Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-30
SPEECH BY FAIRBANKS
Vice President at a Battlefield
Celebration
AT 0SAWATOMIE, KANSAS
Fiftieth Anniversary of Noted i'.Fl%'.,
Battle.
JOHN BROWN CENTRAL FIGURE
+ A Rousing Reception to the Distin-
guished Indiana Statesman-Re-
ception and Luncheon.
AT 0SAWATOMIE, KANSAS
JOHN BROWN CENTRAL FIGURE

OSAWATOMIE, Kan, August 3O.-On the
battlefield Of Osawatomie, where half a
century ago the first armed conflict over
slavery took place. Vice President Charles
w. Fairbanks today delivered a stirring
address to 8,OO0 persons. The occasion was
the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary
of the battle Of Osawatomie. in which John
Brown was a central figure.
Mr.. Fairbanks was given a rousing re-
ception at the train upon his arrival here
He was escorted to the Masonic Temple,
where a reception was held. Later a visit
of inspection was made to the state insane
asylum.
After luncheon the Vice President was
escorted by two companies of cavalry to
the famous battle ground There a military
salute was fired in his honor and he was
cheered by the crowds. On the stand with
Mr. Fairbanks were Gov. Hoch of Kansas
and United States Senators Long and Ben
son, all of whom had accompanied the
Vice President from Kansas City.
Mr.. Fairbanks Address.
Vice President Fairbanks said in parts
This occasion takes our minds back to a
period of dramatic interest in American
history. to time when the passions among
the people were deeply stirred. The times
then were ominous. The people could see
the vast gathering clouds of an impending
contest-a contest between the friends of
freedom and slavery for ultimate suprem-
acy. 1t was a day of acrimony, of bitter
ness, Of sharp impea chment Of the motives,
the purposes and the patriotism of men.
I'VE have not come hither to awaken in
any ungenerous sense divisions which made
hrrf fhav TO
the present with the past, to recall the
heroic. service of men in the interests of
home and country; to kindle anew our pa
triotic zeal and to glory in triumphs Of
freedom in America.
'The contest which followed the passage
of the Kansas-Nebraska bill on the soil of
Kansas was unique in our national expert
ence. The war which waged here was it's
natural fruit. The engagement was a spo-
radio outburst-a stray shot upon the picket
line. and truly presaged the larger engage
ments OF the mighty armies of the north
and the south.
THE day of slavery is fast receding It's
stories and tragedies seem now almost to
be part of neurological lore The present
wears such different aspect from the
strained and tragic past. The sad shadow
of disunion has passed and the north and
the south are knitted together by mutural
respect and love of a common country and
other in the great conflict glory in its
prOvidentia1 issue.
1.-The past has transmitted to the present
its burdens and its great responsibilities
1t were the irony Of fate II we should not
preserve and secure to all the fullest possi-
BILE enjoyment of the blessings of liberty
which have been vouchsafed to US through
the sacrifice of those who have achieved
It. The weak must be safeguarded against
the unjust encroachments of the strong.
All must be protected to the utmost in
the opportunity to enjoy the privileges
which were intended to be and are Of
right theirs under the genius and spirit Of
American institutions.
I'VE face that future radiant win golden
promise, resolved to make our country
hut ereatSr than ali In the splendid eharac.
ter Of its citizenship; country where the
dominant note shall be fair play for all
the forces which make for the advance
ment Of a great, righteous people,
Mr.. Fairbanks left this afternoon for
Dodge City, Kan, where he is to speak
at G. A. r, reunion. From Dodge City
he will go to Boise City, Idaho, as the
guest of the National Irrigation Congress.