Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-05-02
THE CENTENNIAL AT AUDUBON.
Auspicious Services at the Court House
Patriotic Addresses and Music.

We
Auspicious Services at the Court House -.
Patriotic Addresses and Music.
The Washington Centennial was OBJ
served with citing ceremonies in Au-
dubon, April 30th, according to pre-
yious announcement except that the
Colonial inauguration was not repre-
scented as announced. This is to be re.
GREETED by all as it would doubtless
have proven very interesting feature
had 1t been properly represented. No
blame however attaches to any person
in particular for the failure OF this part
of the program. But severe sickness
In the homes Of some and absence from
the city on the part of Others who were
appointed to take part in that perfor-
nance and various conditions beyond
control, conspired to prevent the neces-
sary preparations, so that omission
was the only remedy, and while many
We're disappointed yet no doubt all who
attcpded and thus enjoyed the rest of
the already too full program, felt well
repaid for the days devotion to retro
spectiye view of our Nations first cen.
turtles history. The devotional eXer-
cises in the morning were carried out
to the letter rs previously announced
all parties performing their respective
parts In u commcndablc and satisfac-
tory manner The addresses of Rev.
Harris and W. H. Green, Esq, were in.
terrsting, instructive and thoroughly
entertaining. The former paid u beau.
tiful tribute TO the honored memory
aud cherished life work of our beloved
Washington, while the latter presented
IN forceful and unique manner Il
striking contrast between the Colonial
congress or the national leaders and
statesmen Of Washington's time, and
the illty.ilrst Congress or representative
men to day, picturing the intervening
years of political and national history
IN rather dark and gloomy standings
which would Indicate more Of rctrogrcs.
sion thai, of progress, and would tend
to impress his hearers with the belief
that his personal views of our national
affairs were really of u more pessimis.
tic character than perhaps he would
acknowledge them to be. lie uttered
many important truths however which
IL would he well for MS all as true
Americans, to ponder well and profit
by. At the same time let us still cher.
ish the belief that NIL the goodness and
virtue did not exist solely In those
grand old Colonial days TO rock the
cradle and stimulate the growth IN our
nations infancy, then die and be for
ever buried with Washington and the
great men of his time, leaving our in
FAINT nation without guardian or guide
to wander on In error To slow but sure
obstruction. The watchful eye, the
guiding hand, the unerring wisdom of
the Infinite one have been with us all
along and still endure An import
ant and interesting feature of the morn
ing program was the presentation of u
cannon, q master piece Of workman,
ship by Mr.. Geo. Keen, to the Mayor,
City council and citizens of Audubon.
The presentation was made IN behalf
of the generous donor, by DR.. j. ID.
Holmes, In neat aud appropriate
speech which was responded to In u
like fitting manner by Mayor A. +.
Armstrong: who rs u visible token OF
the high regard of the city council and
citizens Of Audubon, Tor Mr.. Keen and
his valuable gift presented him with u
silver service which at once called that
gentleman to his feet and elected from
him the maiden speech Of his life. Mr..
Keen has worked long aud faithfully
and has expended great deal of hard
earned money since coming to Audu-
bon to accomplish this one aim of Civ.
ing Audubon u good cannon Of his
own make for public use and ornament
and after several discouraging failures,
his efforts were finally crowned on cen.
telnial day with the triumphant sue.
cess for which Audubon will ever cher
ISL his memory,
The parade occurred at p. M, which
though not nearly SO large as had been
hoped for was very creditable and
made u good display, the children and
teachers Of the public schools being out
with full ranks and well organized.
After short march the procession
flied into the Court House hall which
was soon packed to overlooking, great
many being unable to gain entrance.
After the formal opening exercises
Dr. j. ID. Holmes was announced and
began the literary program of the af-
ternoon with an interesting address in
his characteristic and easy style, regret
ting the omission of the Inauguration
ceremony, deeming it of great impor.
lance to the people aud especially to
the youth, as an illustration of tho
power Of pure simplicity and honest
carnestness in public as well as private
affairs, and presenting the life and char
acter of Washington as plain, pure, yet
upright, aud uncompromising with
wrong in any form, lie characterized
government as a necessary evil which
existed only as a means of control or
prevention of transgression and oppres-
sion, and presented his ideal of flu
ture period when through the moulding
influence of the golden rule the neces-
sary EVIL of government will cease to
exist, when all shall do unto others as
they shall wish Others to do unto them.
1t was truly high ideal
Rev. Dickinson in his usual scholarly
style followed with historical address
on the life and character of Washing.
ton and the early history of our nation
from its birth in adversely, to its final