The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-07-14

aginat.,n. a riream, and a waking dream.
at that But no dream, sleeping, or
waking, is quite all dream. The same
skies, apparently, viii over-spread; some
of the trees, now young and thrifty, bnt
then hoary, aged and venerable, will
still be here; and the high hills, and
rocks, and deep ravines. will remain
very much then as now. But everything
else, how changed. 1t will indeed be
county of cities and towns, and, in the
mineral districts, particularly, village
will reach TO village, and the whole will
many hills and hillsides will indeed be
vine-clad, like unto many places in TIA
", France and Sp.in. MeAdamized
roads will cross and re-cross each other
and cars. propelled by horse or steam
power, will traverse the county in almost
every direction. Scores of weekly news
papers will he published, and, one daily,
at least, within the county; and one hum
dred years from this very day, they will
contain some account of this Centennial
celebration. The county will abound
with artificial lakes. and the fish pro-
duced therefrom will form no inconsid-
cradle part of the food of the inhabit
ants. Wooden houses will almost have
disappeared, and structures of brick or
stone, will have taken their places. ]
can not but think that the genius that
captured and harnessed steam and light
ming, and made them snbservIent to the
uaes of man, will yet control the ele-
ments of the skies; and that, one hun
dred years hence, those aerial messen-
gers, air ships, will dot the heavens, ev.
en- as steamboats, dot our noble rivers
and great vessels dot and speck the
broad oceans.
Some of the present buildings of the
town of Somerset will probably remain
hundred years hence, to tell, in aome
manner, the story of the present time
hut the great multitude of people as
semi bled here to-day will have passed
away, borne on by the current of tina
mighty river which bears all earthl!
things on to their final destiny. Som,
little babe, now in it's mothers arms
NAV be fortunate, or unfortunate enough
to live to see the next Centennial Pos
sihly, some little child, six or sevel
years of age, and here to-day, may at
tend Centennial, not far from this spo
in 1875, and, old and feeble, take tn
stand, and relate something of the dc
ings here this day-tell how the canno
boomed, how the flags waved, and tn
banners were flung to the breeze, ho'
the people were decked in their gayes
attire, how the men and boys shouted
and the ladies smiled, but that Is abor
all that can possibly he left on earth, {
this vast assembly, on the 4th of Jul
1875.
CLOSING THOUGHTS.
In view ofthese things, and after ha'
ing under consideration the breadth
two centuries-one the historical pas
and the other the imaginative future
involving 80 much of life, and livir
beings, it is difficult, if not inappropriat
TO close without some allusion to the Fl
ture destiny of the individuals wi
compose this large assembly. We canno
of course any more than of old, expe
grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles; af
we cannot look for thrift to follow i
dolence and extravaganza. and We mn
not expect peace and joy to come as Il
v result of vice and folly, or to succet
: them, without adequate repentance, r
j formation and atonement; but all of
t may have an abiding faith, as the gre
n anchor of the sonl, that through the i
h finite mercies and sacrifices ofthe livil
O God, and of the beloved Son, Jes
e Christ, we may pass from anguish
peace, from grief to joy, and from Z
incompleteness and unrest of earth,
v the infinite peace and perfectlons
, heaven. Thus may we all hope to me
e. again, and with those who have gone /
10 fore. in the strange and heaven prepar
: countries of eternity.