The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-03-21
OUR NATIONS PROC REss.
Paper Read by Miss Cora B. McCreight
at Paradise Farmers Institute.

onward with a swifter motion than ever
before, leaving behind them more
events in ten years than a short time
ago 1t was thought possible to take
place In one hundred years. We are
living in prosperous age, The years
of peaceful prosperity in which we are
quietly developing a continent are but
the pivot on which is turning the ma
tion's future. The destinies of mankind
for many centuries to come may be SER
iously affected, perhaps determined, by
the men and women of this generation,
but no generation appreciates its own
place in history. Unroll with me the
scroll of our nations history and review
some of the chief events.
Long before the opening of the sew
enteenth century had been developing
the spirit which led prosecuted men OF
all countries to flock to American
shores. They were no longer fettered
by the chains Of ignorance, ind though
ruled by tyrannical monarch-, men wero
beginning to think and act for them
selves. Every year brought new rev.
Citations OF the possibilities o establish
ing free and popular Ove"nment in
the new country. Many Of the towns
and cities sprung up as if by magic.
Every town and hamlet bore the marks
of thrift and contentment. Churches
and schools were founded and books and
papers circulated throughout the col
onies, forerunners of the time when
America should be the most en.ighten-
ed and thoroughly christian nation in
the world {; when throughout its length
and breadth education should be uni
versal and the influence of the gospel
should permeate every home. But the
bright star of peace and prosperity was
not always to shine upon them as from
clear and serene heaven. The time
was near when its lustre would be
dimmed, or when it would even for
time almost disappear from earthly
vision. The sturdy Puritans assail in
unequal combat the savage and the
elements, overcoming both to rise
against mightier foe.
Then down from the grassy slopes of
New England, out of the swamps of the
Carolinas, come family to the ear, "like
the music OF forest leaves stirred by
autumn winds" the drum taps of the
revolution. Riflemen swarmed from
their cabins in the wilderness to the de-
fense OF their country and home. Our
hearts swell with pride as we read OF
their valorous deeds 1t was this pro-
gressive spirit which forced CORVALLIS
to surrender and which gave us the
Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution. 1t guided the course of
Washington. 1t stimulated hearts with
heroic fortitude to endure those terrible
winters at Plymouth Rock and Valley
Forge. 1t inspired the dreadful charges
OF the national army from '6l to '65 and
amid the awful carnage of the Civil war
its principles stood sublime. Though
the darkness of war still enveloped the
land, yet the lightning flash of that
memorable New Years day has light
ened the gloom and revealed the path
way of a speedy return to peace.
A century ago the "Father of Waters"
rolled onward towards the Gulf to the
lone music of its rushing waters. Now
its banks are teeming With fiourishing
cities and suspension bridges span its
noble waters. Among the rocks OF
peaceful harbor on the Pacific coast
stood the lone hut of fearless hunter,
where now stands on the harbor of the
Golden Gate the magnificent city of
San Francisco, To-day, under the
guidance Of an unseen hand, we behold
the grandest republic the world has
ever known. 1t now embraces forty
five states and five territories extending
from the sea board OF the Atlantic to
the rock bound shores of the Pacific
with population of over ninety-four
millions.
The past century has been dis
tinguished by rising flood of inven-
tions. Few realize the rapid progress
made since the application of the power
OF steam and electricity to travel, agri-
culture, manufacturing and commerce.
Seventy-fve years ago the first steam
locomotive was placed on iron rails.
To-day more than 1914 900 miles OF rail-
way traverse our land, on which are
transported millions OF bushels of grain
from central to eastern and western
markets, cotton bales from southern
states to northern mills and manufac-
tured goods from New England to the
far west. Trains are coming and going,
day and night confusion, seldom collid-
ing, all controlled by the finger tips of
the telegraph operator.
Our country has also made great i'm
provements in agriculture. One hum
dred years ago, farming implements
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