Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-07-23
A GLORIOUS ANNIVERSARY.

Tomorrow win be tho anniversary Of
TIE entrance Of the pioneers, under
President Brigham Young into the
Valley OF the Great Salt Lake. which
occurred July "a. 1897. An advance
guard headed by Elders Orson Pratt
and Erastus Snow. arrived on the
ground two or three days before and
had followed the instructions Of the
President finding a spring Of water IN
the spot that De had designated and
preparing the way for The coming OF
The company That day marked the
opening Of a new era for this West
ern country.
Up TO that time this region was
wilderness. dry. barren treeless and
sun-haked. II was very forbiddlng
except 10 the view OF the chief pio-
neer whose foresight perceived some
thing OF the grand transformation that
would take place through the advent of
the people Of whom the pioneers we're
The forerunners 1t Is difficult for peo-
pie who behold the beauties ~ the
present landscape, with the cities and
towns and improvements with the
modern utilities and appliances that
are now IN evidence. to credit the story
Of the tenantess desert that stretched
before the gaze Of the weary pilgrims
who had traverscd the vast stretch
Of country from the Missouri river TO
this point, when they emerged from
the canyon and took their FIRST look
at the spot they intended to make their
home Indeed. some romancers have
endeayored to picture the scene as
one Of comparative fertility, with grass
and trees 10 grace Il and relieve the
monotony Of sagebrush and sand But
the testimony Of eye-witnesscs Is too
strong and positive and unanimous 70
permit OF contradiction, and the fact
remains uncontroyer,ed. that this
was then an arid and repeling waste.
Changes that have been wrought are
the fruits OF toll and skin and the IA
vor OF Divine Providence The predic-
,ktls OF Isaiah. the Hebrew prophet
=. leeruing the latter-day Israel who
>, EN- entered this promised land"
nave been fulfilled. The wilderness
and the solitary place have been glad
Tor them. Springs have come forth
and waters in the desert" Zion has
come W into the high mountain
Joy and gladness have been found
therein. thanksgiving and the voice %
melody Her sons have come from
lar and her daughters from the ends
OF the earth" They have Hocked here
"as doves TO their windows" The
north has given up" the south has
hot kept back" Riches have been
poured into her lap--the products Of
the soil and OF the everlasting hills and
the wealth brought from abroad.
a commonwealth has been estab-
lished that Is q glory 10 the nation.
and the nag Of our country honored
nom the first day that the pioneers
took possession Of the soil. floats in the
breeze from flagstaff and tufret from
private and public ed.hces throughout
the hand as the emblem Of liberty and
the sign OF devotion 10 country. The
spirit Of progress Is IN me air 40
obstacles raised by the hand Of op-
position or barrier invented by malice
can stay the onward march Of this
community, There has been one con-
tlnuous movement forward and upward
during the entire period since the rlo-
neers seq foot upon this now splendid
spot
II f. proper that their coming
should be celebrated u Is right that
their names should Do houorcd II
g. fair that their deeds should be- lsud-
cd lie who would grudge them their
fun need Of praise Is without heart
and destitute Of humanity There is
no need 90 draw comparisons or COM
trasts between Pioneer day and the
anniversary 81 the Nations birth.
Both arc honored IN Uuh's history
The glorious Fourth was celebrated
by the pioneers ON their way 90 these
wales II has been kept Do memory
always when Pioneers day has been
commemorate. the Stars and Stripes
haveMways been aung 20 he hresze.
and the Declaration NJ Independence
and the national Constitution have
been held forth IN honorable remem-
brance as proc'amat!ors Of freedom
and equal r.ght'
People who Do not view the coming
~ the pioneers os We do. mas form
their own opinions a7 90 fhe cause o'
the great movement westward which
has brought forth such magnificent
rcsults We give the rlor, FOO cod
feeling 70 the depth NJ the soul ha.
He moved upon the leaders .f nrr
people 20 brave me dangers 1f -h.
wilderness % crose streams and NOUN.
tains to The spot pointed out Ir pro.
pheiic vision az the future habrauor
~ the Latlor-day Sa'ns vs.. -a.or.
rize His guiding hand ard ihe work.
ifg ~ His Providence Ir thr events
attending the settlement rrf up.
building - mis- now glorious region.
hut those who d. not I1ri with ouf
eyes or reason upon our premise.
-hcuid. we think unite with us ia fh.
reioicIues N the time ard jau r
the festivities hat attend ihs ocr7
sion. For % was o. Erad day r.r th,
Pacific Slope when ibe new sound.
that awoke rho stiffness ~ ihr desert
echoed from The hills and assembled Cd
heaven 90 praise to God and Thanks.
giving Tor His mercies The rnncar