Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-06-25

! Under English rule after the fall OF Que
bee, the militia were dsarmed, but the
French residents were permitted to retain
their lands. From 1860 to 1892 the country
was governed. by the different military
commanders under military law, the coun-
| try being regarded as conquered prov
ince. During. this period there was little
complaint of the violation or private
rights, although the commandants still
exercised judicial powers.
From the acquisition of the territory by
the English until it came into the hands OF
the American union in 1883 there was but
| little increase in the population. In fact,
il was discouraged 10y the home govern
ment
He then referred to the Northwest Ter
/ ritory, after the surrender of the forts TO
the United States, in 1885, and gave conf
| else history of the establishment of cXecu-
tive, judicial and representative pro-
visions, and code of laws for the govern
ment of that territory, with a capital at
Marietta, Ohio. From this point he traced
the various changes by which the territory
of Michigan was evolved. the county of
WAYNE established and the seat of govern.
ment fixed at Detroit, from which time
there had been no interruption OF the eX-
ercise of civil government within the bor-
ders of Michigan until the surrender Of
Detroit 10y Gen. Hull.
Coming down TO the formation OF the
territory of Michigan in 1903 Gov. Felch
drew n sketch of the accession of Gov.
Hull TO the governorship, his six years
term in that office, his many valuable ser
vices, and charging portion OF his dlsas-
ters 10 the determined hostility of the
Judges and the governor lack OF ability
in the discharge Of the legislative duties
thrust upon him. in connection with the
Judges. The question of the merits or de-
merits of the last unfortunate act OF GoV
Hull, the surrender of Detroit, has not yet
ceased to divide public opinion. The ac-
cession of Gen. Cass to the governorship
marked an epoch when the seed was sown
which has sprung up and borne the won
dcrous fruit of the present day. IN
speaker spoke in the highest terms of the
Judgment, bravery, integrity, and states
manship of Gen. Cass, and stated that six
teen treaties were effected 10y him during
his 1overnorshp, all of which were of
great Importance in securing peace and
prosperity to the territory. or his subse-
quent services he spoke in the highest
terms.
The last governor of Michigan territory
was George b. Porter, who died soon after
and was succeeded by Stevens
T. Mason, then secretary OF
state who was removed by
President Jackson in 1886, and Michigan
was admitted to the Union in the follow
ing year The speaker here paid rare
tribute to the craftsmanship and integrity
which marked the executive acts of Michi-
gan's hoy governor during the con-
war was an important incident. The next
governor. after the resignation of Gov.
Mason, was Gov. Horner, whose services
were very brief, as he came TO execute
acts which were distasteful to the people,
and his acts were marked by incidents
which placed him in "A ludicrous and hui
initiating position. He soon sunk from
view and is scarcely known in Michigan
to-day.
ir.,a Tait tot hn ol.p fnn
up history of its governors, commencing
with Gov. Mason, who was enthusiastically
elected on account of his able services
above referred TO. Mr. Mason was follow
he by John :. Berry. who held the office
from ls42 to 1850 and is the last of the dead
governors of Michigan. Lack of time
obliged the speaker TO close, which he did
in brief but eloquent peroration
"Oh, Let Me Like Soldier FAIL solo
by Mr.. l.. f. DeSale of the Arion quartette,
was followed by the Introduction of Hon.
John j. Adam. a venerable member of the
first constitutional convention of Michigan
and one of its oldest state officials, who
briefly related the positions which he had
held as Representative. senator, Ireasur-
er. Auditor General. and one of the com
mssioners which located the capitol at
Lansing He was listened to with atten-
ton.
..Springtime," a solo sung by Mrs Mary
W
such marked applause 10y the audience
that the lady was obliged to give an
encore.
The exercises closed with singing Mich
igan, Ny Michigan 10y the Arions.
IN REPRESENTATIVE HALL.
Henry Chamberlain presided in Repre-
sentative Hall. The exercises began with
selection from ''Trovatore" 10y the Tween
ty-third Infantry band after which the
Semi-centennal hymn by ID. Bethunc Duff
field was sung The chairman introduced
Judge Thomas NJ Cooley of Ann ArbOr as
the first speaker. The opening portion of
the address, was in n lofty. patriotic
strain He showed the progress of the
idea of liberty in the new world. slowly
but surely possessing the hearts and minds
of men, coming at last revolution and the
severance of colonial ties The result was
that tue world blessed the men of America
and the mother country thankful for the
inestimable boon of American liberty,
came to revere the name of Washington.
Judge Cooley next sketched the history
Of Michigan under the French domination,
its subsequent capture by the British, be-
ginning with the gallant surprise Of Macki-
nae. and the various conflicts with In
dians which centered about Detroit and
made that city the mart for human scalps
The war of 1872 was alluded to, the surren-
der of Hull, the brilliant victory of Perry,
the battle of the Raisin, with n eulogy of
the brave Kentuckians who fell on that
gallant field Next he passed TO the found
ing of the territorial government, the adj
ministration of Gov. Cass. The beginning
of the state government under Stevens Il.
Mason. n minor not qualified in law to sell
and give title to a house, but n man of en-
ergy and knowledge beyond his years
The famed Toledo war was also outlined.
Judge Cooley then passed to recital Of
the trials and labors of the early settlers.
The foundations of a great state were laid
in honesty, sobriety, frugality and piety.
The Judge grew eloquent in his tribute to
the virtues of the pioneer women, their
faithfullness and DEVOTION their services
to husband and family, to religion and ed
ucation-a tribute that brought moisture
to the eyes of listeners.
The growth of the school system was
treated with the ability of MASTER and
honor and respect was paid to the teach
ers who performed their tasks i'll the log
school houses.
The early settlers were mostly young
men and TO their vigor and enterprise is
largely due the success which was so
rapidly achieved. Judge Cooley passed
briefly over the wildcat perodn and de-
voted some pages to a recital of the re-
establishment of sound financial policy.
From review of the history of the state
Judge Cooley passed to biographical
sketches of its public men, emitting those
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