The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-19

| a mans heart and the texture of his
brain. 1t was a contest in which hero
ism was daily victor Justice was
the impregnable fortress upon which
the pioneers stood. 1t was an eloquent
appeal to the manhood of the eastern
states, whose best sons came to par
ticipate in the matchless struggle
Kansas had been in the pathway of the
migratory movements of men. but il
now became the terminus. De Tocque-
Vile, in adverting to this tragic period
in American history, said that people
moved westward las if driven by the
mighty hand of God" Josiah Strong.
in summarizing the history of that era
of western development, said Like the
star in the east which guided the three
kings with their treasures, westward,
until it stood still over the cradle of the
young Christ, so the star of empire.
rising in the east, has ever beckoned
the wealth and power of nations west
ward, until today it stands still over
the young empire of the west to which
the nations are bringing their offerings.
The west is an infant, but shall one day
be a giant, in each of whose limbs shall
unite the strength of many nations"
The ideas that met and conquered
opposition during the progress of the
Kansas struggle fill a dramatic page
in the annals of time. L believe there
was an omniscient purpose impelling
the movements of those perilous days.
The organization of Kansas Territory,
and the founding of the future capital
of the state, were not isolated or for
tuitous events in aimless and purpose
less history. They were the methodical
and Sequential forces in the tragedies
which triumphed in a disenthralled
national life.
Kansas turned back the tide of Fate
and broke forever the spell of bondage.
Kansas was the beleagured citadel of
civil liberty, but the, hour of her deliv-
erance came, the clock of ages struck.
and a new era dawned upon a redeemed
and regenerated nation.
NJ
majestic pilgrimage around the world,
is strengthened and sustained by an eA-
allied patriotism, which is the rational
product of the Kansas agitat ton.
The history of this city and state
demonstrates that righteousness is the
enduring element in all governmental
affairs-that the Golden Rule and the
Decalogue are at the foundation of
every civil organization that deserves
perpetuity. Philosophy and sentiment
are f1eeting; rhetoric and defamation
are evanescent; truth and justice are
eternal
Kansas blood crimsoned the stripes
upon our national flag. but the day OF
exaltation came. and the harp of vic
tory was played upon the summit OF
peace. From that day of joyful trl-
unfettered and undismayed, her path
way strewn with the garlands of 10y
atty, her coat of arms encircled with
the blessings of heaven, her name ac
knowledged by the governments Of all
civilization, her fields redolent with the
fruits of agriculture, her markets bur-
dened with the contributions of conf
merce, her schools radiant with the
smiles of culture, and her temples vocal
with the melody of song.
Permit me in closing to appropriate
the beautiful language of Prof. Red
path: "The scroll of the past is rolled
together; it's work is done; peace to
the memory of the fathers; green be
the graves where sleep the warriors.
patriots and sages; calm be the resting
place of all the brave and true; gentle
be the summer rains on famous fields
where armies met in battle; forgotten
be the animosities and the heart
burnings Of all strife: sacred be the
trusts committed to our care, and
bright the vision of coming ages"