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

Remarks by Joseph Stehens, President
Of she Board ss Trade.
Joseph Stetiens, President of the Sacra-
mento Board of Trade was then intro
duced and spoke as follows:
Mr., hesident, Ladies and Gentlemen; The
grandest goal on earth for man TO reach is
where appreciation by his feAew-man assumes
perpetuating and immortalizing form.
To properly estimate the character and per-
petuate the memory of one who struggling
reaches there, is one of the greatest privileged
duties of human life.
While such distinction is well worth the win
ming, and while in ages past soE2e have secured
it, while others just as worthy have won It not,
yet, in this, our day, it takes the rebounds Of
the master strokes of a devoted life, death
stilled, 10 crystalline into lasAng. speaking
form the due appreciation of the living for the
dead.
At the first glance the eye of man sees in this
statue only a newborn tribute which the living
artist brings to Derpetuate the life and dolngs of
a departed brother artisan II is the thinking
soul of man that sees in such a work of art the
record OF the progress, trials and victories of a
successful human life, made intelligent and
ever teaching by the speaking form so fittingly
taken on by human estimation and sppreeia-
tion.
1t is well that we cannot sumnsn back the
spirits of the dead to assist in the calculations
and the summings up, for if that could be- per-
chance oftimes man monuments would, Babel
like, arise. While others planned and priced.
the most of Us would never take on shape much
less assume form so lifelike and so divine, for
il is an axiom throughout the realm of truth
that greatness of the truest type ever behind
simplicity doth hide Methinks that now see
Master Mechanic Stevens approaching from his
own home and pass in at yonder corner of this
plaza, as he was wont to do, his manner most
nnassuming, and yet his bearing dignifed and
earnest. Forward he promptly moves with
steady and measured steps, and as he ap-
proaches yon group that fills the way he turns
most gently to the right, then to the Left No one
is jostled. for individual rights he deems the
sacred boon of all, Neither does he halt nor
turn this way. He sees no statue nor gathering
OF the people of his city. He hears no martial
music, nor words of eulOgv and cOmmendation,
for as master-mind he is headed for his post of
duty and direction, and as he goes he plans and
proves his work, and gets it well in hand. Fol-
low him, if you will, for it is but step right
over yonder TO the realms he so well rules. He
issues no loud nor wordy orders, nor bulletin of
command.
To all the multitude that giories in his lead
he an example gives, and says in words most
fitting: "Do your duty and do it well.' And to
the employers turns and makes but this one ap-
peal and one request: "They doing well
their duty; appreciate them all You can"
|. At the midday hour Of this, our nations day
for giving thanks and sending greetings TO a
world, we are not here only because that traffic
bids us come and pay just tribute to one who
represented high mechanic art, but we would
humbly bow with you and join in worship at
the shrine at which he knelt so often and so
long, TO offer just devotion to the spirit of mans
creative genius, which is allied SO closely to the
divine.
But why continue more to follow I'D the per-
petuation of a worthy life, or call to our aid the
help of marble blocks that crumble and decay
and metal forms that rust and fall, unless we
profit by these acts of love and memory and
pledge anew to do the work to which we all
were born-to well perform the daily duties of a
right and useful life. True it is, that death
closes the volume of our daily life, declares the
book and hero turned to dust, and midst their
ashes writes his summing up: THE day has
gone, the night has come lo the end ~
But then it is that intelligent immortal life
with its wand OF due appreciation resurreets the
hero of the busy yesterday gives the story and
the book new and worthy form, points to the
open page that tells of the hero's victories, and
bids us read it by the starlight of mans deeds
well doue, and while man bends to read there
suddenly glows from out between the lines in
words like living fire this revelation new This
is but mans beginning Behold the morning
cometh; live forever, worthy man"