Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-01-21
BRAKES INAUGURAL
ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS or
THE LEGISLATURE.
Ctate and National Issues Discussed BY
Come Before the Legislature.
DEs MONIES, JANUARY lG, 1896.

To the senate and house of represen-
sattves and to the people of Iowa: IN
~nterlng upon the grave and respon-
iible duties of the office Of chief execu-
ive of Iowa, l beg to express my sim
cere thanks to the people Of the state
:or the high honor that has been con-
ferred upon me.
Recognizing, as / sincerely do, that
the honor is not in the mere holding of
the office, but in the Faithful unSelfsh,
honest and efficient discharge of its du-
ties, and in the service OF the whole
people, I ask you, as members of the
general assembly, and the people whom
you represent, for your influence and
cooperation to enable me to discharge
these duties. and to meet these respor-
cibilities, with wisdom. with love for
humanity and with reverence for AL
mighty God.
This representative body, selected by
tae people from their own number be-
cause of their fitness to legislate, have
40 doubt will enact wise and whole
some laws for the protection, prosperity
and happiness of the people as a whole.
and without Partially or favoritlsm to
any classes
From my knowledge of the distln-
guished gentlemen of which this intel
igent body is composed, l am i'm
pressed with the belief that nothing
will be omitted in the way of legisla-
tion, necessary to be enacted for the
promotion of the best interests of this
great commonwealth and for the devel-
opment OF all its material resources.
Be assured. therefore. that there will
be no dictation attempted on the part
of the executive or any disposition on
his part to interfere with your deiib-
Crations.
The high respect for, and confidence
entertained in, this general assembly
by the executive. and its acquired
knowledge and experience in the work
OF legislation, Justify his belief that
there exists no necessity for an elab-
crate message, or for entering into
specific and extended recommenda-
tons -~a~- 'iS<s.~
THE SEMI-CEN~ENNIAL Or IOWA.
This year ma rks an epoch in the his
tory of Iowa. Fifty years ago this
state was admitted into the union.
The state as we now know it did not
then exist Civilization was confined
largely to the eastern border. Where
this magnificent capitol now stands
was an almost unbroken wilderness; in
the northwestern part OF the state.
which is now dotted with homes of
happy and prosperous people. the In
dams were still in possession of the vir-
gin soil. We who came to Iowa at that
time. or before that time. have not only
feen this wonderful transformation, but
we are glad to feel that we have had
oa e with those who have come since.
Ither by birth or adoption. into this
great family. One is tempted to linger
over the work which has been done in
this state There was so much which
was endured, 80 much which was
achieved. so much which was accom-
plished. so much to tell. Later in the
year. when the admission CT Iowa into
Rhe union is celebrated. / hope that
oil these things may be appropriately
told to the honor of the past and for
the inspiration OF the future.
I call attention to this matter now,
because I want to urge upon the legis-
isture the fact that the state cannot
neglect her semi-centennial We must
wait fifty or more years, wren all or
US who participated in the founding or
khe state will have passed away, before
we are afforded another such oppor-
funity. / do not know what form the
oelebra ton should take. but do know
ahis, that it ought to be on scale cor
responding 10 the greatness of Iowa.
We have here commonwealth or
which we have no cause Ia be ashamed.
Let US lift her up 50 that all the states
NAV see how fair she IT, how worthy
40 be beloved The legislature can do
nothing that will meet with the more
hearty approval Of the people or the
whole state, for this event appeals to
all the pride that is in men and women.
which are cherished bv all the people.
SOLDIERS MONUMENT.
No state contributed more OF loyalty,
II patriotism or of human sacrifice
during the sanguinary struggle for the
maintenance of the union and the gov
eminent of our fathers. than did our
own beloved Iowa In that terrible
conflict from in 1861 TO in 1865. she was
always among the first to respond, and
always ready to supply her quota. The
courage and patriotism of her soldiers
were exhibited on almost every battle
field of tho war; where they heroicaiiy
fought and bravely fell always at the
front OF Il, 900 men enrolled. over one
tenth Of her population. more than
y 600 sacrificed their lives and many
more their health. Her sons readily re-
sponded ~ their countrY'S call and no
higher ron nf honor for bravery. loyal
Sy.and efficiency can be produced in all
th~ world than what their record
shows
How fitting than that n monument
should be erected as a tribute to their
memory, and az a testirHonial to their
courage. patriotism and fidelity TO their
country This work. which was placed
in tho hands Of an able and patriotic
board OF commissioners. is far adj
vanced and / trust the completed moa-
Ument will soon be formally presented
to the ueopal Nf Iowa. " would ba TT
tinr. historically snd 9th 9rwise. If this
contamination could be effected during
the present wear. The monument will
rtand, not only TO testify to the fidelity
To the union on the part of the people
of Iowa. ard to the valor Of those who
fought in the union army, but 80 tss-
tImoniaI 10 the sense of patriotic graf
ftude on no part of thoeA who are
sharing the her"fts Of tn" victories
which were won b. the armies of Iowa
ami the 1nion.
In this place. It is fitting thrt should
speak OF the two members OF the com
mirsion thst hos had charge Of the
construction Of tho monument. who
have passed awsy sine" the General as
genblys last session. 7 spaalt standing
I'm the sha dow OF a bereavement which
is personal to all of u.s. Him who was
thus taken from US. " was my high
privilege to Fnow for half q century.
II cannot BE- improner. even in a state
paper thus to sneak of Judge Wright,
for MS name is ia Nntifi"f with all that
IS best in fifty years of Iowa history.
7 cannot say whet no has been TO me
in all these wears: and standing on tn"
threshold of thu high o"'c" for which
have lust qualified / feel. End frankly
SOY Il, that ! shall raizs him and his
wIso counsel.
He WIS one of the nohl"st or the
build ere II the commonwealth. on" who
fllustr,t".I its best citizenship. adorned
its social life. exalted it's jurisprudence,
and In III things honored the state
would that might speak OF all that