, 1876-10-07

the counties thereto adjacent, rs bein,,
that they shall one day command the
commerce OF China, Europe, and North
America. The highway Of great nations
is destined to pass through our marn;I.
icent inland sea and the metropolis OF
the world shall stand somewhere upon
these shores. Combine those mcts with
all our advantages OF climntc, the en-
traordinnry productiveness of our soil.
the latter doubtless due somcwmt 10
the former, and the low rate OF mortal
ity. and you have elements which need
only the blessing of the God of Nations
upon honest industry, pure morality.
and true religion, to make Western
Washington one of the greatest and
happicst commonwcalths of the United
States, perhaps of all the world. 1t il
no small honor to he pioneers in the
erection of such state. No light re-
sponsibiity lies upon us to lay the
foundations deep and strong. And ours
is no unimportant duty to build the su.
perstructure wisely and well. A little
of this building You have done to-day.
A portion OF your work is within these
walls. The foundations of it were laid
when you teled the forest giants and
TILED the virgin soil and scattered the
seed from which tins harvest has been
gathered. You may take patriots
pride in believing that if every man is
benefactor to his country, who causes
"two blades Of grass to grow where only
one grew before much more does he
serve well the common veal, who trans.
forms the wilderness and the forest into
gentle meadows, fruitful orchards and
waving fields Of golden grain,
AS Christian minister, might very
properly, did time permit dwell Mt
length upon the fact that farmers as u
class, have more intense religious con-
victions and are morally purer men than
the natives and dcni2cns of cities and
towns. From among farmers sons come
the larger army of prize men in our Col
lege and University examinations, And
the intellectual giants among our pro
fessional men are largely composed of
farmers sons No class of men are so
independent MS the farmer. No family
can be so happy as his If he takes little %
pains to surround them with few of
the common refincments of life, in
Guiding the musical instrument, the we'll
selected library, and exercises q patcrnal
authority which is controlled by the
Christ like charity that suiIereth long
and is always patient and kind. No
profession gives better health, clearer
conscience and a longer life, unless it be
that of the gospel minister.
But shall leave others, il they see fit,
to speak of these things us well as Of
questions pertaining to mechanical skill
and the facilities furnished by our M
tive woods and minerals and the water
power now natlized upon all our rivers
and streams. Others may perhaps tell
you about the gold that lies hidden in
our hills, the diamonds (black though
they be) which are glittering in our coal
fields and the treasures Of silver in every
forest tree, three millions worth OF which
is exported annually, and now pro-
nounced by marine authorities the best
ship building material in the world.
These are all attractive themes. But
have already tried your patience long
enough and shall hasten to close.
Perhaps l am little enthusiastic
about this new land of ours. Certain it
is that | expect to live long enough to
see smiling villages and prosperous
towns dotting all the shores OF Puget
Sound and planted on the banks Of
every tributary river, and one great city,
the destined metropolis Of the world
standing (probably) where Seattle now
queens it on Elliot Bay. ! see before mo
as look down the stream of time those
towns and cities studded with mammoth
warehouses for accommodating the CON-
merse of the great nations Of the world,
and surrounded by magnificent villas,
and beautiful cottages the homes of
princely wealth and refinement and the
humber habitations OF honest toll not
less refined. ! see practical schools and
colleges and magnificent temples for the
worshin nf the One True God I see