The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1902-10-03
the Corn Belt Exposition, to the god
of agriculture and to the art decora-

Of agriculture and to the art decora-
tive.
Almost from the dawn of creation
the mbellishment of person or object
has found devotees, and while we
have progressed in the art, we can
not claim to be the inventors, but
rather imitators N this line of work.
In reading ancient history / find
that way back in the earliest period
of the earth'S history the vegetable
world was called upon to furnish
decorations for the exterior Of some
of the most beautiful edifices the
world has produced; and our pro-
genitors made use of them at a time
when the first discoveries mentioned
in sacred writ STARTLED an almost
celestial pair. The wonderful offices
referred to were the physical struc-
lures Of our first parents, and the
bible says that when they discovered
that they were naked, they immed-
lately made them aprons Of fp leaves.
And thus Adam and Eve became the
first to adopt this style of adornment.
But they decorated the exterior only;
while we, not satisfied with SO in
complete a work, embellish the in
terror also. But even then we are
but imita tors, for that same good
book tells us that years after Adam
and Eve had departed this life the
prodigal son attempted the feat of
decorating the interior when be did
eat the husks that the swine did eat.
And so again we are imitatOrs and
not inventors. But who shall compare
the fig leaf aprons with the rich en-
bellishments Of the exterior Of This
ols 20 \ tol,.
be so pold as to suggest that the in
compared with the interior of this
palalce made dazzlingly ,resplendantly
beautiful by the marvellous witchery
OF women's hands?
The indisputable evidence is before
us that this is q world of progress and
this glorious triumph Of the artists
dream gives conclusive proof that in
telligence and skill are ever advancing
to conquer the world and elevate the
human race.
In olden times games of skill were
very common ;where only the youth
the youngm could hope to success
fully compete for the prize; and many
were debarred even from the test by
physical disabilities; but now we de-
vote ourselves to loftier and more
noble contests. where the mind--that
invisible but mighty fore plays the
conspicuous part ana wnere education
and mental : development counts in
the contest. And right here today
we are witnesses to the wonderful
results that attain from such deyel-
opment.
From crude material; from the
products of the soil in their native
state has been evolved a creation that
almost startles one with the Wonder-
full transformation wrought by the.
ingenuity of man and woman, and
even the tales Of the Arabian Nights
sink into-insig gnficanc when compared
with the transformations wrought
by cunning fingers and the inventive
genius OF our, people.
We have erected this imposing
structure and given it its ornate
beauty, its gorgeous colorings, and
Its symposium OF artistic variety to
the agriculturalist. And this is
fitting. Go where you will: seek the
philosophers stone where you may,
when all has been said and done, we
are compelled to admit that be who
tllls the soil pursues a vocation blessed
OF the Almighty, and crowned with
the benediction of his approval.
And so we come; with joyful hearts
and minds content, to praise the Su-
preme being for the evidence of his.
loving care; and for the wonderful
bounty He has SO richly bestowed
upon our people.
Acknowledging a His power and ex-
tolling His goodness, on behalf of the
management, and as Mayor of our
fair young city, / hereby rededicate
this magnificent poem in grains and
grasses to the uses for which it has
been set apart; and at the same time
extend to all our guests the warmest
welcome that tongue can command
or thoughts express.
The rest of the evening was occup.
led by Prof. DeBaugh and his band,
and a program of rare excellence was
rendered. The band was unknown
to the citizns and there was some
hesitancy as to its being up to the
standard Of previous musical oragni-
zations that have playe edenga gageme
at the corn palaces After the second
selection, however, the band had
played its way into the hearts of the
people, and it's music was heartily
encored. Most of the music rem
dered by the band is of the popular
order, the kind that is appreciated
by the public in general. Prof. De-
Baugh says that it is not his idea in
his band music to attempt to educate
the public, but, rather, to amuse the
people with the music that they like.
Several classical selections were
played that showed the true merit
OF the musicians, and the capa-
bilities OF Prof. DeBaugh as con-
ductor. The music rendered by the
band is of the character that cause
some to become enthusiastic. The
swing to his marches, ragtine
numbers, and other numbers is inspir-
ing and it is most thoroughly
enjoyed. The Republican predicts
that the band will be one of the
greatest successes for all round work
fhof hoe -