Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-07-05

from Lexington TO Yorktown, this
man. bearing aloft the sacred ark In
which was bound up the liberties OF his
country. never for moment doubted the
successful issue OF the struggle. never Tor
moment DOUBTED the favor of God. Who
can doubt that Washington was Gods in
strument for the deliverance Of a people
and the establishment for his own wise
purpose upon the western continent OF
mighty nation. Great as Washington was
in war, he was greater yet in peace After
four years of rest he came from Mount
Vernon by appointment OF his State TO
preside over the deliberations OF the con-
vention 10 formulate the Constitution Of
the United States.
Mr.. Stevenson rapidly sketched the
events preceding and leading up TO the con-
stitution and the necessity therefor, and
said:
What commentary upon this handi-
work of Washington and his compeers that
Notwithstanding our population has been
augmented moro than twenty fold and the
western horder ofthe Republic transferred
from the Alleghenies 10 the Pacific ocean,
vet one hundred and three years have wit
messed but Is amendments engrafted upon
our organic law as 1t came from the hands
OF It's trainers.
tue kECutCcb AAAht 4'hAta1AA
statesman, has well said
"The American Constitution is the most
wonderful work ever struck OF az given
time by the brain and purpose OF man.
Truly did Lord Brongham declare Wash
ington 10 have been the wisest man any
country or age had produced. Was Il
MacAulev who declared Washington and
his compeers, "Nobles By the right OF an
earlier inheritance and priests by the I'm
position OF a mightier hand"
Mr.. Stevenson then spoke or the splen-
did achievements OF our country during It's
first century and said we are rapidly ap-
preaching the maste.ful hour when within
the borders OF this commonwealth, In Chs-
cogo-itself the marvel OF the age-will be
celebrated the four hundredth anniversary
of the discovery Of the American continent
do not hesitate 10 say that Ia all that con-
stitutes true grandeur, no event compara-
BILE 10 this has occurred Ia any land or any
age. To Chicago-a slngls lifetime aHo
a hamlet, now the metropolis Of
the western world-will DO gath
cred the products of the sea
OF the loom, Of the soil. and OF the
mlnes-aye. the products OF the brain OF all
lands and climes. In these garnered treas
ures, wrought out by hand and brain, dur
ing centuries OF toll, all nations will pay
sition which marks the matchless progress
of people, no less than the discovery OF
continent.
But what OF the futureof our Republicl
As IL was permitted the great leader Of
Israel TO view, though not 10 enter the
promised land, so may we with tho eye OF
faith and in the light OF history. see this
favored land as 1t will appear whom an
other century shall have added 10 its popn-
lation, its treasures aud its beauties. State
after State will have sprung into being
cities vet unborn will be- the marts OF busy
trade; vessels laden with the commerce OF
the world will cover our navigable waters.
plain and forest will have been made Ia
blossom rs the rose; tho railroad and tho
telegraph will have wrought wonders ID
the social elevation OF this great people.
The realization will be more glorious than
prophets have predicted or the widest fan
cy has portrayed.
To-day, fellow citizens, enjoying liberty
in the largest degree In this favored land,
our thoughts turn 10 unfortuna 'Ssclapd,
the ancestral home or 50 mayo. -
trymen. Oppressed oy merciless exac-
tjons. with cruel laudlordism tho heritage
of each succeeding generation, yet strug-
Cling against odds for larger measure OF
freedom ireland challenges at once our
sympathy aud admiration. May we not
believe that the morning OF a brighter day
IL soon TO dawn on that gallant people, and
that the fruits OF centuries OF suffering viii
be to them Individual freedom and nome
rule
We have entered now upon the second
century OF our National life. God grant
that we, and those who succeed Us may
not prove unworthy ofthose who have gone
before: that we may not be unmindful OF
the sublime lessons OF the past, then may
we boassured that the bright sun which
ushers i'm the second centennial OF this re-
public. will look down upon q people who
celebrate this day with hearts gratefutto
God that those who guarded and strength
ened will be counted worthy 70 be named
with those who founded this government