Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1895-09-12
Franklin's Centennial.

Oar neighbors, the good people Of the
city of Franklin, the county seat of We
mango county, celebrated the hundredth
anniversary Of the foundation of that place
on the 4th, 9Th, and 9th Of this month.
From the account of the celebration as
gi ven in the papers of Oil City and Frank
lin, nearly the whole people of Venango
county were present and participating,
and The Centennial was noted success.
The displays were all intended to illus
trate the wonderful changes made in that
place within the time il was first settled,
Sept. 1875 AMI Sept, 1895, hundred
y ars. A history of the city was given
aad addresses made b. the present proml-
nent citizens of the city. We felt special
interest IN the celebration iuasmuch as
several "Butler County BOYS" are now
among the prominent and successful citi-
zens of Franklin. Among tn eD are Ben
iamin W Bredin. born and raised In Bat
Ter; William B. McNair, Esq. also born
aud raj sed in this place; Isaac Ash, Esq,
born and raised in this county and form
er member of our Bar; Mr.. J. 7. Campbell,
also of this county and a successful me--
chant, and perhaps others.
Did space permit we might refer 20 some
OF the addresses made on the occasion.
But there was one, made By an Indian,
defendant of Cornplanter, called Logan,
which was peculiarly touching and eio-
queut aad illustrated the great change a
hundred years had made to his race as
we'll as to the pale faces" The follow
ing is his speech:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen-I
am sorry ttat ! have been uy-restimated
bV the president in bis saying that | am
the greatest orator among the Ind ans. l
think there are great many OF my In
dian friends who are as aDle To make
speech as | am. In listening 10 the
speeches made ty my learned friends, in
which they referred 10 the advantages
which your pc ople to-day enjoy, and To
what you are doing TO advance yourselves
in the ways of civilization, | could not
help hut think of what my people were
hundred years ago. What were theyf 1t
reminded me OF one of the remarks heard
here that you do not want 10 allow any
sluggards OF dr0ne5 IN your comm unity.
But there were droaes among our people.
While the women had To 20 to work in
the fields, the men laid in the shade.
That is the kidd of drones we were 100
years ago. Ba, time has changed since
we haYe come in cOntac. with the pale
face although there have been many
draw backs resulting from our coming in
contact with them. But then | think that
it is the Will of the Great Spirit that these
times be brought around for our benefit
and for the benefit of the Indians, VINO
are coming behind US Oar women in
those days us9d 10 carry their children on
their backs; TO day they push tnem algon
iu little carriages, with silk umbrella
over the face of the little child. That is
something new. We used to tie our pa
pooses on boards, So tight that they could
not stir. The idea was that when they
grew up they must be as straight as
string. To day we do not do that We
Law them on pillows as soft as we can
make them. All of these things we learn
ed from our pale-iaced brethren.
Nv forefathers used - 60 around over
these hills 100 yeats ago. There were no
roads; there were simply foot-paihs that
webbed these hills, and on which they
travelled. To day we have roads, to-day
we have cars down here at the bottom of
this hill with no horses in front. We have
been carried from our homes by the iron
horse, as you call il, | believe. We were
landed here very quickly. In former days
it would have taken US days from our
place here We look at it as great wond-
er. When we come to think of II, We
think what a wonderful people the white
people are Judging from the changes
that have been wrought in the last htty
years. if it is TO continue everything on
the face of the earth will pay obeisance to
the white man. But We are following
that civiliz ltion to-day, my friends. Yon
look at my people that are here to day.
Jome of them are there in the field repre-
senting a game which our foreiatheIs used
to play. We do not play that game now
daily, We are attending to agricultural
pursuits sending our children TO school,
earning the ways Of civilization, and |
think il is not far distant when my people
will become as one of your people, becom-
ing citizens of this great and glorious
country. which really is ours. but will be-
long to us more when we become citizens.
But | want to assure you of one thing, my
friends, when we do become citizens we
will all be Republicans, (Gfeat applause
and laughter
| desire to say before close, my friends,
that we have been invited here by the
people of Franklin and have been enter
tained very nicely. and in behalf of my
people extend our thanks to the presi-
dent, Mr.. Forbes, and to my friend, Mr.
James, for the courtesies we have received
at their hands. We have been treated
ike ladies and gentlemen, and only hope
that Mr.. Forbes and Mr.. James will have
the good luck to be here and attend an
other Centennial celebration 100 years
from now. (Appiause.)