The Red Cloud chief., 1904-04-22

He accomplished two praiseworthy
feats in the state of Michigan before
his removal to Nebraska.
He graduated In the state university
at Ann Arbor. then married Miss JOY
and with his noble bride came straight
way TO the new territory Of Nebraska
in 1854, where he at once commenced
helping to lay deep and broad founda-
tons for our great commonwealth.
He was among the very first to put
In motion that engine OF magic power,
the printing press, editing the Ne
braska City News. commencing in the
spring of 1855. The paper was first
published in the old government block
house.
He was among the first to till our
virgin soil. He located at what the
world now knows as Arbor Lodge. near
Nebraska City, and there began In a
business way TO make "a home. He ana
his good wife began planting trees
IL would do your soul good, ladies n
gentlemen, to see Arbor Lodge today,
with it's wealth of shade and fruit. a.,
MIR. Morton was called by President
Buchanan to other duties. He become
secretary OF the infant interior. and
was acting governor twice during his
administration. He performed well
whatever his hands found to do. but
his political creed was not in accord
with the majority of our state and for
long years II became his pleasant duty
to lead our people to a higher plane
i'm agriculture. He became q model
farmer. but his principal delight and
highest ambition was to clothe our
b%oundless p~rairies with groves OF tim
Der. He saw the great necessity OF our
wanton waste Of our forests in the
| states. where nature had blessed the
people with forests. His great soul
was all on fire on this very import
ant subject. .
II was his study by day and by,
night. His great efforts and the in
spiration OF his life caused such an
awakening that congress took the mat
ter in hand aud passed the timber cul-
ture act and the forest reserve acts.
and the Nebraska legislature was In
duced TO name Arbor day as a holiday.
and also encourage the planting or
trees by relieving certain lands from
taxation. where timber was planted
and cultivated. Nebraska taking the
lead in establishing Arbor day as a
legal holiday. nearly all u states
have followed as well as many nations
of the world. When Nebraska be-
came a state in 1867 II was a boundless
prairie. with scarcely a tree or shrub
In sight, except along a few or the
streams. Now 1t is dotted all over
with beautiful groves OF timber. ag-
%gregating thousands OF millions oil
trees. The great middle west is now
beautiful with hundreds OF thousands
Of groves that are a Joy to all behold
ers. giving shelter from the chilling
winter winds and a cooling shade In
summer, and adding a great wealth o.
fuel and useful timber for a Thousand
uses.
One OF the sages wrote the axiom
The man who causes two blades q
grass to grow where only one grew be
fore, Is a henefactor. Then how mucl
more is our hero a benefactor, that hai
led the way in planting countless mil
2 lions of the grandest plants upon tn
n earth.
In recognition of his great servic
, to the country and to mankind, Presi
rent Cleveland called him to a plac
in his cabinet and he became In 1S9
the first secretary OF agriculture. 1
organizing the department of argicul
ture he displayed such business aDilit
that he was soon recognized as IN
master mind of the administration.
Now, my fellow citizens OF our grea
republic, is II not most fitting that tn
noble character should have his nam
carried to future generations as a
p inspiration? And now we ask the GOO
and wise people of California to accel
his tablet and place II npO the trun
of this giant of the forest. he love
so well. Grand tree. that has sto0
for so many centuries, til thou ha'
with thy roots penetrated deeply In tt
- soil of California. and upon thy grei
symmetrical trunk. lifted thy eve
s. green sombrero high up toward u
IT. sky. where 1t has kissed the breeZ'
of the great ocean for thousands
n years. Now hast thou another duty
:, perform. Thou mayest carry upon II
l. body this memorial Of thy create
friend. as an inspiration to all peopl
G. and countless generations yet unDor
4. May thy majestic form stand throut
the coming centuries, the delight or {
III beholders bearing this precious memo
ial in everlasting bronze, and may q
ce children to the remoteSt generate
1. gain a new and better inspiration
the gaze upon the ponderous form
Vi all your grandeur, bearing the mar
of one that has accomplished so mu
for humanity!
With the kindest regards OF all TT
Nebraskans, to the people or 20
great and growing commonwealth,
-. have the honor Of being your opedio
et servant. w. w. cox.
Chairman Committee,