The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-23
ONE OF THE HOLIDAYS
An Interesting Story Of the Origin Of
ArbOr Day.
OBSERVED MAY IL HERE
Its Origin Is In Nebraska. 20 Years
Ago. When II as Suggested
by the Present Secretary
of Agriculture.


list of holidays, but its growth in popu-
larity has been such that il already
vies with Memorial day and Fourth of
July in commanding universal observ-
ance.
The practical sense and the utility of
the idea of setting apart one day of
each year to the planting of trees,
struck with particular force the prairie
states, and now 1t is a general holi-
day.
The suggestion came % years ago
from Nebraska, where 1t was origi-
mated by Hon. j. Sterling Morton, now
secretary OF agriculture, who was at
that time governor of Nebraska. A
history Of the day, as given in a
pamphlet issued recently by the de-
partment of agriculture. thus tells the
story of its origin:
"Arbor day originated in this man
ner: AT an annual meeting of the Ne
braska state board of agriculture, held
In the city of Lincoln on Jon. 4, 1872, j.
Sterling Morton of Nebraska City in
troduced the following resolution
which was unanimously adopted, after
some little debate as to the name. some
of those present contending for the term
Sylvan instead of 'Arbor:'
Resolved, That Wednesday, the
10th day OF April 1872, be and the same
Is hereby especially set apart and con-
secrated for tree. planting in the state
of Nebraska, and the state board of
agriculture hereby name it Arbor day,
and to urge upon the people of the
state the vital Importance of tree
Planting, hereby offer a special pre-
MUM of 800 to the agricultural So
ciety of that county in Nebraska which
shall, upon that day, plant properly
the largest number of trees, and
farm library OF $25 worth Of books to
that person who, on that day. shall
in Sl-a
est number of trees.
THE result was that over a million
trees were planted in Nebraska on
that first Arbor day. Three years later
the day had attained such favor with
the people that the governor by public
proclamation, set apart the third
Wednesday of April as Arbor day, and
recommended that the people observe
1t as day OF tree planting. Annually
thereafter other governors of the state
followed this example, until at the ses-
sion of the legislature In 1885 an act
was passed designating the 22d day Of
April the birthday of Mr.. Morton, as
the date of Arbor day, and making it
one OF the legal holidays of the
state.
Included In the bulletin is the text
of an address delivered by Hon. j. |
Sterling Morton at the Nebraska state
university at Lincoln on April 22, 1887. |
The peroration is as follows:
Just as stars in the sky brighten |
all the armament with light, so holi- |
days and anniversaries commemorate |
exalted characters. recall noble deeds
and perpetuate pure principles. illu-
mine the arena of human life and light |
up the higher pathways for manly eff
fort and ambition.
Ordinary holidays are retrospect
i've. They honor something good. and
great which has been, and, by it's ex-
altation,, commend II to the emulation
of mankind. Thus the past is made to
inspire the present, and the present to
reach into and influence the immeas-
urable and unknown future.
" But Arbor day-Nebraska's own
home-invented and home-instituted an
niversary-which has been already
transplanted to nearly every state in
the American union, and even adopted
in foreign lands, is not like other holi-
days. Each of those reposes upon the
past, while Arbor day proposes for the
future. 1t contemplates, not the good
and the beautiful of past generations
but it sketches. outlines, establishes
the useful and the beautiful for the
ages yet to come. Other anniversaries
stand with their backs to the future.
peering into and worshiping the past;
but Arbor day faces the future with
an affectionate solicitude, regarding
1T as an artist his canvas, and etches
upon our prairies and plains gigantic
groves and towering forests of waving
trees. which shall for our posterity be-
come commensurate living pictures.
compared to which the gorgeous col
orings of Rubens are tame and insig-
nificant'"
The introduction to the bulletin reads
as follows:
"Arbor day, from beginning only
humble expedient of one Of our west
ern states a few years ago, has be-
come a national holiday, and one of
our important institutions. Its origi-
nal design has been modified since its
observance has become associated with ,
our schools. 1t is now not only day
for tree planting for economic and
aesthetic purposes, but its observance
has been made the means Of securing
much valuable knowledge In regard 10
plant and tree life. of cultivating in
the young the powers of observation,
and kindling in their minds an inter-
est in natural objects which will be
a lifelong source of benefit and pleas
ure.
1T is too much to hope. also. that
this Arbor day festival, engaging our
children in its observance so generally
and 50 pleasantly with songs, recita-
lions and the planting of trees and
shrubs around the school houses and
along the streets or in public parks
and other places, may have :he effect
of developing in coming generations a
keener appreciation of the value and
the beauty Of trees than has hitherto
been felt in our country, and that thus
the reckless destruction of our forests
going on with such threatening conse-
0uences, may be arrested before the ,
calamities are upon US which have be-
fallen other countries through the loss
of their trees?"
Montana has. for many years. OBJ
served Arbor day and Will continue 10
do so as the day is now recognized by 4
the code in laws commencing and reg
ulating the manner Of its celebration.
The date. which was formerly a day
in April. was found TO be too early for
this state. and hence the second Tues :
dav in MAY was selected as better