New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-29
CLEVELANDLAUDS MORTON
DEPLORES AGE OF GRAFT.
Grandson Of 4rbor Days Father
UnUeiLs Monument.

Nebraska City, Neb. Oct. 2S-In the presence
of 5000 persons and with elaborate ceremony, a
statue of ]. Sterling Morton. Secretary OF Agri-
culture in the last Cleveland Cabinet, and
founder of Arbor Day unveiled at Morton
Park this afternoon. Among those present at
the ceremony were ex-President Grover Cleve-
land ex-vice- President Adlai f. Stevenson, Gov
ernor Mickey. Hilary A. Herbert. David r. Fran
els and others associated with Mr.. Morton in his
term of office Sterling Morton, a grandson of
the Secretary, drew aside the curtain which ex-
posed the statue to view.
There were six addresses, principal Of which
was that of Mr. Cleveland, which was a touch
ing euogy of his former Cabinet officer and
personal friend. The other addresses were by
Governor Mickey. who welcomed the visitors;
Hilary A. Herbert David R. Francis. Mr..
Stevenson and DR.. George L. Miller of Omaha.
Mr. Cleveland said in part:
I have not come to the surviving family of j.
Sterling Merton and to those who were his init
mate friends and neighbors for the purpose OF
and mental endowments. You who. within the
his love- Son wR H DAILY fo eeT and delight
in the sunlight of his STEADY constant friendship
been stirred to admiration and attaGhment of his
with whom his lot was cast need no words of
mine TO in your minds the sentiments which
all were silent the beautiful monument here erected
shin and SANITATION which are today revived by
the recollection Of an affectionate. dutifu and
But / am not here without mission 1 would
fam Interpret this monuments message to ms as
in the discharge of the highest public duty. with
cerning ' the things he revealed to me in light
of that companionship and coronation Inis
simple and sure standards of public morality. MS
herence to opinions deliberately and conscientiously
adopted. his generous concession to others of every
EeTVe f bes of his
/ not required, for the sake of exaggerated
these virtues our friend was distinguished above
ava a and knew the pgt because in defence cf
ing fight and suffer not only in a small arena OF
dender amphheatre Of public life He Deved
that the same and good faith exaeted by a
people from those who assumed official responsi-
Dendre sn was e sine These Beliefs were not in his
mind. comfortable sentiments mildly stimu-
centives to battle The noxious atmosphere of
d 5 coad bo e @ho hd
learned TO scott at official economy or the tnreats
public funds to private gain, drive him TO compros
mise with Bold and de en- IN eme s did
the dauntess Father of the 5d ho o REQ
tract anything; for to act against conscience is
thus It was that our friends fine moral percep.
ton and his love of rectitude shed bright + ana
nS bn aid s his On Clean tne Of duty
impressiveness to his efforts toward the highest
keen intelligence and his worldly wisdom that
taught him that an effective equlpmenJ tor 'n nf
sterner stuff; and there never servant or
the people WhG IN re With fortI1e or
saw the submergencc of friendly relations Win st
honesty and wrong whether lurking with friends
or foes.
CHARACTER CORNERSTONE OF ACHIEVE
MENT."
After referring TO Mr.. Morton great love-
Of nature and the founder of Arbor Day. Mr.
Cleveland continued
None Of should 60 from this place ere a
should learn that character uncorrupteda py me me
corrosion of sordidness and money madness, is the
cornerstone of every truly useful life ana OF every
10 the moral sense which God has vouehsafed to
minds to the truth that character represents tie
real value of man according TO 5ns daoS
urab from reputation, which measures man
worth by the shifting and untrue STANDARDS OF
We have fallen upon days when our people are
more ba t sa1 eset grace Of and hooking
the worship OF money making idols Daily ana
oharacteress lives are seen in appalling numbers s
without chat or G9paS amd brepch of trusts
How iii have these wrecked lives EXCHANGED the
which Character and rectftude point out for wild
and headlong rush over unknown seas IN a con-
If people ever return again to their trust in
terprise and immense material growth It VIII be
when take to heart the tIiH significance OF
such a cornmemoraticn this. We memoriaze
q man who not only earned the lasting honor OF
his countryrnen but whose life in all things worthy
of high endeavor, was abundanty successful
AS a pioneer who Iabored TO improve the new
country of his home he lived TO see it blossom as
the rose; as scholar he cultivated his own mental
powers and acquired knowledge, In order that he
might be able 10 instruct and benefit others; as
statesman he left the impress of high aspiration
unon our citizenship and of usefulness and fidelity
mon our public life. and as the father of tree
planting he gained the grateful remembrance of the
old and young of the present generation and that
of generations yet unborn All these things he
wrought out through the power of strong, whole
some patriotic and beautiful character.
Let those of us who were his fellow citizens and
knew his life. heed his example; to the end that
orr work may be Unseltish and more loyal
TO the purposes of God and the betterment of our
fellow men Let his sons. in whom was centred
All his worldly pride, remember that the only
success that is satisfying and honorable is that
achieved in their fathers spirit and high resolve
It Is fitting that this monument should recall
memories that must not die. 1t is well that 1t
should the living to noble endeay9 Ii But
10 the dead il aVails not. He has reared MS own
monument more durable than brass or stone