The Greeley tribune., 1907-08-01

there are represented in these spark
ling exhibitions the unwise financial
investments amounting to tens Of
thousands of dollars, Of which these
are the only visible evidences.
Providence has smiled upon this
enterprise, for our lawns nave been
providentially and abundantly wa
tered the past few days, so that oul
city fathers can spare enough from
our meagre supply to set this foun.
tain to spouting in its half dozen
places in competition with me.
Why should l speak today when
this is speaking with its beautiful
spray; when its drops are climbing
toward heaven; when 1t is lifting
our thoughts.to better things; when
it is telling to US history Of the days
that are gone? We come here today
to recall the daring and heroism Of
the days that are past. We do we'll
to gather here that we may honor the
pioneers of Union Colony. The day
will come when we sl.all not hesitate
to use the water for the fountain, for
doubtless our grandchildren will see
the realization of the coming of the
water from the hills, and they will
rejoice that there is no limit to Its
flow, no limit to their enjoyment.
The day will doubtless come when We
shall gather here in this pleasant re-
|treat, 90 thoughtsully provided.
when we shall thank the author OF
the earth, the rain and the snow,
for his abundant provision for our
wet needs in dry town, when we
shall thank our citizens, city officials
and others for bringing it to our
town, when we shall thank the Gree
ley Tribune for the erection of this
beautiful monument to our pioneers.
Pioneers are of two kinds-ad-
venturers and heroes. Those who,
escaping from civilization that they
may be unfetted by it's chains, that
they may acquire new adventures,
that they may perhaps recuperate
their waning fortunes. Such me1
have gone to the frontiers.
Then there are the hero pioneer.
whose prophetic visions of future
happiness have caused them to tax,
upon themselves the hardships ant
trials OF the new and possibly unex
plored countries. 1t is such mer
and such women whom we honor to-
day as they are gathered in thi
pleasant suade. 1t is to them thai
this moument is erected.
"Mr. N. G. Meeker declared il
the New York Tribune of Dec. IA
1863:
- 1 propose to unite with tn,
proper persons in establishing /:
colony in the territory of Colorado.
This purpose of his was enthus
iastically endorsed by Mr.. Horac,
r Greeley. the editor, illustrious anc
. we'll renowned, of the New Yorl
. Tribune, the editor who commanded
, young men to go west, whose behes
+ has been needed by many men, youns
and old This man saw the fruit,
OF his ideas far exceed his wides,
hopes, for within two weeks he mel
In the editorial rooms body of mer
who confounded him by their nun
te-s in response to his call ant
Within two months he was in com
munication with more than 1000 in.
dtviduals who we're interested in hi.
great project. No one would have
Thought In that day that men would
be SO eager to come into this new
ana foreign country, in the hope OF
bringing fruitfulness out of that
which must have been we'll nigh bar.
rem soil.
The first meeting of the COLONY
was held in the New York Tribune
office Dec. %, 1869. In the columns
OF that same publication appeared
many letters from Mr.. Meeker, who
was one of Mr.. Greeleys assistants.
THE plan of the colony was laid
on broad, wise grounds and included
the erection of churches, schools.
Libraries, etc. The idea coptem.
plated that each colonist should have
village lot and also larger outl,-
Ing tract OF land. 1 do not know
how it all worked out, ! simp,y
know that during that summer
nearly 700 people Joined this com.