Middletown transcript., 1893-06-17
MoNTANA,s SILVER STATUE.

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The silver statue Of Justice, which
was modelled after the actress Ada
Rehan and contributed to the Worlds
Fair by Montana, was recently un-
yeiled at Chicago by Mrs. J. E. Rick
ards, one of the lady managers Of Inc
fair. and also the wife of Montana's
Governor who is well-known to many
Of the readers of this paper. The un-
yelling ceremonies were quite impos-
ing. Mrs. Richards who made the
principal address spoke as follows;
"This Worlds Fair is grand oc-
casion. The eyes of the clVilizea
world are turned in the direction OF
the white city, for here is seen the
greatest aggregation known to modern
civilization. The thoughtful StHdent
Of history, as he calls the long roll OF
centuries. sees illuminated in these
grand buildings the developed thought
Of progressive decade. Here ne sees
a splendid recognition of those quail
ties of civilization upon which the sue
cesses Of ages have been reared. Among
the elements combined to formulate
into symmetry this glorious whole ana
add credit to American interests 10 the
ewes of the world, is our own proud
State. Extending its gold and silver
begirdlea arm, Montana is as modest
IN pretension as she Is mighty in re-
source. to offer to the world humble
hint in this beautiful statue OF her
hidden treasures and b0undless
wealth. Since the world marveled
at the splendors of the court OF Judea,
in the prosperous era of the Holy
Land, or paid tribute to the profane
mapnificence of the Babylonian kings,
Art has contributed its energies to no
crander purpose than the creation OF
this monument to the royalty OF sill
yer. We want tito speak to the Wis
itinc thousands of an empire OF p0ssi-
bilities in every line of human effort.
Rich in every element Of self-support,
we bid it proclaim to the world that
yonder, in those grand old mountains,
fair Montana rests like an uncon-
euered queen of the continent, ar
rayed in the prodigalities of nature.
Here at the feet of this beautiful
statue. we exhibit the crude ore from
which we extract and refine the prec-
ious metals but we have nothing which
we can exhibit to show the pulsating
energies of our mining life in the
gradeur of its tremendous influences
in the great arteries of commerce.
Our gold and silver travel the wide
world over, contributing to the wealth
of nations. We are proud to be citi-
zens of Montana, and we desire to
attract the attention of the world to
the knowledge of our resources, through
this beautiful work of art. 1t is a
silver sentiment crystalized into art,
the rights of the white metal en-
bodied in statuary, Montana's s appeal to
the financial intelligence OF the world.
Its artistic contours are mutely elo-
ouent with the aspirations of our peo-
Die. They seem to speak of the un-
redeemed wealth of our virgin noun
tains. They attest the magnitude OF
an industry that has linked Montana
with the financial interests of the
world. They invite to an empire OF
resources The brain and Drawn of the
union. Montanians do not respect the
time honored idea of blindf0lded
goddess of justice. Blinded justice
has unwiseiy weighed the intirests OF
the West and torn from the brow of
the silver king his crown of glory.
Unblinded justice will weave into the
policy of the republic recognition OF
the white metal, and then the happiness
and prosperity of the people will be a
tribute to the memory of MoDtana's
contribution to the fair. Let Justice
with unbandaged eyes now grace the
Chrome. y