The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-05-08
Mr.. cLEvELAND's ADDRESS.
Former President Recounts History of
the Louisiana Purchase.

the Louisiana furcnaSe.
Former President Grover Cleveland
was accorded a great reception when
he was presented to deliver the Grafton
OF the day, following the presidents
dedicatory address. Mr.. Cleveland said,
in part:
Mr.. President. Ladies and Gentlemen:
The .mpressiveness of this occasion is
greatly enhanced by reason of an at
mpsphere of prophecy's fult1llment which
surrounds it. The thought is in our minds
that We are amid aW~e-inspiring surround
ings, where we may see and feel things
foretold a century ago. We are here in
recognition Of the one hundredth ami
versary Of an event which doubled the
area Of the young American nation, and
dedicated a new and wide domain to
American progress and achievement. The
treaty whose completion we today COM
memorate was itself a prophecy of our
youthful nations mighty growth and de-
v~elopnent. At its birth prophets in watt
ing joyously foretold the happiness which
chief actor for the United States in its
negotiation, as he signed the perfected in
saTurn nen thus declared its effect fsS and nd
stru1nent which we have just signed viii
cause no tears to be shed. 1t mepares
ages Of happiness for innumerable gen
sissippt and the Missouri will see them
succeed one another-truly worthy OF the
bosom Of equality under just laws, freed
from the errors of superstition and the
scourges Of bad government" He who
represented the nation with whon%we ne
gotiated, when he afterwards gave to the
world his account of the transaction de-
clared: THE consequences Of the cession
Of Louisiana will extend to the most dis
tant posterity. It interests vast regions
that will become by their civilization and
power the rivals of Europe before an
other century commences and warmed
to enthusiasm by the developments al
ready in view, and greater ones promised,
he added: Who can contemplate with
out vivid emotions this spectacle OF the
happiness Of the present generation, and
the certain pledges of the prosperity Of
numberless generations that will follow?
From 5000 to 100000
Almost within the limits of the terri
We have already carved out twelve great
states-leaying still a large residue, whose
occupants are even now loudly %cla1noring
Instead OF the 5000 white settlers who
occupied this domain In 1903, 1t now con-
tains Is, 1000, 900 Of Industrious. enterprising,
intelligent Americans, constituting about
one-f1fth of the population Of all our
states; and these are defantly contrasting
for premiership IN wealth and material
success with the Oldest OF our states, and
are their equals in every phase of adj
vanced intelligence and refined %civiliza-
tion.
The supreme Importance Of the Louis
lana purchase and Its value as a national
accomplishment. when seen in the Incl
dents Dc ats of its short history and in the light
~ SS~ W. NAaA SAASSNoS A%AAN
Judged solely by its palpable and indie
pendent merits, annot be better charac-
terized than by the adoption of the fol-
lowing language from the pen of a bril-
liant American historian: THE annexa-
ton of Louisiana was an event SO por-
tentious as to defy measurement. 1t gave
a new face to politics. and ranked in his
torical Importance next to the declaration
of independence and the adoption of the
constitution, an event of which it was
the logical outcome. But as a matter OF
diplomacy, it was unparalleled because it
cost almost nothing"
Celebration Is Most Fitting.
How fitting on every ground 1t is that
the centennial Of this stupendous event
should be joyously and appropriately cele-
brated; and that it should be celebrated
created from the territory which the
Louisiana purchase gave to us. And how
in keeping it is with the character OF this
acquisition. and with It's purpose and mis-
sion, that our celebration should not
waste itself on the por1p and pageantry
that belong to the triumphs and spoils Of
war or to the rapacious dispoSsessions Of
ruthless conquest.
We are here at this hour to dedicate
beautiful and stately edidces to the pur-
pose CT our com1nemorauon. But as we do
this, let us remember that the soil wherein
we stand was q century ago dedicated to
the genius OF American industry and
thrift. For every reason. nothing could
be more appropriate as an important part
of the centennial commemoration we have
undertaken. than the gathering together
on this spot of the things that ar. charac-
teristic of American effort, end which
tell the story Of American achievement:
and how happily will this be supplemented
and crowned by the generous. maKnan-