The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-10-08

Let us on this day render to their lofty worth
our highest praise and grateful acknowledge
ments.
In the early part of my remarks l spoke of the
intense patriotism of the early settlers. Let me |
add that they were the worthy representatives of
the two states from whence they came. Con- l
necdcut and Massachusetts, furnished IoI, $40 of
the total number of regular soldiers in the of
the Revolution, out of a total 233,77I for the |
whole Union. To comment upon such a splen- |
did fact would be supertluous.
l greatly regret in the brief period have had |
to give this address, have been unable to make |
some fitting reflections upon that greater country
of which we are citizens, the United States of
America. That is theme worthy of poet his
torian and painter. country OF A sovereign
stateS commanding every wholesome variety of
soil and climate a bounteous SOIL an area almost
boundless with single states and territories large
enough to make half dozen empires of the old
world, the earth teeming with inestmable wealth
in COAL iron, copper, zinc gold, silver and other
minerals. A country washed by two great
oceans filled with mighty lakes and rivers, COW
cred with railroads. teegraphs and telephones
thriving villages and towns, opulent cities and
combining all the elements of the best CivtliZa-
ton of the nineteenth century. How highly
should we prize our citizenship Our country is
the richest and most prosperous on the globe.
| Its population has reached $4,000, 900 souls.
The extent of its commerce, agriculture and
manufactures surpasses that of any nation. We
are a world to ourselves.
| In 700 years the growth, development and
power Of the United States makes a history of
wonders more remarkable than any tale of Alad
din. In 1860 our wealth was valued at SIG, ,I6o,-
100000. In 1850 at S43 .642, ,ooo, 900, or as Mr..
| Strong says, more than enough to buy the
Russian and Turkish Empires, the Kingdoms Of
Sweden and Norway Denmark and Italy,
together with Australia, South Africa and all
South America, lands, mines, cities, palaces,
factories, ships, floCks, herds, Jewels, money,
thrones, scepters, diadems and all the entire
possessions of 77ooo, 600 people" Great
Britain is the richest nation in the old world,
and our wealth exceeds hers by S276 ooo, 900.
Vet 1t is said only IS of our arabic land is under
cultivation. and the larger part of our mineral
wealth undeveloped.
Few of our people realize the enormous ex-
tent of our territories and states west of the
Mississippi. Not counting Alaska, l cannot dc
better than quote from the same author in de-
, scribing the gigantic extent Of some of our pos
! sessions
montana would stretch from Boston on thu
east to Cleveland on the west. and extend fa
l enough south to include Richmond, Va. 1dah'
/ if laid down in the east, would touch Toronto
Y Canada, on the north and Raleigh S. c., on th
r south, while its southern boundary line is long
E enough to stretch from Washington City t.
Columbus, o., or in Europe would extend from
> London across France and into Spain. New
, Mexico is larger than the united kingdom o
V measurement of Texas is nearly equal to tn
; distance from New Orleans to Chicago. or frou
, Chicago to Boston. Lay Texas on the face o
: Europe, ant this giant with his head resting o.
Y the mountains of Norway directly east of tn
c Orkney Islands,, with one palm covering Lon
don. the other Warsaw, would stretch himsel
. | down across the Kingdom OF Denmark acros
p the Empires of Germany and Austria, acrOs
Il Northern Italy and land his feet in the Medit
Is terranean - Yet this is but single State in th
t. Union. Dakota is enormous that it is sale
d lit can be carved into half-dozen kingdom
T. like Greece, or if divided into 26 equal countie
II we might lay down the two Kingdoms of IsraC
d and Judah in each.''
= ''PIace the SC. GOO, 600 of inhabitants of tn
r. United States in 1851 all in Texas and the pol
of ulation would not be as dense as that of Gel
u many. Texas could have produced a
Ill our food crops in 1879, could have raised tt
Is worlds supply of cotton, 12 600 900 bales, coun
ing one bale to the acre, and then have had ft
tn cattle range territory larger than the Sta
f of New York;
OF The Constitution of the United States franc
OF and adopted at time when 13 petty States We
st struggling with the overwhelming dilliculti
that surrounded them, has proved superior
Iv every trial and stands today shining mon
= ment to the wisdom of our forefatherS IT
nS longer live, the deeper become my convictio
us that the lllustriOus Statesmen who formed OF
lie Constitution, defined the charter our libertit
assigned to the States and the nation their Sc
he eral duties and privileges. harmonlzing riv
ot and conflicting interests. and creating =. an i
n were the wisest, most patriotic. unselfish al
u remarkable body of men ever convened to CO
nd slider the destinies of any people. For a til
= the colonies seemed about to perish in the uSin
IL The Divine hand which our ancestors believ
pIloted them through the Revolution, q clio
, a | by day and pillar of fire by night,'' a
he parently withdrawn and the future was clou
i, | ed with jealouSies, divisions. distrust a
M - selfish locat interests. Grim prophets of e.
ly all over the world forboded our certain destru
n tion; and enemies of liberty looked forwa
rs, | with delight to the downfall of the totteri
ar Republic. But under an unseen PrOviden
roe | these gifted and heroic men to whom we o.
- our matchless Constitution, saw the impendi
Us, a giant nation sprang into existence, whC
lat blessings we this day ENJOY. The fame of the
To noble men is Immortal. They mover
- | forgotten quoting the words of Daniel Webs
| speaking OF another bright eXamplr }, " thar
zy their names had been written in letters of lis
ere the fleiades.''
.rr OF the future of our country, its peIils.
- promise of good. | must rot speak. Time "
IN not permit me to go on
oW l Colciu my brief, imperfect remarks W
ng this extract from the last milit-ry order
ice w aShinSton. prii ISth, 1888, dIrec ing that
,ce hostilities cease between the armies of
~ United States and the King of Great Brita
~ The sentiments are as suitable today as IL
ird were on that bright morning when the triuml
all ant nation found itself in the of victory
nu Happy, thrice happy shall they be pronou
ed hereafter who have contributed anythi
" who have performed the meanest offices
erecting this stupendouS fabric of freedom
OF empire the broad basis Of Independent
to who have assisted in protecting the righ;
the human nature and establishing an asvlum
~ the poor and oppressed of all nations and
0F ligious ="
ing Thanking you for your patient attention.
he realizing that we shall all never meet again
ley our earthly pilgrimage. L will say hail
the FAREWELL