Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-10-17
Tennessee.

Robert Gates speech, made at the
county fair in Manchester, Iowa.
Now my countrymen, unite the
two agencies of civilization, diversi-
fed production and diversified indus
tries, and you have the most perfect
conditions, social, political, material,
that the world affords. In Tennessee
these agencies of progress unite in
larger measure than in any land of
equal or double area, under the sun.
And now that the old days are memo
ries, the ways passing into tradition,
who may doubt the future of a State
with such vast crude wealth, such
boundless possibilities, the whole
blessed by climate warm enough
for varied and successful growth, for
great development, with maximum
of pleasant living; cool enough for
vigorous mental and physical man.
hood and for that healthfulness which
gives bloom to the cheek, elasticity
to the step and brightness tothe eyes,
be they black as night or blue as the
skies.
firmly believe that within a de-
cade or less, the wondrous possibili-
ties of Tennessee will be demonstra-
ted to the world, and that within the
next quarter of century she will
stand with the foremost in wealth
and power. Hence, when / say that
no,0 is the time to go down into that
goodly land and lay the foundations
Of.fortunes and homes for the genera
lions that are to. bear your name and
share your success or failure, / mean
it in all the fullness and strength of
thorough conviction. A cordial well
come is guaranteed. Our people are
given to hospitality, and when you
come to know them at home you will
like them. They are a noble people,
your equals malt the highest elements
of character, and behind you only in
thrift and public schools, and fast APP
preaching you even in those essentials
of modern progress. They are a
proud people, and acknowledge no
superiors in the graces of courtesy,
courage and charity. They bend the
knee to God alone. Misfortunes and
trials, and rivers of precious blood,
and homes desolate, and hearts
bruised, have not made them towards,
nor do they indulge in repinings and
reproaches. They have accepted the
issue of fate and superior power, and
have faced to the future to rebuild
and restore, en- broader and higher
planes. They see the errors of the
past, the madness with which
they chung to fatal institution, the
madness that led them to attempt the
impracticable and the unwise. They
see in all its force and grandeur that
the union of our fathers is best, that
the results of the conflict are, in the
main, as they should be. More than
this brave men do not ask. More
than this brave men will never con.
cede, Tried in the crucible of a terri.
BILE experience, refined in the fiery
furnace of war, the Southern people
have come forth purer than gold
Amid the ruin their own mistakes
helped to bring, but removed from
the temptations that too often corrupt
and demoralize successful parties
their generations secure from the oft
times damaging influence, the poison
of demagogic pandering and over
strained government favor, they are
building in virtue, in strength anC
broader patriotism as surely as die
the SaXons of old time, under the
shadow of Norman power. They are
nearer without bitterness than any
people who ever dared and failed
That we failed, that it is best we die
fail, is recognized in the fuller ligh
that has come with the events anC
the years, by the generation tina
fought and the generations that ar,
come or coming upon the stage of &C
ton. That is enough for the fair
minded to ask or yield. l never saw
IA confederate soldier, l never saw ;
Southern man or woman, worthy o
American citizenship, but was prouC
Of the proves the South displayed il
the greatest struggle of history, and
hope 1 never will. This consolation
this balm ofpride, that comes to tn
defeated that fought well and honora
bly,, no power can take away and n
generous power will begrudge or be
httle.
The imaginations of this and tn
generations to come, will not cease t