Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-22

this dusky race not only that river but our
great state takes its name.
There is scarcely an attribute OF mankind
so universal as that OF affection for the
region in which our lot is cast, the land
which has given us birth. or which In
matdrer years has received us TO her bosom.
The heart Of the Esqulmaux. alike with the
OF more favored regions, swells
with the liyeliest emotions in contemplating
what seem to him the beauties and ex-
cellencies Of his own country. II this emo
tion be an universal attribute to mankind.
II cannot fail to be more profound and In
tense In proportion as those beauties and
excellencies are real. There Is no true son
OF Illinois
Whose heart has ne'er within him burned"
In contemplating the sublime glories OF
his W state.
Boast of the Commonwealth.
No other commonwealth can boast of
more enterprising and prosperous cities and
towns and villages or Of more delightful
rural homes. Our great metropolis with her
magnificent buildings towering into the
skies, with her vast libraries already pro-
vided for. with her university and insti-
tutes and schools. with her charities and
eleemosynary institutions, with her parks
and great avenues is destined with the
growth Of architecture and the develop
ment of art to be the most respondent
city on the face of the earth. Millions OF
revolving wheels are forever rolling to her
great storehouses treasures
(which far outshine the wealth OF Ormus
and of Ind"
and she must very soon become the most
opulent and populous city of the western
hemisphere. and finally of the world.
But 1t is of our complete, stalwart men
that we are proud. They have shown
themselves worthy of the lame they bear,
Men whose wrestling thews can throw the
world" Scarcely had the people of Illinois
begun to enjoy the privileges and appreciate
the gloIies of full citizenship Of the re-
public when almost Immediately after the
state was admitted into the union the
demon Of human slavery tried to faster
itself upon them. Though most of then
were from slave states, they met and over
came the monster. and hurled 1t from them
banishing 1t forever. A few years later
when borne down and overwhelmed will
debt and taxation, and the last hope o
being able to extricate themselves seeme'
gone, the siren of reputation. as she ha
successfully done elsewhere. beckoned then
to follew her for relief. They indignant,
repealed her and deliberately, in thei
fundamental law, put upon themselves
burden Of taxation and, after years of self
denial, paid the debt in full. dollar 70
dollar. When the Mexican war came Hi
nois carried the banner of the republic o.
many a victorious battlefield. and finally as
sisted in debating terms to the enemy il
'' W. N'f'Na w hSh biAii ohaNSh
sought to fasten itself upon California an
Kansas, Illinois men helped to drive it out
In the war of the rebellion Illinois me
"hewed their way down the Mississippi
valley with their good swords as thei
greatest volunteer leader. whose achieve
ments have lately been I
brcnz, said they would do, and the grea
river flowed "unve, cd to the sea-
The names of the stalwart sons of nlinoi
who have won imperishable rt
nown would fill volumes. Or
of them conquered the sword
rebellion. and, with mangnanimity and ger
erosity unequaled in history, declined to RI
ceive it, and another is recognized through
out the world as the sublimest character
the age.
Statesmen and Soldiers.
, While there is a tendency to exalt militai
genius above all other, there have been il
: tellectual conflicts in which the laurels haN
been as respondent as those which deck Il
9 soldiers brow. In the great debates b,
l fore the people Of Athens, Demosthen,
= gained renown which has brought his nan
= down through all the ages.
y Just preceding the war of the rebellio
on the prairies of Illinois we witnessed
campaign of public discussion. continuiI
for several months. AS it progressed fro
tention until finally all the people of Il
a nation became interested. The gre
prairies were the audience room, the Amer
s can people the audience, the constitution
q the United States the platform, the create
American statesman the champion, and Il
fate Of a continent. the issue.
e The original fabric of government W
C composed Of states bordering upon the A
: lantic, of which the great state of Pennsy
h vania was appropriately designated as t
keystone. Soon the adventurous and har'
pioneer subdued the western wilds, ne
,N-t.. ,N,- fz.-,-l n-I thA nn,Bli n
banded. BY the Louisiana purchase. the co
F" quest of Mexico and the settlement of I
Oregon boundary the domains, OF the I
IL public have extended until our boundari
lie are the oceans. Her adamantine found
e tons, laid broad and deep, support the me-
n majestic edifice that has ever been project'
Of In the midst of this mighty structure
amplifed and extended from it's origin
boundaries Illinois appeared. Through t
achievements and great names OF ADran'
Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant and the dee
.. Of our other statesmen and heroes hin
n, has so risen in her central position II
&. from every quarter of the union men a
at women instinctively lift their eyes to l
T. and so carry out the now clearly discern
will of the divine architect. She unites a
cements and c~apopies with grace and sy
-. metry and beauty the majestic edihce.
!" Pennsylvania was appropriately called
III keystone, so Illinois may be appropriat
uSoiShbeSA 10 az 1ob'N
l. United States.
er In the midst of this most splendid exl
he sittol of the worlds progress that has e
he been attempted and carried out IN
tn transmississippi region, equal, In so far
p designed, to the Worlds ex
ne sition and superior in many of its deta
s. Illinois has erected a building. In
he work of laying out and erecting this bui
er ing the Illinois commissioners, represent
OF every part of the state. have taken a hv
ed interest. 1t has been their desire to. WI
on out unne cessary outlay, have a building
he would be worthy of the state which
es honored them by placing the import
he trust in their hands. 1t has been a la
CHI of love, and they will feel amply comp
en- stated If their work is approved. For III
and in their behalf / now turn the build
tie. over TO his excellency, the governor of
I'm nois, whom have the honor to present
- you.
: In introducing Governor Tanner 1t is
necessary for me to add more than a W.
III - 4.