The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-09-26

historical event; important not only
to Colorado. but to the entire repub
lie. A century has elapsed since ;
that high courage and devotion Il
duty, which is characteristic OF thu
American soldier. crowned the worl
of his expedition to the headwaters
of the Arkansas to the Rocky noun
tains.
We celebrate not only an interest
ing incident, but We pay tribute also
to the American soldier. who has
wrought wondrously not only upon
the field, but in pushing forward the
frontier of our national development
He has always been and is eager to
respond wherever duty calls. whether
it be in the theater of war, or blaz-
ing pathway into new and unknown
territory. We recall with pleasure
and gratitude the names OF Pike,
Lewis and Clark. Fremont and other
soldiers who are forever associated
with expeditions organized for the
opening up of territory in the United
States. We recognize them as path
finders" in the truest and best sense.
1uC dCulStCiilCul vi INK "iAiSh wv
are met to commemorate was a nota-
BILE one. 1t was the fruit Of high
order of moral courage, and Il sincere
devotion to Il soldiers duty. The
brave soldier made his way into Il
new territory. beset with many diff
'ficulties and surrounded with I'M
known hazards. In the discharge of
his arduous task. he Won the approval
of his commanders and the common
dation of history. Our presence here
and the imposing civic and military
display. which We have witnessed, is
evidence of our appreciation of the
merit and worth of his work.
The name of Lieutenant Zebulon
Montgomery Pike is forever identified
with the spot wherein We stand. 1t
is associated Herewith by virtue of
his arduous work. yet if he had never
penetrated thus far century ago
if he had never lived-the work he
did would have been done. This
region lay in the pathway of the
march of our western civilization. and
even ii greater obstacles had inter-
the indomitable pluck, the courage
and the firm determination of our
fathers to span the continent With
their habitations and their power
would have been accomplished in good
time all that was achieved by him.
We would not. however. detract from
the high character of his service. or
from the honor that is justly due to
his memory He was type of the
American soldier. OF whom there
have been many, and of whom there
will be many more. 1t is gratifying
fact that we have always possessed
a wealth Of good men. capable of
rendering and willing to render i'm
portant service in every eXigency and
in every step of our national progress.
While we pay tribute to those of cour-
age and genius who have done great
things in the past, we can match them
in the present in all the high quail
ties which enable them to accomplish
great and difficult things for American
progress and American civilization.
The young soldier who made his
way to the foot of this mighty senti-
mel of the Rockies taught a whole
some lesson. He taught unselfish
service. We perceive in it the great
fact that what men most honor. that
what survives the hour in which men
live, is honorable work in the cause of
ones countrymen and ones country.
Those who live apart by themselves
and take no thought of others, are
least regarded. 1t Is within the power
of each to contribute something to the
welfare of his fellow men; something
to the upbu.!ding of tho community
and the state. Each. as the price of
the liberty which he enjoys. should
make some return in the way of bene-
fcient service to others. 1t is not
necessary that one should be in the
public service in order that he may
do this, for each hour and day brings
its opportunity in the manifold rela-
rticns of life. The great west teaches
"a helpful spirit, large measure of
generous, neighborly regard and
cheerful cooperation in the advance
ment of each and all.
We fully appreciate the tremendous
consequences flowing from Pixies ex-
petition. He blazed the pathway
hither and thousands in due time fol-
lowed where he led Those who thus
came here to set up dominion were
well fitted to found state. They
brought with them into the new field
'of their endeavor the self-governing
instinct of the Anglo-Saxon race, an
1nfiexible purpose which subdued OBJ
stacles and converted to the use OF
man the natural elements which Prov
Idence scattered among these noun
tains. They made laws which had no
higher sanction than their own con-
sent-laws which concerned both life
and property-and they were executed
with all the solemnity of measures
passed under adequate constitutional
warrant. The principles of many of
them so founded upon the assent of
the pioneers have been incorporated,
either in terms or substance, into the
statutes of the country. and have sur
vived to the present day.
The pioneers who cast their lot here
came from the Atlantic seaboard. They
came from the middle west. They
were the most progressive and self
reliant of nearly every community in
the older sections of the country. They
were of honest character whom hard
conditions could not discourage OF
deter. They found in the primitive
conditions of the new territory stim.
nlus to their purpose. They had an
abiding faith in the future and con.
fidence in the vast possibilities tina,
lay in this great western region.
pixies Peak or Bust" was a rough
yet characteristic legend 1t breathet
the spirit of determination which
those possessed who made their way
higher across the great plains. The
weak-hearted faltered. and turned
back, but those who perseyered wen
into the mountains and won from
nature their well-deserved success
Those who came hither to found {
commonwealth were not only brave
but they were warm hearted. TIL,
hraYeRt are indeed tho tanaa.ant