The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-09

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A sextette of pioneers were brought
from the central station by Capt.
Charles Rouleau, including Phil
Schweitzer, Mike Daily, James w. Lau-
derdale, William Rose and Matt Young,
| days. the meeting was so well behaved,
| that the six had only to remain-in-
! terested listeners.
| 1gnatius Donnelly, one-time lieu
| tenant governor of Minnesota, was
master of ceremonies, and on either
side of him sat ex-Gov. Alexander
| Ramesy and eX-Gov. Andrew r. Nc
Gill, while on the platform were Presi-
dent Alvaren Allen, of the Minnesota
| Territorial association, with A. L. Lar
| penteur, the oldest living settler in the
state, at one elbow, and H. L. Moss at
| the other.
The Postof1ice band in it's neat grey
uniform, occupied one corner and dis
coursed appropriate music through the
eV ening.
Rev. William c. Pope, rector of the
Church of the Good Shepherd, invoked
the Divine blessing, after which Mr.
Donnelly opened the meeting 1t was
a gathering Of intelligence, he said,
which could hardly fail to inspire one
with the desire to express his appre-
citation at the honor of being asked to
preside. There We're before him, the
founders of the COMMONWEALTH
men and women who gave the best
they had to bring to the state of Min
nesota the beauties Of civilization It
was the highest culture of other lands
brought out to these Western prairies,
and unlike foreign countries where the
growing generations had to depend
largely upon folk lore for news OF the
deeds of their forefathers, the coming
cltlzens of Minnesota by reason of the
existence Of the very excellent historical
society, could know every detail of the
life drama of the territory and the
state. Mr.. Donnelly said it was almost
solemn scene, and urged that there
were few of his hearers who had
braved the wear and tear of half a CEN
Jury who could not think back tearfuIly
and recall the face of some of the dear
ones gone. He hoped the movement
which he felt was a part of some Divine
inspiration might be kept up long after
many of those present had passed
away.
He told Of the early history of the
territory when Ramsey was governor
and he was lieutenant governor, and
now they had both rejOiced so greatly
OF railroad built between the then vii
lagos Of st. Paul and Minneapolis In
conclusion the sage said: II hone
many or these good grey heads and
Wrlnkled faces may stay on TOP of
thls beautiful green earth a long time,
an example, pleasure and a pride to
those who are to succeed them"
A dozen sons and daughters of old
settlers next sang appropriate words to
the air "Therell Be Hot Time in the
Old Town Tonight" and were forced
ID repeat 1t before the audience was
satisfied
A; L. Larpenteur spoke briefly He
SAD ne came here fifty-five years ago.
landed at the foot of Jackson street
He was then an interpreter for fur
company which was trading with the
indians. Where he landed, he said
was then some 24O miles from the
frontier. Where the frontier is now he
could not say. The state had grown
from place where muskrats were ex-
changed to big commonwealth which
annually exported 100000 bushels of
wheat. The speaker referred to the
pfophetlc words uttered by Score
tary Seward as to the central location
OF this state, and said he felt glad that
ne had done his share to make the
prophecy come true.
Mr.: Donnelly next introduced that
sturdy old pioneer, Gov. Alexander
ramsey, whose name was received with
cheers. The governor said he felt like
the lrlshman who said when you have
anything to say, say it at once. He
was not speech maker. he added but
ms remarks were frequently punctuat
ed with applause
am glad to share with YOU all /"
ne sald, the pride which we must
ieei at the proud position near the ton
Whlch Minnesota holds in the eaIaxv
OF lorty-lYe states in the Union. From
q simple beginning, when there was
niue mere but prairies and rivers and
Ihe beautiful scenery which we still
nave, Minnesota is now one of the best
and most sdignified and honored states
in the whole list.
=, Within he last fifty years some Of
the best people in the Union have
banded together with a common in
terest, and in spite Of the fact that
they were warned when the started
that they were going to a hyperborear
region, they came and found this great
country. How wisely they judged the
climate and the land we can easily
tell. We are all here, my dear paonIe
ana we have started for our children
and their children a commonwealth
winch may we'll serve as a pattern
ana or which we should all be duJv
proud" N"'S
double quartette of men sang an
original lullabye dedicated to the bows
Oh territorial days, and at the conclU-
sion the author, w. H. Hoyt. was
an additional verse in self-defense
1t was at this point the formal pro-
Gfamme ended, but Chairman DonneI-
ly refused to bring such an interesting
event to close, and called on ex-Gov
McG1ll for speech. The governor
could not, he said, refrain from ex-
pressing his qualification at being al
lowed to participate in the Ceremonies
to the extent of making a speech. al
though he modestly disclaimed anv
oratorical ability. 1t was significant
ne urged, that the character of a state
was taken from its early settlers, and
the strongest compliment he could paw
his listeners was to note the fact that
today Minnesota occupied an enviahIe
position in the matter of character
energy and ability. While Minnesota
was by no means among the older or
more conservative states, she was vet
thought to be one of the most impor-
tant, and the fact was universally
recognized
1t might not be too lavish praise to
say that the most interesting speech
was made by a woman, and not a
young woman either.
Mrs. Charlotte o. Van CIeve, the
daughter of an army officer, and the
first white child born in this state, is
now dear old lady who still has
bright eyes, and the rare faculty of
N substance: Il am very glad to see
so many Of my old friends here. I
think l may say l am the Oldest set
tier of my sex in the state. l am the
daughter of an army officer who came
mere many years ago to build what is
now Fort Smelling. This sight revives
me, and l almost forget that | am an