Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-05-28


blossomed and sprang into the fairest spot in the
world, and Is now q ccmely matrol bringing
forth fruits from its inexhaustable soil,
natural resources and er-abundance OF
life's requisite elements. He then presented
the beautiful medal to Col. Morgan of Quanah
Col. Morgan. one of the Panh ndle's orators,
replied in speech re plete with facts of the de-
yelopment of the Panhandle, and paid 3
high tribute to the young giant that guards the
Wichita county and its presiding genius. How
ard, that they had better look to their laurels.
"Sit hrm in your saddle" he said. ''down
with your visor, and hold your lance in rest, for
we mean to unhorse you. The youthful giant
viii ride you down. 8"
Col. Morgan's speech was well received, and
the Panhandle people were among the proudest
and hsppiest that mixed with the eager throng at
the great Karporama.
At the close of Col. Morgans address, Presi-
dent Paddock stepped to the front and intro
duc ed bir. IT. A Wilkerson as the Imam who
signed the first money for the Palace, who paid
j. frst and who worked hardest through it all
And even then he not satisfied, - he said,
but when it was done he sat down and wrote
poem. which be will now read" The poem is
given in full.
Respectfully dedicated 70 the workers, one
and all. who built the Texas Spring Balace:
IT'S said that all ages go round one course
Merely circle; by some blind force,
The same as therace has trod before,
History recurring as OF yore.
But science teaches far more than this;
Each age must add to human bliss,
And spi-al-like we circle higher;
The soul e'er prompted by new desire.
We have read Of the land OF the Fairies so fair;
But this Palace of beauty is far more rare;
Ills actual life IT'S the soul released
From may dream TO an actual feast.
IT'S facts accomplished beyond dream,
OF the fondest hope, or the widest scheme,
Aladdin's lamp we did not need,
To furnish the workmen, or quicken their speed.
withcrsft and fairies are phantoms Of mind,
Bonds and letters TO keep US blind;
Cropping ohsprings OF superstition,
Dlspelled by the wand OF erudition.
Oft were they conjured in times gone by.
To stamp on the soul baneful lie.
To frighten the timid, to nerve the brave,
To trouble the Numbering dead in the grave.
To guard a dogma, to force a creed,
To tax the poor, to aid the greed
OF kings and rulers, who owed their power,
To the wild credulity of the hour.
But the time has come when the clearest light,
May illumine the soul, without alright.
No priest shall say, thou shalt not think;
For braveiy we stand on the very brink
OF every chasm to be spsnned by man,
And freedom bids MIN leap who can.
The genius OF Edison-electric Ere,
Moves him to rise still higher and higher.
And as he flashes some new born truth,
u quis kens the mind Of every youth;
And there's more of life in an hour to-day
Than q month of cropping in the dark old way.
So to this Palace with its newborn beauty,
Win augment our sense of life and duty;
Gems in this temple are what they seem;
IT'S no false fiction, no passing dream.
IT'S the neucleus, the heart of this great state;
A theme to inspire both small aad great;
An ideal, standard; something TO stand
As a copy for all in this fair land.
Hence into the fields we braTely march,
Il .pr1r and
Into product pictures we neatly combine
The beautiful flowers; the tendril, and vine.
Love Of our state is the only wand
We use in her service; with heart and hand
Her full identity we shall command
From the people Of this most glorious land
Brave President Paddock has patiently won
The honor Of having most nobly done
His every duty, both small and great,
lie now offers this tribute to his state.
The humblest man in this grand work,
Who did his duty and did not shirk.
But worked with true success in view
Deserves special mention too.
For whether we work with chisel or pen,
The finishing touches are only when
After Killing the veil. from marble or clay,
The laborer brushes the dust away.
'Tisthus in life. tits thus in death,
The laborer serves our latest breath;
He'drops on our coffin the parting clod,
Fair womsn's work each eye can see,
Adorns these halls Delightfully."-.
The wand-like touch of her delicate hand,
Had tint and color at her command.
The pleasing views are her heart revealed,
And q Wonisn's heart is the nations shield;
But the Elgin band, what shall we say7
We sit entranced, and hear it play.
Like the subtle ether that pervades all space,
1t swells with Joy this besuteous place;
Wave after wave sweeps DER the SOUL
'Tili we feel we have reached that happy goal.
Where sorrow ceases and music sublime
Carries the soul beyond the realms OF time.
So may our work thus nobiy done
Be revived again in 81.
1t is seldom that a man has an opportunity of
participating in an occasion so replete with that
which is most interesting to him, the song OF
praise in honor of bis country, coming from the
hearts of men whose sincerity he is made to feel.
With the close of Mr.. Wilkinson's poem the ex-
ercises ended. 1t was the greatest day for Texas
\ nd the Spring Palace ever witnessed by the peo-
lie,