The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-04-24
OKLAHOMA INSPIRES
PRAISE AND ELOOUENCE
Ex-Secretary Noble Pays
the Territory a High
Compliment

Hon. John " Noble of St Louis. Mo-,
who was secretary OF the interior un-
der President BENJAMIN Harrison, was
the guest OF honor OF this city on April
%, the thirteenth anniversary of the
opening OF the territory to settlement.
Secretary Noble was at the head OF
the interior department at this open
ing. and prescribed the rules and reg
alations for that historic event lie
has always regarded Oklahoma as a
wonderful commonwealth. and takes
great pride in the conspicuous part he
took in preparing the territory for
settlement. and in his address here he
spoke in eloquent praise Of the mag
nifcent development OF the territory
since April %. 1889. His address was
rs follows
When nine years OF age. at III Reno.
the members OF the Woman Relief corp
then attending the encampment of the
Grand Army at that nlace, presented
me a vote OF thanks because, as they
were kind enough to say, | had kept
my word as secretary OF the interior
when | promised them that il the set
tiers OF 1900 would obey the law and
not attempt To enter the lands to be
homesteaded until the appointed hour.
they would be protected from the
'sooners. and because OF that protec-
tion they we're then in possession OF
peaceful and happy homes, | told them
IN reply that IN whatever public ser
vice it had been mine to prefer on
the field or IN council, their expression
OF gratitude was a sufficient reward
and / was ready 10 acknowledge it bv
a receiOt IN iull. That feeling has re
manned with me ever since, and your
kind reception now but adds to my
obligation. Your flattering words and
generous hopitality are most accept
able, and ! tn, you most sincerely.
But do not suppose for one instant
that | am SO vain or so foolish as to
assume for myself any undue credit.
Manv influences wrought to pre-
pare this country for your settlement
and through the successive admins
trations, laws were enacted and cNecu-
ted and executive measures enforced
by which the present conditions have
been attained Members and delegates
OF congress. senator's, secretaries %
the iSserior and OF war attorney gen
erals, military forces and you your
selves have each in his place, and all
with equal patriotism, labored and
dared ior the common good.
But on this particular occasion VIC
are permitted TO recall one who be-
came our chief magistrate in so's and
Tor four years administered onr ma
tional affairs with a wisdom and in-
tegrity and craftsmanship that has
received the admiration OF all our citi-
zens Of every political belief; whose
example will be cited and whose inilu-
ence will affect our national life
through all the future.
President Benjamin Harrison was
very great man. and a proiund states
man. lie comprehendcd, foresaw and
iorctold the future OF this country
His inspiration was the welfare OF the
people. He demanded that the affairs
of the government should be conduct
ed with honesty with promptness and
with Justice. He believed IN the in
tegrity and the intelligence OF the
American people and trusted them 10
manage their own affairs under law
iul rules and 10 the utmost extent He
was particularly a lover OF the inhu-
ences OF home lie and during no other
administration has there been SO many
homcsteads given Co settlers. The
number ol patents thai bear his sigma
ture is over 100000 ihere never have
been SO many states admitted 10 the
union in any administration as la his
There are Montana, Washington, Wy
oming, North Dakota South Dakota
ldaho-siN commonwealths that have
justified their claims 10 statehood by
their progress and prosperity. Ht
was, indeed. a believer in the princi
pies cf the republican party and
leader In an debates for their adyoca
cy and support. lie was as strenuous
as our president Roosevelt. says
man should be in the advocacy of Wha
he believes right aud as any could b,
opposing what he believed wrong, bu
his judgment did not ialter when h'
was 20 determine whether the publ
demands were best conserved M th'
elevation of our territories into states
He saw the nation as whole, on
language. one literature. manners an'
cumlercncc. homogeneous IN though
end purposes; with sectional lines an'
discussions erased and within one un
ION. And he beleved-indeed he knew
that the more strong states ther
were, the more perfect that unlol
would be-
when Oklahoma was scen . vas
but fertile land unpeopled and the op
pornuity offered to I'll it with home
and start il on the pathway 10 state
hood was recognized it was given 4
me, as secretary 70 prepare the neces
sary measures and 20 open the countr
on the 22nd day OF April, 1900 and a
noon that day an time the bugle am
the cannon sounded. Forward Okla
homa The echoes are yet in on
soul. as IS the remembrance OF tha
great event. aud we TODAY have coin
10 celebrate 81, because il has prove
10 be- and viii continne to prove itse
10 be. one of the signal events 10
good IN American history