Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-07-17
SPEECH OF GENERAL erNrY.

Sentiment lust offered and after the few brief but
eloquent words of my friend Colonel Dayton. 1 |
his words thatin the hour OF trial the army and |
navy win fail to respond to the call of duty.
The next regular toast was
Our Guests-ths Northeastern Press The daily
chrOnielers of passing events. and champions of
civil, religious and commercial progress
Dr. Leonard announced that this toast
would be responded 10 by the gentleman to
whom, next to the gentlemen of the city of
St Louis, they were indebted for this most
Joyful OecasiOn-Charles Seymour editor of
the La Crosse Republican, and President of
the Wisconsin Editorial Association.
RESPONSE or PRESIDENT SEYMOUR.
Ma. MAYOR AND GESTLENEx We have in t.his
assembly friends OF every imaginable and very
conceivable shade Of politics, from the ge' auine
old Democrats down TO the hottest Shangha Is You
ever saw. lLaughteT.l But tell .you th ere will
not be one harsh word or any hostile fee ag or po-
Htical feeling demonstrated here to-day and be-
fore address you. respond to the Toast Won
have been kind enough to propose, 1 must cali ON
the glee club of our Wisconsin editorial assOcia-
tiOn-gOOd men and true from my Jwn CITY of La
Crosse-to give You song appropI late to this city
caIity in the country: where men have been lepS
rated by political differences. ar al where there is
enees and appeal together for. The Advancement
and welfare OF our common Jnntry
SPEECH OF PRESIDE nj SEYMOUR.
NJ Mayor glEd geaiielaey .. thank you for the
cordial manner in which "a have offered that SEN
timent in honor of your sresTs-the Press of the
NoTthwest-whOm we h Ne the honor TO represent
& " n ms beautiful enterprising and opulent
We should regard a AZ other evidence than what
a. snnag mn 'O-"ay ofthe prosperity OF St Louis,
We have come to Compare notes and to obtain
Pe vi !Ou5 rcsour res and your ability To advance
oftba yraat Me- r ste in promoting the commerce
Mr. Mayor, II e country press is a power in this
Iu' because IL represents the wishes OF the peo-
Closely dsn df NP the ' PTos Sg ~ oflh LoV Whole
% tnMester q country God Almighty, in proyid-
. ing water Highways for its commerce. did not
place tnes rivers here for mere playthings. They
VT lnp snded and designed as instruments for
me PToH lotion Of the prosperity OF the people Of
source :. We have desire to make war on any
orr pTo.ec % ~ ber o eite bnf W Teard he
prs Jerity of such cities Milwaukee,, where we
ave been holding our convention this week: and
the eiGy of 81. Louis, where now enjoy munif-
cent hospitality and the city Of Chicago. which
we propose TO visit tomorrow night-as evidence
Of he thrift of the strength. and the greatness of
u al Northwestern country. CHEERS.
Mr. Mayor, perhaps might say that we wish TO
FAY before the people of this Northwestern country
all the facts that we have CLEANED. in order that
TO the legislation upon an these questions. We
want to see all these great commercial eenters
like ST. Louis, Cincinnati and Chicago. with their
ports of entry, their systems of railroads, with
their steamboat communications, and their i'm
prOyements IN navigation and their development
of all their resources and manufacturing interests
We want to the coal OF Illinois brought across
here and we want 10 see them level the Iron
Mountain. 80 that You send yOur merchandise
across the prairies both sides of the Misss-
iPP Pl az an ne6p Mso Sk e hl P the soil
in rInsfna my remarks come to the point more
clearly than by reading to yOu the conclusion OF
an address which had the honor 10 present 10 the
convention in Milwaukee.
ventiOn. for the excursion. and for the festivities
of the week II has been our ann 20 comohne tle
greatest amount OF pleasure and dement, 10 the
members of the associations OF wisconsin ana
Minnesota. The interests of these two States are
in many respects identical. The products, the
kaIfpeOpIe in whose service toll and whose in
terests we strive to promote. form no incOnsider-
able portion of the commerce which pays tribute
of St Louis Chicago and Milwaukee,.
