The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1896-02-15
To HONORl ABRAHAM LINCOLN
coyernor Mcdonnell OF Idaho Re-
sponded TO Idaho, the Gem of
the Mountains

If A bra ham Lincoln was hOnOred by an
elaborate banquet at the Hotel Port
land. under the auspices of the Multor-
for Republican Club. It was the first
If a series Of celebrations which it is
proposed to give each year in memory
Of the patriot president.
Among the representative citizens of
Portland and the northwest who re-
cnonded to toasts were Governor Lord, |
If oregon; Governor Mcconnell, of Ida
no: Hon. G. FL. Carey, r. G. Morrow, |
Hon. George H. Williams, Hon. D. P.
Thompson, Hon. J. F. Caples, Hon. I.
Fl Tongue, General G. f. .Beebe, Colo
mel O. Summers, Henry ST. Raynor, Col
onel James Jackson, Hon. c. w. Full
ton and ex-senator J. N. Dolph.
Governor Mcconnell, in response to
the toast, 1.-THE State of Idaho, the Gem
of the Mountains" said:
M'CONNELL'S SPEECH.
Mr.. POSTMASTER: feel that the invi-
tation extended to me to be present at
this banquet and respond to the toast,
"The State of Idaho" was rendered, not
as a compliment to an individual. but
as an evidence of the esteem in when
YOU hold the people of the common
wealth | have the honor to represent. L
accept it as an evidence that you have
not forgotten that Idaho, with her
grand old mountains, in whose treas
ure-caves are stored untold millions OF
the precious metals; with her beautiful
valleys and vine-clad hills; sheltered by
the towering Rockies on the east from
M w
with relentless fury the shivering ham,
let's of Nebraska and the Dakotas; pro-
tected by the mountains Of Brisish Co
lumbia on the north from the arctlc
winds which chill the blood and freeze
the marrow Of the subjects of her ma
jesty the queen. You have invited me
here as an evidence, l say, that you
remember and are, no doubt, proud OF
the fact that with all the advantages
Nature has so lavishly showered on the
Gem of the Mountains" she is, aIter
ALL the child Of her noble mother, the
state of Oregon. Born in the throes OF
civil war, heaven decreed that the
sturdy infant should have as its goo
father the greatest man this nation
aye, the world-has ever known; one
whose image is engraved upon Tie
hearts of the American people; no othel
than him the memory of whose plrti'
you have assembled to honor, the mar
tyred president, Abraham Lincoln
With such a mother, such godratnel
the future Of the infant was assured.
IDAHOS ADVANTAGES.
In the brief time allotted can no
give expression to all the Klllo1.
thoughts we entertain for oregon an'
her people; can not tell you OF ldaho
resources; can not tell you OF our gol'
mines, our silver mines, our leao, ou'
"copper" our opal, our mica, our iron u
our coal mines; can not tell you or oul
onyx and marble quarries, our almoe
boundless ranges covered with sheep
cattle and horses; can not tell Oh W
magnificent rivers which are the iia
ural breeding grounds of the wealth.
bringing salmon which have contrlo
uted SO largely to the Golfers or Oresoi
can not tell you of the latent power =
those streams which, when developoo
Will set in motion hundreds OF mllis on
factories and drive the hurrylng Train
with increased velocity across the coi
tlnent; can not tell you or our HOS
nlflcent forests of pine, cedar ana lan
arack; can not tell you of our prooue
tive farms, orchards and meadows; e"
not tell you Of the beauty ana cuitui
VI our ladies, many Of whom we W.
from the state of Oregon; can ho' -
you of all those treasures, for each az
every one would require more time tna
Is at my disposal; I can not tell ~
wnat We have accomplished; nave In