc uo"n w you,
fellow pioneers from former century-an old man,
with the habits customs and feelings Of the simple
hearted contented race Of a century ago with few
want1 and 10 ambitious aspirations. | can in truth
say that love my pative land; have cheeffglly
riskod my life in its defense in repeing the British
and Indian foe and trust there none here to-day
who will fail to stand by country in every hour OF
hia and Ganger--none who will ever, under any plea,
lend themselves to the dsreputable work OF weaken.
ing the res that bind together our glorious Cnion
have lived here in the West, under despotic sway,
ard know full well how to appreciate the blessings VI
free government which | heartily commend to your
final love ard protection.
In conclusion, fellow pioneers can only give YOU
il is all have to otfer-an old mans prayer and bless
ing.
OF the proceedings The Argus and Democrat says:
The old pioneers went off into the most oyia repair
teeing ol their Own telling stories, making comments
on the progress of the West aud nduging 10 not few
hearty shOned jokes An occasional scntillaton
of wit from a rough and hearty "Old settler" would
cohyulse the house in laughter, and again sudden
outbuTst of natural feeling not unifequently brought
moist sparkle or full, round tear into the eyes OF
those tres.nt The occasion was one of extraordinary
and peculiar interest and all seemed 10 feel so, from
the newcomer to cur State 10 the hrs adyenturers
within ts wild territory years ago. Quite number OF
the farer sex who pioneers also and had shared
m the lows and sOrrows Of frontier life, were present.
and ion. ia the CouviVlaltIes. Some OF TIER ch'd-
rem men and women grown were aso there, and point
I'd out with pride BY the speakers, who fairly run over
with enthusiasm.