The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-05-03

In accordance with the act OF Congress,
the Proclamation of the President and
Governor, Owosso celebrated in o fitting
manner on Tuesday the centennial of the
Inauguration of George Washington as
President of the United States
The celebration began in Owosso with
exercises in several of the school rooms
on Monday afternoon. Tuesday morning
found nearly all the business places in the
city closed.
Religious services were held at the Epis-
copal and Disciples churches. The services
at the Episcopal Church were conducted by
Rev. DIR. Conover, assisted by Rev. Davies.
Quackenbush Post attended this church in
a body.
In the evening the Opera House was
crowded to its utmost capacity, and many
We're turned away unable to gain admittance.
clergy, speakers and the Mozart Club. The
exercises were opened with a song by the
Mozart Club, followed by prayer by
Rev. Conover. Hon. w. M. Fitzpatrick
chairman of the meeting, delivered the ex-
cellent address printed below. Following
this was music by the club, and then the
address of Hon. Jerome w. Turner, (which
we had intended to print in this issue, but
space forbids) one of Mr.. Turner's best
efforts and in every way fitting to the occa-
sion. Rev. FIR. DOMAIN was to have deliv-
cred an address but was detained at home
by sickness, much to the disappointment
of the audience. The meeting was dis
missed with the benediction pronounced by
Rev. Cults. The singing of the Mozart
club, headed by G. G. Duff, added great
deal to the enjoyment of the occasion.
MIR. KILPATRIcK's ADDRESS.
The Inauguration of the first president of
the United States, the event we meet here
to commemorate, enacted just century ago
this day, in the city of New York, unlike
most events in the history of nations, aug
ments in significance as the receding hand
of time carries us away from the important
period.
And standing here today on the threshold
of the second century of our nations life,
and looking back through the fast receding
years to those who against the powers of
powerful nation, by self-sacrifce, herOism
and unparalleled patriotism, made good to
future generations the words and spirit of
the Declaration Of Independence that formed
nucleus, around which gathered all the
radical elements of patriotism, independence
and virtue of the times; and formed basis
for the nation to build upon in its infancy,
and securely stand upon i'm the fullness of
its perfection. With manly and laudable
pride i'm the land in which we live, and I'M
der the government they formed, we may
lay aside the cares of the day, and celebrate
the anniversary of the Inauguration of the
great loyal man, the first president of the
American Republic, George Washington.
Take from the shelf of time, the book of
the past century, and turning back over its
one hundred well-thumbed leaves from the
title pages, read the history of the country
from the surrender of Cornwall at Yorktown
to the 30th of April, 1889, and we find an
uncertain if not chaotic condition, following
the successful revolution of the colonies,
bound together only by temporary confed-
Grafton for present protection.
Largely independent of each other, the
colonies found themselves freed from the
control of powerful nation, not only to
war in an unequal contest, but the dangers
arising from the doctrine of states rights,
which was held by one party OF faction, dur
ing the agitation preceding the adoption of
the constitution of the United States. And
even threatened the consumation of the gov
eminent under the constitution, which de-
clared that: ''We, the people of the United
States, i'm order to form more perfect
union, establish justice, insure domestic
tranquility, provide for the common defence,
promote the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity, do ordain and establish this con-
Thus the wise and patriotic men, who
framed the constitution, set forth the objects
of what was to follow; and to this end they
brought all their learning and patriotic
zeal.
And yet so strong was the sentiment in
some of the states against cOnceding the
rights therein granted the general govern
ment, that on March 4th, 1889, all had
not adopted the constitution and thus for a
time became free and Independent states.
The key note to the constitution had been
sounded in the Declaration of independence,
which the philosophy of Franklin, the force
of Mexican, the intrepid loyalty of John
Hancock, and the eloquence of Patrick
Henry had determined the continental con-
gress to adopt
Never since those who spoke by inspra-
ton had men uttered words of so great i'm
port, and that should go down through the
coming ages, as the embodiment of the rul-
ing principle of all just government as con-
tanned in the Declaration of Independence.
Its effect and importance to mankind has
proven beyond that of the great Magma
Charta, the bulwark of English liberty,
forced from the reluctant King John i'm the
year 1915, amid the pomp and splendOr of
military display, on the meadow of Runny-