The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1903-06-05


contracting for:the construct was a
task OF considerable Importance and
concern to the committee who were
anxious to make the best possible
showing for the money at their dis
posal.
The credit for the design adopted by
the committee is largely due to Hon.
L. @. Kanouse who presented 1t after
a much cheaper and in every way in.
ferior design had been practically
agreed upon. But two of the several
dealers who had presented bids on the
cheaper design would submit figures
on the one selected, all claiming that
such monument could not be con-
structed for $500. or the two bids
presented that Of w. L. Parker, Of
Owosso, was found to be the lowest
and the contract was made March 10th,
the work to be completed May 3Oth.
That the funds entrusted to us have
been we'll expended is evident from
the fact that the actual cost OF the
material and the construction of the
monument amounts to a trifie over
$500.
Careful inspection OF the work dis.
closes the fact that the contractor has
fulfilled every specification and In
some instances has done more. The
memorial is the product of labor en-
ployed In our own county, excepting
the figure at the top which was made
in Vermont.
In conclusion, may l say for the com.
mittee that we are proud of the fact
that Shiawassee county was the birth
place of Ellen May Tower, proud of
the builder who has so faithfully
carved the sentiments of our hearts
into the enduring granite; and proud
Of an appreciative and patriotic people
who made it possible for US to place
the name of Ellen May Tower where
future generations may catch an in
spiration to nobler deeds because of
her example Of self sacrifice and devo-
tion.
There was selection by Prof. A. e.
Ferry's chorus of 20 voices from Owes.
so, and Capt. G. n. Hanks then deliver
ed the address Of the day. He said in
part:
All men are born free and equal, and
endowed with certain inalienable rights,
among which are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness. So spoke our
forefathers more than a century ago.
So say we today. What they meant
was, that all men are by nature free
from any form of slavery, established
and maintained by any form of govern
ment, and equal as to rights of person
and property under all laws by whatso:s
ever power enacted. This principle an
nounced as it was by the colonists as the
predicate to the Declaration of indie
pendence, was instantly adopted by the
people as the controlling factor in the
Inauguration of political government,
in the enactment of laws and the adop-
ton of constitutional provisions. AS it
served the founders of our nation, so it
has served and still serves this genera
ton and it is as vigorous and intense to-
day as it was hundred years ago.
The internal commissions which shook
the foundation of our republic and
strained the bonds uniting the states
nigh to the swapping point, were gener
ated from the conflicting interpretations
and applications of this great principle.
1t is strange coincidence in our history
that about the same time the Mayfower
landed at Plymouth Rock with the Pill
grim fathers. Dutch trading vessel
arrived at jamestown, Va, with cargo
of slaves. Many marine miles lay be-
tween Plymouth, Mass, and James
town, Va, and many years lay between
1920 and 1861, yet, the coincident of
which ! speak was the active beginning
of the inharmonious condition which
ultimately brought on our domestic
war.
There was broad difference between
the early New Englanders and the early
settlers of Southern colonies. There
was striking contrast in the interpre-
tation and application as made by the
two sections of the principle first an
nounced that all men are born free and
equal. And this contrast ultimately
plunged the country into the bloodiest
and grandest war the world has ever
witnessed. The question must be set
tied by the arbitration of arms. The
nation spent millions of treasure, hun
dreds of thousands of precious lives
were lost, and sorrow spread her dark