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

Boston's growth was described as 'phe-
nomenal," but it was 100 years old be-
fore it was as big as Topeka. Phil
adelphia completed the first decade of
her second century before the census
gave her 10000
An interesting fact in the develop
ment of Kansas is the growth of its
citiest The recent census gives us nine
cities of over 10000 population, Fl with
more than 5000. "a with more than 1000
and Ill having over 1000. Residing in
these Ill cities are $4,000 people. There
is more than twice the population in
Kansas cities now than was found in all
of the American cities at the beginning
of the century.
I shall not invade the province of the
Statlst1cian, nor trespaSS upon the pre-
negatives of the historian, in speaking
of Topeka today. 1 observe, in passing,
however. that Topeka displays neither
nificence. Her chief claim to renown is
the simplicity of her homes, and the vir-
tue and sobriety Of her people.
1t is an interesting fact in sacred his
tory that the first city was founded by
the first murderer. Ever since that time
the extirpation of vice has challenged
the thought and commanded the efforts
of the good people of all cities. The
vicious and remorseless elements of So
ciety converge in cities. Shelley said,
Hell is a city much like London" This
laconic aphorism might be applied.with-
out violence to truth, to many American
cities. But affirm. with emphasis. that
no city within the confines of civiliza-
ton. SO completely exemplifies the max
imum of good and the minimum of evil
as this cherished capital of Kansas.
I once heard Bishop Fowler say: IF
you flash a ray of light into rat hole,
you spoil it for rat purposes" Let us
continue to flash rays of light, and
CLEANS of intelligence and patriotism in
to the dark and desolate corners of this
city, and spoil them forever for the
habitation of the diSSOlute sons and
daughters of men.
But there is no incongruity between
intellectual and moral grandeur, and
city of the Apocalypse, which was re-
vealed to the Apostle John in the Isle
of PatmoS, was opulent beyond the con-
cepton of man. The foundation of her
emerald, and chrysolite and topaz and
amethyst. Her gates were pearls and
her streets were gold. The acquisition
of wealth and the lavish adornment of
cities has this scriptural sanction.
Commercial -eminence should be
the ne plus ultra of human endeavor;
with this, of course, should be correlated
an ambition for mental endowment,
social distinction and moral advance
ment.
Topeka was founded by high grade
men and the plans and specifications OF
the city have ever since proceeded upon
a scale of moral and commercial excel
lence.
1 have an infinite respect for the old
times, the pioneers who gave US boys
the heritage of a ready-made city and
state, full of marvellous possibilities for
personal advancement 1 came to Kan
sas when the bleeding wounds of war
were fresh, and the people were still
suffering from the ruin wrought by the
hostile invasion. The daily recital of
that early history developed in my boy
ish heart and mind a type of state 10y
atty that has grown more intense as
the years have gone by. have seen this
state, the 34th admitted into the union,
pass to 18th in wealth and 19 tn in pop
ulation. 1 have seen this state, which
entered with my fathers family, in a
wagon, because there were no railroads,
march by AZ of her sister states in the
magnitude and Importance of her rail-
ways, operating a system sufficient to
extend it's iron arms more than one
third around the globe, and having
within her own limits agricultural pro-
auctions and general commodities ade-
quate to keep the 5000 miles in opera
ton every day in the year
I have seen this states assessed wealth
pass from insignificance to $3.50, 900 900.
the farms of the state until, in single
year. we harvested a larger crop of
grain than ever before responded to the
husbandman's toll in any other state.
Here where within my memory, the
Indians watched the dawning of civiliza-
ton, 1 have seen 5000 churches and TO-
600 school houses built, and the people
gladly and gratefully contribute more
than 5O.O00,0 900 to build up an intellect
ual and a moral commonwealth
I have seen portions of this state
emerge from savage dominion and the
entire state attain a position where it
can truthfully be said Kansas has a
greater diffusion of general education
and smaller percentage of iIliteracy
and crime than any other organized
community upon the face of this great
globe.
All of this sublime history has been
written within the memory of those of
US who are still young, and since To-
peka was started on it's intrepid jour
new through difficulties to the stars
Those robust days tested the fibre of