We come not To this place Mr.. Mayor, 10 con
sumo yOur substance and TO revel in riOtOus liy
ing. but come guardians and representa-
that demand of u that shall keep the people
informed of the facilities possessed. the induce
ments presented. the resources developed and un-
developed, the natural channels and highways of
commerce improved. tire artificial highways OF
commerce opened or cont mpiated, and ON every
thing affecting the substantial interests OF tne'
people in all parts of our common country. and
witf our eyes and ears open To and hear The
good things we hope to he able to bear to our
respective homes not only pleasant memories OF
friendly greetings, hut of iOyOus festivities and
also valuable acquisitions Of knowledge and an
inexhaustibie fund of material facts for editorial
elaboration and cOndensiOn that viii enable "
10 bear ample testimony at the prosperity. the pro
gress and achievements and soundness OF the
Be sure gentlemen We shall bear to orr homes
grateful and happy "reminiscences OF our first Visit
10 ~. Louis. lCheers-
The next regular toast:
WTscOnsiR-AEve 10 every interest that affects a
great and noble race. Her people appreciate her
value. know her resources. and apply themselves
earnestly 10 the work Of shapins her destiny in the
future
RESPONSE or HON. 4 NJ THOMSON.
Hon y NJ THOMPSON, Speaker of the
Wisconsin Assembly, responded as follows |:
Mr.. MAYOR AND GENTIENES:-I trust the dry
ness of my remarks ON this occasion may not be
regarded "a evidence of the sterility of Wisconsin
soil. taken as proof Of the uninteresting
The state Of Wisconsin contains 10000 square
miles and more than are embraced in the area of
are larger than some of the New England States.
Admitted into the UhjOnEn S4S, her growth in
history of the Northwestern States Nature has
lavished upon her many of those resources and ad
Gus andIhappy. Her eastern border Is bounded BY
one of the great lakes which constitute portion
of The most magnificent chain OF internal naviga-
ton on the globe, while the Father of Waters
washes our western limit and offers uninterrupted
communication with the sea. The produetiyeness
of our soil Is admitted everywhere, and passing
!ntO prOverb in the old world, lures thousands
of the worlds busy workers 20 seek independence
and ease upon our shores. She has more miles of
navigation, and Is now operating more miles OF
railroad than any OF the Northwestern States. The
rich deposits of lead, copper and rOn and her vast
forests Of the most valuable pine and other sorts
of timber correspond with those other means of
wealth and independence which she so generously
holds out 10 her children.
will be found to he as enlightened and liberal as
her natural resources vast and grand, Her
system of common school education i based upon
the theory that every State is in duty bound TO
furnish every child within its limits with the OPP
pOrtunity for acquiring much learning will
Be sufficient to enable each one TO discharge the
ordinary business of life. Hence we have to-day
over $4,000 children in the common shoots OF
Wisconsin. and IL Is hardly figure of speech 10
saw that under our benefcient system their eduea-
ton i a. free the flowers they pluck in the prai
r{es or the waters with which they slake their
thirst And when the youngest of these $4,000
children shall pass out into the active duties OF
life TO aid shaping the future policy of our gallant
State and of the nation. Wisconsin will have more
than million of others ready to take their places
Following this grand idea, that free education
shall be "a universal taxation. Wisconsin has
provided with liberal and sympathetic hand for
those unfortunate 0ass shat have been rendered
HELPLESS bv disease and accident. and she has now
in success operation class of nevOlent insti
buttons for the education of the blind and deal
and dumb and for the cure of the insane that are
an honor to the enlightened philanthropy OF the
age. We have a State University. splendidly en-
Fowe6. and now entering upon career OF prosper
ffv ans usefulness that will meet all demands up
on il. and will soon become the pride and joy o
our people. In addition thereto we have an agri
cultural department. also well endowed by the
government where the future tillers of our soil
may become as learned and skllful IN their honor