The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-03
OKLAHOMA BUILDING
CORNER STONE LAID

In the United Sldl+S
North and South Meet.
1.-THE development made by the people
of Oklahoma during the short period of
her history has been phenomenal the
world had never before witnessed such q
randi change from Natures domain of
wilderness to land of civilization Yes
terday land without civic organizations,
land of uncertainty; today land OF
civilization, dotted all over with populous,
thriving towns and cities, every, padt OF
it traversed by railroads, everywhere
covered by happy homes; citizenship
composed of the enterprising elements
from every state in the Union, develop
ment in a dozen years equal to that mace
by most states in half century. Such Is
fair Oklahoma, the sunny wonderland OF
the southwest, the infant of the Louisl-
ana Purchase, and, as We hope ana De
lieye. the next star to be placed upon
the azure field of old Glory. Although
Younger than all the commemorative
Oklahoma is not least in Importance
Her climate is ideal; her people represent
all the el dement's that make up our sociai
structure throughout the United States
From the northern pines, the northwest
ern prairies. the central states, the Pacihc
slone the Atlantic shores, have come the
naonle who have builded SO wisely ana
wsll in this new commonwealth. Also
from the southland, where the mocklng
bird sings and the magnolia blooms, have
como the children of the great republic
who have cast their lot with their coun-
trvmen from the north, and, side by side,
are building well the foundation for one
ct n
renublic. No where in the Union dc the
reople of the north and south know eacu
other as well as they do in Oklahoma
They have doubtless gone TO that couii'i
with n little sectional prejudice character
/ istic Of both, but since becoming az
ouainted prejudice has given way 10
sentiment of genuine citizenship. In Oh-
lahoma a man is not estimated oy INC
geography of his native state, put py MS
qualities as a citizen. The descendants oA
the Puritans have met the descendants
Of the Cavalier in that land and they are
friends.
..It has been we'll said by some one tnat
| tbe limited States is fusion OF an inc
neonle of the world, and that Oklahoma
! &c a fusion of all the people OF the Ohlteo
| States.
Conclusion.
II is appropriate that we should ASSEM-
ble here as representatives OF the last
territory carved out Of the Louisiana
| Purchase and lay the corner stone Oh d
/ building TO be dedicated to the genius ot
American enterprise and the grandeur Oh
pestern progress. The structure to De
erected here will form portion OF those
! monuments which are being raised 10
! commemorate one of the greatest acmeNe-
| ,,an+s in civilization that the world mas
| e,,er vftnessed-the transformation Oh
H. western wilderness into one OF the
greatest wealth-producing domains upon
g. MN of the world. Upon this corner
etonA will be reared a structure whlch
,o,lrose,ts the most rapid development
over made in the settlement OF any couh-
try. oklahoma, the youngest ciiiiu y.
this great western empire, the land Oh
| wonder, the magic commonwealth peo-
pied in day
1 1T is with pride in the BRIEF put spieh-
did history of the past, and nope ana as
s,,rance of the future of our peloVeu lei-
| r,torv. that we as citizens OF OKlanoiiia
assemble here today to place stone az
y memorial. and to join with our slste1
commonwealth in commemoralng an
ovant which marks golden era IN th e
glorious achievements of our republic
Oklahoma Headquarters.
Regardless of the fact that there ate
| MANY states represented here ana many
dirnitaries of international prominence
nreeent at the exercises incident TO the
dedication of the Louisiana Purchase
Centennial Exposition, Oklahoma has
rnada a decided hit in the events Oh the
,.aa1, The coming Of Oklahoma people
MANY hundred strong. by speciai tram
over the Frisco system, had Deeh an
noupced DAYS before the time for the ded'
;catorv exercises. The arrival Oh ths
snecial train of many coaches at th'
1-,ion station. which edifice was CROWDED
with spectators and trave:ers, caused th'
word 10 go forth that oklahoma
here
Tho Headquarters of the Oklahoma
-, have been at the Lindel hotel
Rooms were engaged weeks ago. ana IL l.
at this hotel that representative persons
from all parts of the territory may o.
/ found Olzlahomans may be stopping Il
other parts of the city, but when th'
/ roundup is made, these persons are 4
he found ar the Lindell. always talkins
~ oklahoma her progress and resources
for the benefit of the easterner or soulh
erner who has little idea Of the territory
! the baby which now occupies such
unique position in the affairs OF m
t nation. To attract rapid fire question
from, visitors in st. Louis at this parucu
= lar time all that IS necessary Is 10 sa'
: .bs, Won are from Oklahoma" and IN
,erson who IS always Immediately inter
-.o5 ,,non this announcement will do tn
rest
5 Governor t. B. Ferguson, his STAFF an
2 members of the oklahoma commission I
| the exposition have been very busy sine
: arriving here. Seemingly they have no
( had = minutes rest during the entir
= time aud vet they have enjoyed thei
/ stav These men are always in Whe
: things are happening and their prese'lc
= has been demanded when more than oroi
nary events are on the seeheduie-
Band In Demand.
Whatever else may be said Of the AZ
= naarance Of Oklahoma at the dedicator
exercises il can be chronicled withou
: successful contradiction that the Okla
: horla Cavalry band, the pride Of Okla
/, | hona. has more than won the piaUdi'
: ~ i;s hearers wherever il has playeS
: Seemingly the band has played inces
: sanity and the musicians in the organlza
) ton rank up with members Of siHaa
/, organizations brought here BY states al
= ioininr Oklahoma Captain T A Ne
% ~ the band. secured expert musician
-. -aNrr-