Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-06-01
THE DAY WE CELEBRATE.

Brigham Young's birthday Is being
duly celebrated. The decorations on
the streets business houses and other
buildings placed there In honor Of the
visit Of the Nations President and left
as Memorial Of the dear departed,
have remained today In commemoration
OF the birth OF the great leader of men,
who pioneered the way across the con-
tlnent and founded city and state
in the midst OF the mountains. It Is
graceful act on the part of our oiti-
gems who are not believers In the creed
that he taught, but who recognize his
value to civilization and progress, ana
regard him as one of the grand spirits
OF the nineteenth century.
The ceremonies Of the day were fifty
opened by the dedication OF Memorial
Hall OF the l.. D. s. University preced-
ed by music and by artillery salutes'
That building is a standing witness OF
President Brigham Youngs true senti-
ments as to education. Accused by his
enemies OF being a foe to scholastic
learning, he was one Of Its foremost
friends. lie projected the Brigham
Young Academy at Provo, the fame
OF which has gone abroad, the Brigham
Young College at Logan a fitting mate
A.. tt. ,ldn. .ta4ar 40 NOT ttu alma mater
and he left means for the establish
ment OF an institution Of learning IN
this city which has been very properly
associated with the J.. ID. $. University
as one of its prominent features. the
greatness of which is rapidly impress
sing Itself upon the people Of the West.
President Young maintained IN early
times q school OF his own at the school
house he built near Eagle Gate, and
encouraged learning both in theory and
Ia practice. Manual training, now re-
ceIving close attention and urgent APP
plIcatlon by our foremost preceptors,
vas one OF his special "hobbes," II 1t
may be so termed. He wanted eduea-
tlon to mean the drawing out OF human
powers and activities, for usefulness in
this world and also to prepare the soul
for the realities Of the world to
cnine. He was rldiculed by some
OF the would-be smart, as limiting edu-
cation for boy to the driving Of nails
or the saving Of boards, ana for Il girl
the making OF bread and the sweeping
Of a room. But he really urged the need
Of teaching boys useful trades as we'll
as theoretical learning, and instructlng
girls In domestic duties as well az in
music and the fine arts. And he also
urged the need Of training the spirit
within, to moral and spiritual excel
lence. obedience TO God and faith in the
Divine.
President Young believed, too, in the
benefits Of recreation. Therefore the
afternoon trip to satalr and the enter
talnment there provided Is timely and
appropriate. He built the Theater that
remains monument TO his good taste
and enterprise, erected when every nail
and bit of glass and all the equipments
for the house had to be hauled by team
across the plains and he encouraged the
production Of moral plays and perform
ances, honoring them With HIS frequent
presence. The dances and dramas In
the old Social Hall, the forerunner OF
the Theater, were conducted in the same
spirit. He delighted In the joyful
amusements Of the children, and labored
10 promote the happiness and advance
nent OF mankind.
As President Of the Church whose
cause to him was paramount, he exer.
cised an influence that was felt in ev-
cry part Of the body thereof. He was
Welcomed with Joy whenever he visited
the settlements, most OF which were
commenced under his immediate tilrec.
tioq, His foresight and sagacity In Sc
LEI : stteA Tor towns and public build.
we're so remarkable. that divine IN
ration was recognized In his instruc-
ions, and devlations therefrom pro-
duced results so decidedly unfortunate
that his wisdom became proyerbial. The
marks Of his genius may be seen
throughout the State, and his utter.
ances TO the Church have made an in.
delible Impress upon his associates and
upon posterity.
The broadness Of his mind and the
grandeur Of his soul were not only
expressed in the lofty and spiritual
sentiments that he uttered, but In the
material structures that he planned
The wida streets OF this and other
Utah cities, the solid and spacious
Temples, the big Tabernacle and many
splendid places Of worship at different
points, designed and built under his
personal oversight, are witnesses to all
beholders Of the mighty spirit that
characterized the man.
His devotion to the principles OF hu.
man liberty, embodied in the Declare
ton Of independence and the Constitu-
ton Of the United States is well known
10 those Of his compeers who still sur
vive him, and that he was truly an
American, with all that word implies
cannot be fairly denied even by his bit
terest antagonists. lie was firm IL
his character but kind in his demeanor
Familiar with his friends and yet dig.
nihed and a gentleman. A loving hus'
band and an indulgent father, his great
soul was mighty In his affections, ant
bis love for humsnity at large was