The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-06-13
OUR BRIDGE.
Address of Mayor Edwin SILVER
May %, 1895.

, Of the latter part Of the nineteenth
, century are informed, the grea
, tributary of the Z" father of waters ;
has continued its ccascless flow by
your state capital, unspanned by the
art or work of man. The time ha,
come when this is to he changed
and when the great obstacle to- GU,
intercourse with our fellow. citizens
of North Missouri is to be placed
under control by the construction
across the same Of a magnificent
steel bridge at a cost of nearly
100000. This. day and occasion
commentaries that undertaking, and
is the beginning of a nov Of grea,
Importance and magnitude to our
people and of great interest to the
state. Locally it will increase your
trade, extend your commerce., add
to your wealth and advance
your political and local interests
nor will its effects be confined to the
present generation, they will he ler.
manent and enduring, and will he
shared in by those wllJ are to folio W
you and take your places In the va
rious walks of life. Further, this
enterprise will meet a public need
long existing. 1t will establish a
direct and convenient communication
with our fellow-ciiiz ms of Ncrth
Missouri, make them more accessible
to the state capital, and give per.
sonal comfort and convenience in
coming to and going from the seat
Of government of our state; and
you are TO be congratulated on the
fact that you have accomplished this
undertaking yourselves under condi.
tions net altogether favorable. On
rejecting upon it, | am forcefuIly 70.
minded of an incident related of the
ancient Romans, illustrative at once
of theic courage and patriotism. 1t
is told Of them that after suff, ring
an overwhelming defeat at the hands
OF their great enemy, Hannibal, aud
his CarthagGnian hosts, on Roman
territory and within a short distance
of Rome itself, that the price of land
greatly advanced in the Forum of
the city. So YOU, though assaiIrd
by an effort to deprive You of the
honor and advantage of remaining
the state capital of Missouri,
conferred upon you by the founders
of our state, and connected with so
Macy sacred memories and associa.
tons in the history of the state, are
proving ourselves equal to the en-
igencics OF the time, and have sue
c~essful!y inaugurated this under.
taking which refutes all imputations
on your energy and enterprise.
Permit me in this connection TO re.
eall the fact that st. Louis, the great
metropolis of the Mississippi valley
and the pride of every Missourian,
contained n population of over a
quarter of Il million of souls before
it constructed a bridge over the
" father Of waters" Think of this,
citizens Of }, ffcIsOn, and let n Just
pride animate you on this occasion.
Too much credit cannot be
ascrihpd to the directors of the bridge
company for their zeal, fidelity and
t~ireless energy. Success, at times
doubtful, always problcmatical, has
at last crowned their efforts, and
they can now enjoy the pleasing
consciousness of the communication
of their fellow citiznns. We are to.
day favored with the presence OF the
governor Of the state, who will ad.
dress YOU, and with the manifesto
ton Of faicndliucss and good will
ON the part of many citizens Of the
state, suiOuruers in our fair city.
We feel grateful for this, and trust
they will bear away with them To
their homes pleasant recollections OF
this occasion, and that the present
capital Of Missouri, named in honor
of Thomts jefferson, the immortal
author of the declaration of hide
pendence, and | might add, of the
Louisiana purchase, will always re
tain a warm place in their hearts.
Fellow citizens, the same enter
prise and energy exhibited by You
carried into other channels, will
assure your prosperity and render
you inyuincrhblo in my contest you
may be required to meet. That you
will so give further manifestations
of your energy and progressive
spirit, l feel the strongest assurance.
1t 10Y becomes my pleasant duty
to require Hon. +. H.. Binder, the
president OF the Bridge md Transit
Co, to formally begin the work Of
construction.
IlAa Enla.rinn tuEnn frnln H.