Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-29

astounding fact that iliIteracy is on the increase
in these United States from urging the com
pHlsory education of children. and that upon a
more practical common sense basis than our pet
systems of to-day.
Am I digressing? No, my friends. this day,
| these ceremonies, this statue We to-day unveil
will fail of their object if we are not made more
mindful OF the past, more thoughtful for the
future, To-day we pay fitting reward for life
OF unselfsh devotion to the mechanic arts
and those engaged in mechanical pursuits.
Erected and to be unveiled by the unaided
etolts of the sons oftoil, will it not make cycle
in the history oflabor? viii it not even stand
as an inspiration from which the old viii draw
new vigor, and the young a mueh-needed en-
couTagement2 By it we will be reminded that
by and through the energy, mechanical genius
and wise administration of one man, this whole
people has been benefited. Look around you
throughout this whole city are scattered pretty
and comfortable homes 1t is indeed a city of
homes, city of domestic happiness. Look
again at our many large, we'll appointed and
commodious sehOol-houses and we are reminded
that education is not neglected, and though, as
we have suggested, many changes and reforms
in the methods OF education are imperatively
demanded. yet the evidence is before the OBJ
server OF desire for that intellectual training
so necessary to our happiness and comfort aud
the intelligent discharge OF our duties as citizens
OF Tree and liberal Government. Is this con-
dltl0n not due in great measure to him whom
we this day honor2 Had his position been oc-
cupled by WeaK, vaclllating, easy-gOing man,
with hardly energy enough to keep the cobwebs
from accommodating around him, would you to-
day see so many evidences of comfort among
the people2
Did we not one and all, rely in great meas
ure upon his energy, his push and his genius?
Have we not all of us felt that he took upon
himself for our sakes labor, anxiety and respon-
siblllty that many another man would have
carefully avoided2 Was his death not haStened
by the conscientious interest he took in the bus
mess intrusted to him, and his laboTs for those
around him2 Can any one in this assemb call
to mind q piece of work being sent out OF the
n he finished Mr
within the reach of our own mechanics?
1t is a well known fact that when our own
private shops have been lacking in facilities for
doing certain heavy work. Mr.. Stevens came to
the rescue and prevented the work and money
spent upon it from leaving the city. What
member of your improvement Association
would voluntarily take upon himself the thank
less task of designing and constructing man.
moth steam pump which, on account of pseu-
liar circumstances of location and duty TO be
performed, must be entirely different from any
thing before made? silence answers, he is out
of town. Yes, and ever will be.
AS we look upon that ponderous but symmetri-
cal machine we enjoy sensation OF pride and
respect. fTide in the fact that it is the work of
our own patternmakers, molders, blaeksmiths,
machinists and painters Respect for the ge-
MUS, ability and unselfish devotion of the
builder Paying for that pump was but redis-
tributing its cost among ourselves. The necessity
for new pump is daily growing more and
and more imperative. Why do we discuss the
merits and dement's of the Knowles, the Worth
we cannot build pumps? Is it because our me-
chanics are not skillful enough? Is it because
someone wants tip? No, my friends, we can
build pumps; our mechanics are skilliul in a
high degree; our Trustees are honest men.
Then why, why does not someone suggest the
propriety of building our own pumps, thereby
assisting our own ofttlmeS unemployed me-
chanics, who in either case must bear their pOr-
tion of the cost? From the past the answer
comes You met in honor of him who
would have done it had he lived.
In this world, where selishness and envy
reign supreme and the lust of gold subordinates
all finer qualities of men, it is rarely man of
Mr.. Stevens exceptional merit is met with Is
it not fitting that we honor such a man? Does
he not deserve better than we have done
Why is it that we send abroad for those things
we are so capable of building ourselves? What
need have we to send to neighboring towns for
castings, Tor wrought-iren work, aye and some
times woodwork, to be used in our new build
ings and the improvement of old ones Is it
not a cosmetic principle. gentlemen, this beau
tifying our city without giving thought TO the
very people on whom the city depends so largely
for its growth and prosperity? Is it not an arti-
fetal beauty not the b'oom of health?
Why can we not build our own street-cars?
Our niekels must pay for them. Think! You OF
the Improvement Association, and you of the
Board of Trade. Think Look up and lift up.
Be not contented 10 act as guides to higher
plane, but put your own wealth, genius and
energy to the wheel. and it will speedily roll
out of the deep rut into which it has settled.
Be careful lest weighed in the balance with
one solitary man you are found wanting.
May this statue work upon Us and those who
may follow in our footsteps, to our good and the
good of the whole people. AS we read the in
scriptioDs Labor is entitled to a just reward"
"Well directed genius elevates the people"
Think Look up and lift up" let us bear in
mind that he who takes them for his guide as
completely as did our honored dead, cannot
fail to win the admiration and love of those
around him.
And now. Mr. Mayor, on behalf of the men
who have, with hearts Overhowing with graft
tude and thankfulness conceived and carried
to completion the statue of that large-hearted
man of genius, in whose eyes true worth took
precedence over all affiliations of party sect or
creed; to that man who permitted no favoritism;
to him who never turned deaf ear to the cry
OF distress; who never wronged man but he
righted that wrong: to him who was the friend
of labor and good government do now present
to the city of Sacramento. through you its hon
ored official head, our memorial
In presenting this statue, which not only adds
to the adornment of our fair city, but will stand
as a constant monitor to the young, that in the
paths of industry and genius the highest honor
may be attained, we feel confident that it will
be carefully guarded and preserved.
THE STATUE UNCOVERED.
The choir then rendered the following
invocation, written by Israel Luce:
Around this monumental pile,
We gather friends, with memories dear,
Of one whose highest hope and wish,
The worlds advance mans path to cheer
He sought not honors from the great,
Nor asked he favors from the proud;
He strove to have man, as a man,
The very image of his cd.
To do to others, as he would
To see himself. as others saw
His goods bestowed in time of need
To him i'll all his life was law.
The world was better for that life,
Than e'er it would, had it not been;
May we by his example thrive,
And in our death, like memories win.
His work shall last while time rolls on,
His memory live Though not in stone),
In hearts made glad by actions done;
Known and approved by God alone.
Then drop with me the silent tear,
AS here, we tear the vail away;
In hopes that we, with him may find
Eternal joy in endless day.
AT the conclusion of the ode the statue
was uncovered by Julia Hooper, daughr er
of the late Charles B. Hooper, which was
the signal for loud applause: