Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-06-05

propriate home here. The palace IS at
once the natural nucleus and abiding
place of these antiquities. Devot to
purpose and filled with the anti
treasures of the territory, 1t
will make of the capital Of New Mexico
the Mecca of every intelligent traveller
in the world, and give to the territory
a reputation and glory of which
every n of it's citizens a be proud.
For almost three hundred years the
palace was practically the capitol OF
New Mexico; for in it was the official
sidence of the governor and the cham
bcrs for the session of courts and leg
is!atures when they existed. Through
much Of this period there was little
ed for extensive accommodation for
the seat of the judiciary. Of the gather
ing of representative assemblies of the
ieople, for the government was practi-
ca'ly absolute in the hands of the gov
clnor or captain general, who was re-
sponslble only to the viceroy in Mexico
or to the king himself in Spain. The
extent of the magnificent structure
which we dedicate to-day, and the dis
pL sition Of its chambers, speak not only
of good judgment and good taste, but
iell the more important story, tina In
ii csc latter days our government Is far
mole just and liberal than those Of by
gone ages, that in the distribution OF
power among three branches-legisla-
tive, executive and judicial-the liber-
ties and rights of the citizen are more
secure than ever before, and that In the
most conspicuous place among them
are placed the chosen representatives
of the people, who in a republic are the
real sovereigns."
He Their gave a brief sketch of the
attempt to build a capitol by govern
ment appropriation from 1850 to 1859,
and of the subsequent use of the half
erected structure in constructing the
present federal building; and also an
account of the erection and burning of
the capitol destroyed in 1892, and of the
construction of the present building,
speaking in high terms of the labors of
the capitol rebuilding board, and con-
cluded as follows:
"And we meet to-day to dedicate this
beautiful structure to the highest serv-
ice for the people of New Mexico. as the
central seat Of their government-as
the capitol Of the territory and Of the
future state.
Its foundations are firmly laid of the
solid and substantial rock: its super
structure arises in beautiful and artis-
tic design, in graceful outline and fit
proportion, to the stately dome which
bears aloft the banner Of the nation.
Viewed from without, it Is a noble
structure. Within, the convenience Of
it's arrangements, the skill with which
utility and beauty have been combined.
the chaste tastefulness Of it's ornament
alton, call forth the admiration of all
who visit it. Nothing has been left UNI
done to make it worthy Of it's objects
and Of the great commonwealth which
it represents. All this we dedicate to-
day!
but we do far more. We dedicate
not only the material building, the
stone, the metal, and the wood. Beauti-
full as artistic workmanship has made
them, they are but dull, dead things;
inanimate, soulless, which in time may
crumble or rust or decay. But we ded-
icate here to-day all which this capitol
represents. 1t stands for the veal or
the woe Of our people. According as
good or evil shall be done within its
walls, it will be a blessing or a curse.
It is the seat of power, and as that
power shall be exercised, 80 will be the
future of New Mexico.
Here legislatures will v and
courts will sit, and governors will rule.
Here will assemble the constitutional
convention which will establish the or
ganic law for the sunshine state. As
they, each in it's day and generation,
perform their duties within these walls,
such will be the influences that will ra-
date out from hence to the furthest
limits of Jul domain, and such will be
the results Of their work.
LET us, then, dedicate here to-day
this building and all its future to the
honor, the prosperity, the glory of New
Mexico! Yes, let us dedicate ourselves,
all who have gathered at this great
ceremony, every man and every woman
aye, and the children who will soon
take our places in life's work; let US
dedicate ourselves to the upbuildlng Of
that honor, that prosperity, and that
glory. Let us dedicate every patriotic
word, every %ennobling utterance, every
heroic deed, every faithful and con-
scientious service, which shall find a
place within these walls through all the
time to come.
May all who come under the shadow
of this dome come with clean hands and
patriotic hearts, seeking only the pub
lie good and the welfare and advance
ment Of the state.
May the legislatures which shall meet
in these magnificent chambers be filled
with a sense of the vast importance of
the work placed in their charge, Of the
responsibility for the right performance
of that work, of the greatness Of their
opportunity for doing good by bestow-
ing benefits on the people whom they
represent, and Of the ~blessedness of Sc
curing through their action to multi
tudes of their fellow citizens increased
happiness and prosperity and an ameli-
grafton of misery and want; and may
each and every member exercise all the
talents with which God has endowed
him for the upbuilding of the common
wealth, the development of its resources
and the education of Its people; for the
general advancement of society. the
lessening Of suffering and the preven-
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