Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-07-06
THE LITERARY EXERCISES.

THE LITERARY EXERCISES.
Immediately after the dismissal of the
procession the Assembly chamber was
filled to overfowing with people desirous
Of hearing the literary exercises Upon
the platform were Governor Stoneman and
staff, the officers of the day and invited
guests. Grand Marshal McNasser called to
order and introduced his Honor Mayor
John @ Brown as President of the Day,
who spoke as follows:
Mr. Grand Ndrshal Ladies and Gentlemen:
Once again are we called upon by the voice OF
memory and the promptings of patriotism to do
honor to q day we love, to commemorate actions
patriotic manifestations. to pay the fitting triO-
ute to past generations for the noble works and
deeds accomplished that have given US SO much,
50 great country, such grand and noble insti-
tUtlons.
Men are born live ana accomplish their lite
work, and then pass away. The memory OF but
few is wrapt in the cloak of immortality, but
such day as this. born amidst strife and strug-
gle, aad set apart TO commemorate the grandest
ayowal of American freedom, viii live forever,
and rs each succeeding year brings the day, so
Will it bring to us those memories which it is
our duty TO keep fresh and green, and by our
play of pomp and procession, show to the world
that the American people are not unmindful of
the noble deeds of past generations. Not forget
ful or ungrateful of cause which has given life,
liberty and freedom, and raised them to hight
down from which they may look upon the
world at large, and with conscious pride eX-
hibit to other countries the workings of a gov
ernment that has made America the proudest
and grandest country that the sun to-day shall
shine upon
To-day we are but one people, one family,
with but one impulse and with but one aim.
Let us throw aside the thoughts of the busy
world, live anew by the contemplation of noble
deeds and struggles in our behalf, and from the
day and its memories so dear, take on an added
degree oflOyalty and patriotism, and while ever
mindful of the present, do homage to the past,
Prayer was then offered by the Chaplain
of the day, Rev. Carroll NJ. Davis. This
was followed by singing the Star Spangled
Banner" by a quartet composed of Mrs.
T. P. Ross, Mrs. Addie Carter, A Sanborn
and ii. w. Carroll, accompanied by the
band. The Declaration of Independence
was next read, in good voice, by W. A.
Potter, and was followed by an overture by
the band.
TIE GRAFTON.
The President of the Day them intro
duced the Hon. IL. &. Highton of San
Francisco, who delivered the Grafton for the
occasion, as follows:
Mr. President and Ftll0Ic- Citizens: 1t is a genu-
inc qualification to me to be permitted to ad-
dress the people of Sacramento and the sur
rounding country on this hundred and tenth
anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration
of Independence. | have spent over a third of
that period on the soil of this State, and thirty
six years ago was resident of this city, itself
a splendid illustration of American enterprise
and perseverance, in the face of great natural
obstacles and of severe and discouraging mis-
fortunes. 1t is, therefore, with certain degree
of pride, If / may be allowed to make one per-
sonal reference, that proceed to the perform
ance, however imperfectly, of the duty which
has been assigned to me on this occasion.
What multiform changes have been wrought
throughout the world, and especially on this
coast, in thirty years There are, perhaps, but
few present who can remember the actual cir
eumstances of the adoption of the compromise
measures of 1850, and how the Union itself was
racked throughout its length and breadth when
California was born and took her place in the
Federal system. Since then the growth of the
United States has been beyond all precedent in
ancient or modern history and the pressure
towards the West, which has been sensibly felt
in our own midst since the construction of the
overland railroads. by the year 1850 had carried
the center of population, and consequently of
political power, which, in 1880, was twenty
three miles east of Baltimore, to point eight
miles south and west from Cincinnati. Where
il is now would be a matter of inaccurate con
lecture, but it is certainly still nearer to the
Mississippi.
The one fact just mentioned would indicate q
development, which is, however,
of endless illustration. II is not my
purpose to deal with localities or to bore you
with statistics, or indeed to speak at any con
siderable length; but, if You viii bear with me
for a few moments, l will group together some
figures. taken from the best authorities, which,
If intelligently comprehended, will attest the
enormous progress of the country far more
than words. In 1880 the population
of the United States was 3,929 2l4 in 1850 it was
l3 lQI in 1SSS npQrlV CDIIld he pSti-
mated, il was Sc 773 997. There are now nearly
eleven millions of families and as far back
1880 there were 400S,9OI farms i'll the various
States and Territories. From 1890, which is the
earliest available record, 10 and including 1885,
we received II 5l6 1876 immigrants. most but not
all of whom we wanted; ana from 1850 to 1885,
2Sl, ,63l Cinnamon, all of whom we
could have spared. The gross area of the States
and Territories, without emitting Alaska. for
which we are indebted to Mr.. Seward, is 3,602,-
800 square miles and on the 30th OF June, 1880,
there were SIS 251 ,0G acres of public land still
In 1879 the wheat crop covered
35, ,430052 aces, and 459, ,479,50o bushels were
harvested; the crop of oats gathered from
l6, IA 593 acres reached SIS, ,999 bushels; and
Indian corn matured on g., ,36S $50 acres, and the
crop was ], ,754 S5l 535 bushels The crop of hay
alore in 1883 was of the value of SSs3, ,S34, ,45i
For the year which ended June 49, 1885, our
aggregate imports was OF the value of s571 ,527,
329 and our aggregate exports of the value Of
s726. $50 9l6. In 1880 the value of the materials
used in manufactures throughout the Union
was So 39I 81 029, and the value of the products
70, ,369 667 ,706. The mineral, which includes the
metallic products of the country, in 1854, real
iZad Sl06, ,I04 $40. To January l, 1856, the total
number of miles OF railroad in the United States
was 127,7S2, and the total number OF miles of
wires 5SS 226.
Rememberthat all the figures have dared to
present during these festivities have filed about
three small pages of manuscript. l have said
nothing specifically about the territory we haze
acquired by cession or by treaty, except in
fh4 Eip prfa nc co M cr-n 7 f.o,-,
toned the business transacted by the various
departments of the Government embracing the
the national banks, the public lands
and the mails. have omitted all reference to
0ur literature, science and art to our schools
colleges and universities: TO the moral and re-
igiens agencies which are operating throughout
.he land. have avoided all direct mention of
entire lines OF our products, such as meat. wool,
cotton rice, sugar, iron, steel. coal, copper Pc
-roleum. silk and wine, and have been entirely
silent about the divers fed industries in which
The capital OF the people, consisting of inteili-
gence, muscle and wealth, is invested.
But, alter all, has lot enough of dry detail
been stated at least TO suggest the difference be-
tween 1876 and 1886 AS you recall the history
1f hundred and ten years, observe such appar-
emily Insignificant facts as that liter weigh
ing half an ounce can be sent for five cents and
4 paper weighing two ounces for one cent from
any part OF the United States to most parts
of Europe, and that an ounce Of written
matter can be forwarded for two cents
and four ounces of printed matter for
o1e cent, from any one domestic Postoflice TO any
1ther domestic Postofce in the Republic, aud
ask yourselves what these facts mean, what
heir true significance is, and you will have food
Tor deeper aud broader reflections than most of
is ordinarily attempt. When our streets are
gay with banners and flags when humanity
puts aside Its labors, its struggles its cares, and
even its meannesses, and flows out into bright
ness and happiness; when beauty and chivalry
adorn themselves and meet under common
impulse of protection when the red, white and
blue wave their contrasted and yet harmonious
hues in long lines Of PROFESSIONS ard decorate
DEblic and private buildings when innocent
throws its impulsiye spirit into an
illery OF every S0rt fills the very air when