The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-07-02
Fine ADDRESS
BY GOVERNOR
WM,O.DAWSON
Interesting Facts
About Our State

JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION, Nor
folk, Va, July 2.-Among the notable
addresses delivered here to-day none
we're better received than that of Gov
ernor VIM. M. o. Dawson, who spoke
as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen
This Exposition is held, in the Ian
gnage of the proclamation of the
President Of the United States, "fol
the purpose Of commemoratlng in
fitting and appropriate manner tht
birth Of the American nation; the
first permanent settlement of English
speaking people on the American con
tlnent made at jamestown, Virginia
on the 18th day of May, 1907, and in
order that the great events Of the
American history which have resulted
therefrom may be accentuatei to the
present and future generations Of
American citizens" The scope of the
Exposition, according to the official an
nouncemnt of the commissioners hay
ing the affair in charge, Is ito cele'
brate the ter.centennIal of the Nations
birth at jamestown, Virginia, by an
exposition on the waters and shores
of Hampton Roads, Virginia" which
.twlll emphasize events of historical
interest illustrative of the principles
Of Religious, Social, Political and Eco.
nomic independence first expressed at
jamestown and later established by
the founders of our Government, rath-
er than to exploit to.day's industrial
development"
Character of the Exposition.
This Exposition, then, is to accen'
tuate the development of man along
the higher lines; the conquest of man
over himself rather than over the fore,
es Of, nature; the development of mind
and character rather than the develop,
ment of material things. But, as the
intellectual, moral and spiritual are
sustained by the material, place
must be given to the material.
Character Of Our Government.
Measured by the flights of years
our country is young In history; but
as we do not measure the character
nor the Accomplishments of the indi
yidual man by his years, neither dc
we compare the accomplishments oil
nations by their age The essential
things are the deeds done, the contrl
buttons to the happiness and develop
ment Of mankind. To the develop
ment Of man all things are subsidiary
and assistant. The civil laws, the
laws Of nature, the laws Of our being
all tend to this end. Liberty is essen
tial to life and happiness; hence that
government which gives to the indl
yidual person the largest amount oi
liberty is the best and greatest gov
ernment. That best and greatest gov
.ernment is the United States OF Amer
-dca. 1t is the first government estab
1ished of the people and by the peo
pie and for the people. And in this
the greatest Of all, Notwithstanding
the short period of its history in years
it has accomplished more than an!
other nation or people, ancient o.
modern.
The Pioneer.
! It Is easy to see why 1t required :
new world, new state of society, q
totally new environment, to effect thi'
great result. The pioneer, unhamper
ed by old customs and old laws, en-
couraged by new scenes and environ
ment, elevated By contact with Ma
ture in her simplest and most majes
tic aspect, learning confidence in him
self by having to fight out alone hi
own battles, becomes the stout ad
vocate of freedom.
a Common Purpose Runs Through All
The planting of colonies in thi.
country is a long history. 1t Is no
my purpose to repeat It These colon
les of pioneers planted the seed ,
freedom which has grown into th'
great tree OF liberty which overshad
ows and protects this great country
Whether the individual pioneers VIII,
crossed the seas to this new worI
came here to find gold, or to conver
the heather, or in pure spirit Of od
venture.-or from whatever motiv
they came,-they came in obedience t.
that purpose which runs through al
history, and which always has withil
Il, constantly unfolding, as Its ult