The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-06-06
ADDRESS OF MAJ j. [. BIT
FINGER.
At the jefferson city Bridge
Celebration May %, '95

marks the opening of a new chapter
in the history of the capital city of
this imperial state. The work you
begin today is in my judgment des.
tined TO have a most important infiu-
ence upon your future growth and
destiny. The bridging Of the Mis-.
souri, river at this point will connect
you directly with all the northern
portion Of the state. One new en-.
terprise brings on another, and al.
ready the project of extending the
Missouri Pacific branch to a connec-
ton with the southwestern portion
of the state is well under way.
When the people work unitedlv
and with determination for o
common purpose, To a common end,
they seldom fail to achieve success.
When it was first announced that
it would be necessary 10 raise by
public subscription the sum Of $780,
900 in order to secure the building
of n bridge, few people outside of
jefferson City believed that any such
amount could be obtained. !oubt
if any city in the west of like pop
ulation could have secured hv vol.
untary contributions SO great a sun
for such an enterprise. But o
have raised it, and the enthusiasm
and magnificent demonstration of
today is evidence that you will push
forward the work to 81 e,dy and sue.
ces.ful completion.
Representatives here assembled
from every county in the state offer
congratulations on the marvellous on.
terprise you have shown. We will
20 home and tell our constituents
that our capital city is awake. thor
oughIy imhued with the spirit Of
progress, and that soon every citizen
of this mighty commonwealth will
take a just pride in her growth and
prosperity.
This city has to-day one of the
most beautiful and picturesque Ioca
tons on this continent for u CAPITAL.
In a few years the genius of the
landscape artist will transform her
rugged and rocky hills into one of
the most charming sites on earth,
and the architect will design and
cree. thereon splendid homes for
opulent, cultured aud refined resi-
dents. With these will come the de.
sire for and appreciation of all the
refinements and luxuries of life that
education and wealth make possible
for the denizens of earth. But 4
few years must pass when this trans
formation will come, when every resi-
dents of this beautiful capital will b,
proud to register when he goe,
abroad as from jefferson City, Mo,
l confess, follow citizens, tina
while it has been the habit of man,
to deride the capital as a non.pro
gressive, sleepy place, l have Away
had all affection for il, and have eve
predicted for it u splendid future
The dawn of that bright destiny IL
gins to-day. Its full fruition som
of us may not live to see, but ther
are many gathered here now who's
: eyes will gaze upon Its full blaze G
f glory.
l trust that every Missourian ha
within his heart both sentiment an
= patriotism, for a people witho,
these are unfit to live in a c~ivilize
country. around this spot clustt
many associations calculated to il
spire sentiment and patriotism
On yonder hill, and in that capitl
building, have assembled in counc
during the years that have gor
many mel who are now renoWpe
e historic characters. They mac
their reputation there, and by the
Il wisdom, their service and the
!. eloquence conferred honor upon IL
commonwealth. J., for one, fe
proud of the fame they achieve,
q and of the records they made in II
service Of the state. The associate
. of the capitol with the names an
- records of these men should
- sacred in the heart of every tr,
" Missourian. On the hills Of Jefe
!, son let the capitol stand forever, j
is foundations firm as the rock of age
This city was named in honor
"a Thomas Jefferson, third president
the United States, n Of the mo
"a illustrious aud wisest of America
= statesmen, whose foresight acquire
, and joined to the republic all IL
ar vast region west of the Mis,issip,
river. The fact alone that this Gil
p bears his name should fix it as II
70 capital for this commonwealth 4
# all time.
ID Every intelligent citizen of Mi
al rouri is today prom OF h'r wonds