River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-07-23

The refining alchemy of education has
been constantly at work, and every
science, every art. aud every Industry
have been fostered aud promoted
| Sharing with other states in the ter
rible consequences Of civil war, aud
the many other obstacles in the path
to greatness, Wisconsin has, neverthe.
less, steadily risen, aad each year of
her history has given her nearer aud
dcarer place 10 the great family of
states. What the loyalty Of her citi-
gems was during the dark heurs Of
patiopal peril, we we'll remember.
When the angry storm of war burst up
on us aud threatened to deIuge our
soil with the priceless blood of Ameri.
can heroes, Wisconsin gave upon the
altar of human liberty, her wealth Of
blood and treasure. And, through the
years of distress which followed. she
never wavered in her devotion to the
good OF the common country. But it
is not to be expected that the ultima
tum of human attainments has been
reached, even by the Badgers. Per-
lection is not to be found even 10 our
own loved state. Even the highes!
type of loyalty is not evinced by
readiness to take up arms in efence of
country. There is deeper patriotism
aud truer valor than this. There is
a christian spirit, underlying all worthy
action which far surpasses it. aud to
which We should all aspire. 1t is the
same spirit which made Washington
the father, aud Lincoln the savior Of
his couutry. 1t is that entire forget
fulness of self and supreme desire to
give stability to our institutions which
shall make them endure ffke the ever.
lasting granite. Such men do not live
merely to slve the nation in times of
danger, but to give it character which
shall place it beyond danger. Great
men are the models Of nations. Aud
nations and states which are but the
aggregate of individuals, must rest
their hopes Of future success upon the
character of the masses. Let us thea
apply ourselves to the work in hand.
Let US develop in ourselves such CHAR
acter as shall condgoe to a firm natural
growth. Let US build upon the just
and humane principles Of our fathers,
bearing in mind that peaceful error
is never better than tempestuous
truth"
1t is no: enough that the eeogruph-
zeal advantages of Wisconsin are unsur-
passed; that she occupies the center of
great and growing nation, bounded
by mighty lakes and rivers, rich in
natural resources aud abounding in
mineral and agricultural wealth. aud
that she possesses virgin soil aud a
healthful CLIMATE. All these Go not
constitute a state. What God has done
for nature cannot take the plaOe OF
what mau must do for himself. Then,
'Wbat oonstituteg a state?
Not high raises bat lement or poated gate,
Not broad armed ports. where laughing IT
fle storm, rich navies ride,
Not starred aud spangled courts
Where low browed baseness watts perfume
" pride
But men, high minded men men who
Their duties know and knowing dare main
This constitutes q state"
Why may not Wisconsin be such
enc, and then il may be said with truth,
she is "a model commonwealth, dis.
tinguished alike for intelligence aud
freedom, --love Of liberty and respect
for lava patriotism as pure as her
summer breezes, aud prosperity per.