The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-05-08
MR.. cLEvELAHp's ADDRESS.
Former President Reosunts History of
tho Louisiana PErehass.

Former President Rsosunts History Of
tho Louisiana P1rehsss.
Former President Grover Cleveland
was accorded a great reception when
he WAS presented to deliver the ora alton
Of tho day, following the presidents
dedicatory address. Mr.. Cleveland eaid,
in part:
Mr.. President. Ladies' and Gentlemen:
The impreasiveness Of this OCCASION 10
greatly enhanced By reason Of an at
surrounds It. Thn thought il IN our m:nda
that We Arc amid awe-inEpirinE surround
9 whore Wo may soc and fesl things
recognition Of tho ons hundrsdth ami
verssry OF an evont which doubled the
area Of the young American nation, and
American prosress and achievement The
treaty whose completion NE today COM
msMoEste vas Itself Z prophecy Of eur
yelopmont. At its birth prophets in wait
IT, it, } }us1rs pr rSaSsssf "a " 2ho Ma wh tSe
negotiation. as he signed the perfected In
strument, thus declared Its effect and
far reaching consequences; The in,
cause no tears to be shed It prepares
ages of happiness for innumerable gen.
e%rations Of human creatures. The Mis-
succeed ono another-truly worthy OF the
regard and care Of Providence-.n the
bosora OF equality under just laws. freed
from the errors of superstition and the
scourGes Of bad government" He who
represented the nation with whom we ne
Eotiated, when he afterwards gave to the
world his account of the transaction de-
clared: The consequences OF the csssion
OF Louisiana will extend to the most DIS
that viii become By their civilization and
power the rivals OF Europe before an
other century commences" and warmed
to enthusiasm by tho d~svelopments al
rARdH In VinW and greater OnAl nrar0iSed.
he addsd: "Who can contemplate with
out vivid emotions this spectacle OF the
the certain ploGses of the prosperity Of
numbsrlsss generations that will follow?
Prom 1900 to 1aQecyOoo.
Almost within the limits OF the terrt-
tory grained by The Lesisispa ~gslaehass
stateslsavinS stu o large residue. whose
occupants are even now 2o@1fy cAamoEtng
Instead ct the $500 white settlers who
occupied this domain In LEE, It now con-
tatns s.noo.o 1 OF industrious, ~antsrprising
onsa lakfst 81 An eSs popa.i.noa II su aDo u
states: and thsss a1a dsdanty contrasting
for prsniarsh!1 in wealth and material
.sss M..r saaais In sysry phass az ad-
yAnesd intelligence and refined civiliza-
lana purchase and tts value as q national
accomplishment, whoa sAan In the Incl
dents OF its short history end in the Light
OF its presont and prospective shscts; and
Judged solely by Is palpahls and indie
psndent merits. cannot be better charac-
tertzed than by tho adoption OF the fol-
lowing language from pen of a bril-
liant American historian: 'Ths anne1a-
ton OF Louisiana was n event SO poT-
t%entious as to defy measurement It gave
torical Importance next to- declaration
Of Independence and thu adoption OF the
constitution, an event ct which 1t was
tho logical outcome. But as q matter Of
diplomacy, it was unparalleled because It
cost almost nothing" 5
Celebration Is, Most Fitting.
How fitting on every ground 1t is that
the centennial Of this a~tupendous event
sheslld be joyously and appropriately cele-
here In the most populous of the states
created from the territory which the
Louisiana purchase EaVAto us. And how
In keeping tits With-the character OF this
acquisition. and with Its. purpose and mis-
sion. that our celebration should not
that belong to the tEiumphs'an spoils Of
war or TO the rapacious 'dispossessions of
ruthless conquest.
We are here at this hour to dedicate
beautiful and stately edif1ces to the pur-
pose of our commemor9ton. But as we do
this, let US remember hat the soiilwhereon
we stand was a century go dedicated to
the genius of American industry and
thrift. For every reason. nothing could
] be more appropriate as an important part
8 The centennial coInn1emoration we have
on this spot Of the things that are charac-
teristtc OF American effort, and which
tell the story of American achievement
and how happily will this be supplemented
and crowned BY the generous. magnan