The Russellville Democrat., 1893-05-18
large delegations from every city in
the territory alighted and
THE pRocEagTON FORMED
1cEssIoN FORMED.


large delegations from every city in
the territory alighted and
THE PROCESSION FORMED.
The Norman band was given the
place of honor and led the parade.
Next Gene the Oklahoma City band,
Board of Trade band, carriages con-
tanning Governor Seay, Mr.. Renfrow,
the reception committee, citizens in
carriages and on horseback. Grand
Marshal Roberts led the procession
up Oklahoma avenue to Second, to
Harrison, to Division, to Oklahoma,
and the government acre.
Crowds OF people lined the streets,
and bands alternating kept con-
tinuous flow of music. and the cheer
ing for the old and new executives
made the parade a continual ovation.
Following Governor Seay's adj
dress which was frequently inter
rupted by laughter and cheers came
more music. Judge Cunningham
then introduced the new governor,
the man the people had come to see,
hear and do honor.
Upon being introduced Mr.. Rem
frow came forward and in a strong,
clear voice spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Fellow Citizens of Okla
homa, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Having been engaged in business pur-
suits all my life, and being nnaccustom-
ed to appearing before audiences In the
capacity of speech maker, | am not an
orator and could not deliver a speech
upon this occasion if | were to attempt
it. And the fact that the appointment
as governor came to me unsought ana
unthought of, like clap of thunder from
a eloudless sky, but three days ago, so
completely surprised me that | have
hardly had time to think of anything
except the great responsibility that Will
rest upon me in the discharge of my du-
ties as your governor.
| rejoice with you, my fellow citizens,
not on account of the selection the pres
idenU has seen fit to make, for God
knows feel that the great honor might
have fallen to the lot of some man ADLER
and more worthy than myself, but that
in his wisdom he has recognized that in
this new but great territory we are ca
pable of self government, and that we
have men able to guide the ship OF
state, however unworthy the first APP
pointment may have been bestowed.
One of the last acts of the national leg
islature approved by President Cleve-
land, under his former administration,
had included in it clause opening Ok
lahoma to white settlement. At that
time it a was barren waste, but the
sturdy yeomanry of the surrounding,
states came with determination to sue
cead that could not be satisfied by any
thing short of success, and to-day Okla
homa blossoms as the rose.
With progress uneXampled in the
history of the world and people equal
to every emergency, let us hope that
among the first acts of congress APPROX
ed by that great commoner and states
man, under his present administration,
will be one admitting Oklahoma into
the sisterhood of states.
/ am about entering upon the dis
charge of my duties as governor, and in
doing so | realize that | will be not your
ruler, but your servant, and that if the
servant is successful in his labors you
will prosper and be happy. And if
there be those who expect that my adj
ministration will be made in the interest
of any particular clique, class, faction
section or locality, beg to assure you in
advance you will be disappointed. 1t
will be my aim to be the governor of the
whole territory, and of the whole peo-
pie, and in the distribution of the pat
ronage dispensed by the governor men
will be recognized solely upon the |
ground of merit, and in no instance be- |
cause the applicant was so fortunate or
as to have been born in any |
particular state or section. Let us not |
forget that we are Oklahomans first, last |
and all the time.
feel that each individual in the ter
ritory is interested personally in the |
success Of my administration to the end |
that it may be successful. Task the sup
port of each one OF You. | know that
no one is infallible and that | must nee
essarily make mistakes, but that none
may be grieyous | place my trust in the
Ruler of the Universe and beseech Him
10 give me wisdom and courage to do
the right under all circumstances.
/ thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for
this manifestation OF patriotism, and
trust that ! may have the pleasure Of
meeting you often.
Governor Renfrow was listened TO
with marked attention and his
speech was punctuated with hearty
applause throughout. His was
sympathetic audience as we'll as an
one, and when he closed
the applause was loud and contin-
ned
Then came the event the people
lad been waiting for, the grand eli
max of the days celebration,
ADMINISTERING THE OATH OF OFFICE
% the new governor. With heads
uncovered Chief Justice Green and
Mr. Renfrow stood before the people
when with uplifted hands the solemn
words were spoken that made Presi-
lent Cleveland's choice of Oklaho-
mas ruler the governor in fact as
veil as in name.
This called for renewed cheering,
md the enthusiasm of the democrats
new no bounds. Governor Rem !
row bowed his acknowledgements
o his new constituency