Omaha daily bee., 1895-06-29


labor and commercial prospects, and hoped
that the people OF Nebraska would all pull
together to build up the state and multiply
its advantages.
JOHN l.. WEBSTER FOLLOWED.
Prolonged applause greeted the governor at
the completion Of his remarks. The toast
master next introduced John L. Webster as
the Cicero Of the Platte" which caused that
gentleman to blush with evident embarrass-
ment.
John L. web8ter's response to "a Brilliant
Star in the Galaxy of States" was;
"When Nebraska knocked at the door Of
the union we had but 5000 voters, and only
$50 majority that wanted this star then
placed on the national flag. It came to con-
gress with the word white" in It's consti-
tuition. There arose a strong debate as to
whether 1t should be accepted or rejected,
and Il was not admitted until by solemn act
Of its legislature, which mad the force and
effect of organic law, that It should never
make any distinction in citizenship on ac-
count OF race or color. 1t was out OF that
debate that the principle was established,
never to be overthrown, that none OF the
states then in rebellion and no new state
should come into the union except under
the principle Of the American flag that its
inhabitants should be free, and that black
and white should stand on the high plane OF
brotherhood as declared in the Declaration
OF Independence and that all men were ere
ated free and equal. In that contest In the
United States senate there were such men
as Judge Trumbull and Richard Yates OF HI
nois, Judge Edmunds OF Vermont, Doolittle
OF Wisconsin Hendricks Of Indiana, Bucka-
lew Of Pennsylvania, Fessendon Of Maine
Charles Sumner of Massachusetts and ster-
ling Ben Wade Of Ohio. 1t was in the last
OF these that Nebraska found its champion
to whom IL became indebted more than to all
others for its admission a state. The
proclamation announcing the admission OF
Nebraska into the union had attached to 1t
the signature of William II. Seward, secre-
tary of state, Of the noblest statesmen
pP nlI Whom | think the lives and
history Of these great men, who had so much
to do with the birth of our statehood, | can
truly say that Nebraska came into the union
and its star took It's place on the blue at the
will OF the sagest of American statesmen,
who then ctood as her godfather, and to
whose memory Nebraska must ever be faith
full and patriotic.
Nebraska was small then, but she Is
great now. In that day there were but six
Of all the northern states that had popula-
tion equal to that now settled upon our broad
prairies. When the federal constitution was
adopted there was but a single state that
had one half our present population, and
most of them had less than one-fourth. Yet
as out Of these small states there was laid
the foundation for our government, Ne
braska can be proudly hopeful that she too
shall accomplish great things.
Nebraska cannot point like Massachusetts
TO a Lexington, a Concord, or a Bunker HILL
She cannot like Virginia point to illustrious
presidents like Washington or Jefferson
metropolitan city like New York
But she can point to all her tillable acres
and her rich soil, which will produce the
food for millions, and her lands which may
become the home of a million more. She can
point to her Intellectual and educational
system, which has given us a smaller per-
centnge of lliteracy than any state from the
Atlantic to the Pacific. She can point to a
thrifty people, to her churches and colleges
which temper the mind to stand adversely,
and are the foundation and hope of future
prosperity. She can point to her patriotic
sentiment that shall never falter or shake
when tempest Of trouble may roll about
her, in the severity of the storm.
"She stands midway between the east and
west the north and south. Should trying
hours come in the future history Of our
country, she must stand as the main mast
OF the ship, her sails must be set to the
wind and carry us to safe harbOr. Should
sectional strife ever again arise, its conten-
lions may roll about us and enclrcle our
borders on side or the other. but this
middle ground they must never cross. 1t
will be our strng arm and patient purpose
to still the troubled waters and wave the
flag of peace and keep the nation true to its
course. We are central and pivotal point,
from which should dverge nothing but the
highest and purest patriotism.
"Nebraska's star Is already bright; 1t will
grow brighter, and in the twentieth century
1t will become the brightest star in the
galaxy of states"
EDUCATION IN NEBRASKA.
Chancellor George Edwin MacLean Of Lin
coin expressed himself upon Education in
Nebraska" He regarded 1t a happy
omen that his first speech chancellor was
spoken nesr the great flag which had been
slorihed by preceding speakers spreading
folds Of welcome in the headquarters of a
club Of commercial greatness. The educa-
tional growth and advantages in Nebraska
was reviewed. The public school system CT
the state from primer class to the university
would compare favorably with the great sys-
TEN Of progressive states The speaker COM
plimented the high schools, and expressed
happiness at the abolition OF the preparatory
department at the university The Amer
lean school system Of today was the dream OF
early educators and tho pride of every true
citizen. His motto was culture and agrl-
culture" the life blood Of Nebraska.
AS an incoming chancellor he thought II
would be a good act to marry Omaha and
Lincoln. City rivaries should be forgotten
In n unity for state interests. In conclusion
he urged every citizen to do his duty and be
loyal to the state with its interests CT educa-
tion. commerce, agriculture industries home
and family. Mr.. Lambsrtson CT Lincoln was
referred to as the representative Of the bride
groom on the wedding of cities.
LAMBERTsON IS LENIENT.
G. NJ. Lambertson followed with an i'm
promptu speech on 1.-The City of Lincoln "
which he prefaced with several good stories
Governor Holcomb and he did it with better
feeling now than he could have done last
November. when he was making calamity
speeches and all sorts of prophecies of evil
things to happen II Mr.. Holcomb was
elected" He was glad to join the business
men OF Omaha in admitting political mis-
takes of the past, and believed that the gov
ernor-elect had proved an agreeable surprise
and was one OF the best governors the state
ever had (Applause)
Referring to the city of Lincoln, Mr.. Lam
bertson spoke OF the progressive spirit ans
resources of that city, and thought it was
living monument to the memory Of the mar.
tyred president. Mr.. Lambertson was glat
to be present and grasp the outs.retchei
hand of Omaha in mutual effort for state
interests
HE TALKED CROPS
"Agriculture-Tho Growing Glory of Ne
hraska," received the attention of Hon. Ell
a. Barnes Of Grand Island as follows:
Upon receiving your invitation to be pres
ent this evening to respond to the toast
Agriculture, the Growing Glory of Ne
hraska, at first | tried to excuse myself, fo
the reason had made arrangements 10 tail
to the Agricultural society at Madison. Neb
tomorrow afternoon. THIS dilemma was 500,
overcome by Mr. DUuham kindly agreeing
to fulfill my engagement with them VI
have assembled here today IN calabrota IN