The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-02-27

eivflisetiea since our coming in 1670. The
walnut and the Whitewater were then the
western border Of civilization. II was, then,
ffon there In ISL the star Of empire west.
ward took its giant strides until IN solid pns-
lanx for IN one hundred miles At least this
great, broad, blooming paradise Of the ethe.
rial gods yields suheervience to the hand OF
agricultural man. Encouraged by our COM
ing and example this vast region is now
nourished by the sweat and cherished by the
toll Of surely thirty thousand freemen. the
sheen Of the plOwshare glistens upon everS
quarter; the rustling maize and golden har-
vest mods to every breeze; the bloom OF the
apple, the pomegrznate, the peach, the pear,
the grape and the Usage orange laden every
zephyr with their sweet perfume; all animal
nature contribute to the relief Of our toll, or
form the staples or luxuries OF our subsist-
ence /; the comfortable cot BY yonder brook
side, or upon the prairie swell, Is our happy,
happy home an hundred schools throughout
the realm offer TO divulge the secrets and
mysteries OF life to the youthful minds OF our
children upon the soft Sabbath morning air
Is heard the gentle summons Of the church
bell; and all these are ours, and there Is no
one to make us afraid. They are our own
our much loved. happy homes. Cherish, oh,
cherish them. my friends, the great treas
ure of this transit0ry life. How many Of US.
oh, how many, have t0iled in the meshes OF
eastern land owners, or writhed beneath the
prescribed sOlOns OF eastern capital. subserv-
lent to which our daily bread fluctuated at
their will and caprice; we almost lived. as
We now can see, the humble subjects Of their
charity; as tickle fortune smiled or frowned
upon these heir inheritants 50 was our doom
to comfort or to misery. Look at Illinois to-
day. Her estates are municipalities or serf-
doms. 1t rests with US. my friends. whether
the mantle Of grasping, avaricious capital
shall envelOp US, or whether, by industry.
Lnf,
selyes-we shall maintain the independence
with which we are now 50 beautifully en-
dOwed. Oh, how glorious the thought, how
glorious the independence that says TO low
ing wife and family: .'This is our home -
How truly noble is that man who, in the true
spirit Of our glorious Republic can say II
am man, and this is my home and my coun-
try" Let Us ever cherish the lesson Of the
past II will stimulate Us to noble efforts: il
will exalt our manhood to higher apprecia-
ton Of the great benehcencc of our nation
that has given us these homes and made us
what We are; has made us men who. hOwev-
er humble in life, are peers by inheritance to
the most naughty Of our fellows, and equally
accessible to its highest hOnOrs. Such ma
don is indeed worthy of our gratitude and
sincere loyal allegiance. No party, no issue,
no delusiOn. should lure us from the plain
duty of carefully investigating the great pur-
poses, principles and interest that are con-
cerned, when casting our ballots for our re-
spectiye Representatives for, remember this,
and inculcate it In the minds and memories OF
your children: 'When this Republic shall be
by its professional intestine friends and not
BY its avOwed or open enemies"
But, ayaunt! l have perhaps forgotten
what ! most should speak OF. Some of we
old settlers remember when we could shoot
buffalo from our door steps; when our plains
were strewn with their fresh bones; and
later, when one man brought in on wagons
eleven hundred fresh buffalo skins, the tro-
phias of his own rifle; and we also remember
when the same man the following winter was
dependent on public charity for meat !; and as
well do We remember when some of us feared
to cross the Big Arkansas river through APP
prehensiOn Of Indians, and when many a
timid spirit fed back to the East fearful of
the perils Of the border. Such has been the
rapid march of civilization, and such the con-
trast Of this region in eight years. 1t is a new
world of man, new creation, u new province
within itself. Teeming with large CONNER
cial cities. towns, villages and hamlets, full
of life, energy and promise, whilst the broad,
rich acres contribute their harvest Of agricul-
ture to supply not alone our own, but sister
States, and away across the broad oceans to
bless and cherish the furnishing millions Of
the globe.
Then. as old settlers of the happy vallef.
shall We not join in u mutual gush Of pride
in feeling we have been the light and the way
to so many wanderers finding happy homes
beneath our blue skies and genial sun; and
that, In common with us, they are permitted
to enjoy the glOries and blessings so richly
melted out TO us all in the Farmers Paradise
Of the Arkansas Valley.