The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-07-05
and in this sp.

containing records that are intended to
edify future generations when the present
structure shall begin to moulder and new
builders shall build anew. 1t contained
copies of all the papers published in the
city including several numbers of the
EAGLE, the supplement to Harper's
Weekly containing descriptive write-up
of the city, photographs of Mayor Clement
and Colonel NJ. NJ Murdoch, city directory,
printed reports of the city officers, city
treasurer's report up to date, some current
money. a map of the city and several sealed
packages contributed by different citizens.
Colonel Emmett Callahan was then intro
duced as the orator of the day, and spoke
for forty-tive minutes, after which the
multitude dispersed.
Without designing to eXpatiate upon the
benevolent object of this day, or the cir
cumStances attending its observance,
have few reflections and sentiments, such
as | deem appropriate to the time and
place in which we are assem- bled to offer.
We have met here, mycourteOus audience,
not to kindle the fire of sectarian contro-
versy, nor TO blow up the Goals of political
animOsities: not to take sides with any re-
ligious sect, nor with any civil party.
On proper occasions il i the duty of men
to defend what we esteem to be right, and
to expose, in "A right spirit, what to us APP
pears error. There are occasions, too, on
which the people should be warned of az
gresSions upon their rights by foreign
power. or by domestic mISruIe.
But it is remote from our present feel
ings and intentions to canvas disputed
TENTS of religious faith or to enlist our
passions in the turmoil of political strife.
We should harhor no hOstilities in our
breasts: we would nurse no spark Of hellsh
Ia ...f-
upon the time and place as consecrated to
better feelings. The shoes that in the I'M
even pathway OF the world have been
soiled by the dust and mlre of contention
and rancOr, we would put off from our
feet; the ground wherein we stand,
whether we regard the occasion or the
spot, Is holy.
We are collected together today devoted
to the service OF no ruler but the Ruler of
the universe. consecrated to the peaceful
liberty of man, TO the independence of the
human intellect, TO freedom Of inquiry al 81
TO universal charity.
On this national day. when we behold a
people OF 5000, 900, extended over a coun-
try whose soil teens with fertility and
everywhere brightens in the CLEAN of q be
nignant sun upon the well-Sped plough
shire and whose rivers and harbors are
whitened with the sails Of a successful
commerce. a people in the enjoyment OF a
government the meet free. rights the most
equal and laws the most benign, a people
in the most prosperous cultivation Of the
arts and sciences, and pressing onward
and upward in a pathway of glory more
brilliant than had been conceived
in the most glowing speculsJions
Of poiictiCal wisdom. or dreamed Of in the
fondeSt reveries of political philanthropy,
when we behold all this. how can we mud
a place in our hearts for other emotions
than those of fervent gratitude N the ciu-
zen soldiers who preserved 10 u these
blessings. and Of ardent love a generation
for those distinguished worthless who
bought with their blood. and faithfully
transmitted 10 unborn generations those
precious institutions
Let Us then. with hearts warm with
pious devotion, commune with the spirits
of the mighty dead
Let Us walk among the t0mbs Of your
| departed comrades. let rs euterthe sepulCh-
er OF he past; let Us put forth cur hands
and wipe of the duSy and N 1u,d 81 forget
! fitness from the coffin lids ~ tle patriotic
1 founders OF our government
With a generous tear we VIII moisteu