The sun., 1908-06-02
KINGSTON is 900 YEARS OLD
AND CELEBRATES THE ANNIVER-
SARY IN A FITTING WAY.
R,s Parade Followed by Spectacular
reproduction OF tho sf0rming OF Goy.
Stuyyesant's First stockade and q
Historical Address by Gov. Hughes.

HpDrOuugUNn Oh tilD 6tbEfthib VI "ofs
stuyyesants First stOckade and O
Historical Address by Gov. Hughes.
KINGSTON, N. Y; June 1.-As time and
history go over in this country we think
we are doing pretty well here to-day in
celebrating the 25Oth anniversary Of the
f,unding Of this Dutch-American town.
TO be sure Southold, L. l., had q
birthday numbering as many years some
few wears ago, but that town ID a good deal
nearer Capt. Kidd's favorite haunts than
ia this quiet settlement In the peaceful
purlieus Of the noble Hudson. And more
over Kingston has celebrated with mixed
feelings, the emotions OF reverence evoked
by the transfer and reinterment here OF the
remains Of New York's first Governor and
one of Ulster county's first citizens, Major
Gen. George Clinton, being mingled during
these last three days Of ceremonial exer-
cises with the feelings Of gladness and
exuberant Joy naturally incident to 30
honorable birthday as the 2SOth ami
yersary OF the establishment Of city which
once had hoped to be the capital OF the
United States.
In going back to-day in mellowed mem ory
to the Indian times in the valleys Of the
Hudson. the Waikiki. the Rondout and the
Esopus Kingston sought to achieve the
fttest in the way Of connecting and uniting
the present with the past. and while bring
ing the Governor Of the State here to OK :
pound the towns history and evoking
the sad and glad remnants Of the red men
TO celebrate in spectacle some Of the settle
rnent's earlier struggles the management
Of the great historical demonstration
prayed the Great White Father at Wash
ington to signalixs the event by official
recognition from the present capital Of the
nation, and 80 1t was that the birthday
was begun this morning ON receipt OF an
electric message from Washington which
started a parade three miles long and an
hour and half In passing given point.
Gov Hughes was in q part Of it. He re-
viewed 1t all.
To-day, while hundreds OF patriots paid
homage at the tomb Of Gov. Clinton In
the intervals Of the greater demonstration,
the people en- masse gave themselves to
enjoyment of the speotaoles provided and to
shouting over Kingstons illustrious history
and for her hoped for future greatness.
Beginning with the great parade in the
morning and early afternoon and ex-
dress. over the spectacular reproduction
of the storming Of Gov. 6tuyvesant's first
stockade and throughout tho evening,
when there was q brilliant show Of fire.
works on the banks OF the Hudson between
Rondout and Esopus creeks at Kingston
Point, the town and it's neighbors from up
and down the Hudson Valley and along
the slope Of the Catskills gave itself to Joy
and to neighborfy rejoioings
Besides members Of the Grand Army and
The militia and the Governor, volunteer
tiremen's organizations and plain citizens.
The parade Included many posts Of Red
Men, with names suggestive Of the tradi-
lions Of earlier days, among them the tribes
NawaCsing, