Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-18

been extended TO this young enterprisuG
and prosperous city. We thank Hou for al
you have done 30 make our coming pleas
ant one. You have given us such n wei
come as We shall not forget and can rover
fail TO appreciate.
The management Of Il railroad is not
always an agreeable occupation. There
are many difficulties and discouragements
which must he met. and troubles which
always rise up when least expected. But
we have no right to complain. for all
progress H. heset with difficulties. the
people of new territories well know. We
are here TO share the fortunes of Okla
homa whether for good or III. and We
shall count on your friendly aid and en-
couraEcmcnt, as you can count on ours
81 have always believed that there
should be the most frank. open and corGi-
al relations between a railroad company
and the people who are ills patrons. our
interests are common. The development
of this territory: the settlement of its fer
tile acres and the growth of its cities and
towns are all matters of deep concern 10
us for our prosperity Will be measured by
yours. If you succeed. we shall succeed;
if you fail. we shall fail, far our
lines here are concerned. But, gentlemen.
oklahoma is not the kind Of territory 10
fail Her soil. her climate and her peo-
Most of my business life has been spent
in the West, and ] know what the West
crn spirit IL. / like il more and more as
the years roll by, ard yet | must admit
of little feeling of pride that / was born
in Vermont. when 1 think how George
Dewey sailed into Manila bay, and pre-
empted the Philippine Islands. He was
the greatest sooner that ever lived.
Il feel much satisfaction that We open
hi. fnr Ittsi her srs-S mel
spicious time The nation HAS won
glorious peace. Perhaps the delay in the
Paris negotiations may Indicate that there
is a string to it, hui let US not forget that
our Uncle Samuel holds the string. We
face the wbrld to-day In the firm conli-
dence that our destiny. as a great, unit ID
and prosperous country. is assured. Okla
homa will move forward with the rest,
earning and receiving her portion Of the
reward which the future viii surely bring.
8 The St Louis & San Francisco railroad
= will do it's best to merit your confidence,
and will, at all times. Re Joee in Being a
highway over which your products shall
20 out TO the world, and its products come
10 you. We shall serve to Keep you in
more neighborly contact with Kansas City
and ST. Louis. and in many ways
10 strengthen your relations with the
country at large.
mere spirit of philanthropy. They bus
mess enterprises, projected and constructed
in the hope that they Will he profitable TO
their owners. But they are great public:
benefits: stepping stones by which com
munities. cities and states ascend 10 higher
planes Of prosperity and success. They are
the most potent influences which modern
civilization has discovered for promoting
the comfort and happiness of the people.
All the products OF the United States are
= brought to the door OF every citizen. Par
allels of latitude no longer represent great
distances but only breathing places for the
locomotive.
And here / am reminded OF another
great work in which The railway has done
its full share. 1 mean the destruction Of all
sectional feeling between North and South
our war with Spain opened our eyes 10 III,
fact that We are one people. but the ming
ling and blending of interests brought
about by commerce and by travel, had lona
since practically accomplished the SAM
results. A foreign war simply finished the
work which has been steadily going for.
ward during the entire era OF railroad
building in the TrIted States. Every roat
that connects North and South. and every
road that connects East and West. is ar
added assurance that this Union * to en-
dnre forever.
Il thank you. gentlemen again. and wlsf
you all health, happiness and prosperity"
Ex-Coneressman Sidney Clarke. former
~ of Kansas hut now a loyal OkIIhomdu
was the next speaker He said he ha,
come TO rejoice with tho rest upon tn
completion of This wonderful sntrrpris,
which meant so much TO Oklahoma. IL
spoke of the rapid development Of the Tor
ritory. tine fertile valleys and plains uoI
containing over ::T6.UJ people. eco schoo
children. good common schools and severa
institutions OF higher education. all q
which led mp 10 nUhlcr civilization. II
related how. many years ago. n" made
speech AZ PaolI. kIs.. advocating the api
fation OF railroad cons tructiou. He %.
dicted at that time that. in a few year,
Kansas would hav" i.Un miles OF IaIilroa,
IIc was booted at and ridicu!"d by tn
PEOPLE and The press generally. To-da
his prediction has been fulfilled nine time
over. IIc said he believed the future G
oklahoma WAS a bright a. WAS that e
Kansas IN those days. and that. In a fe,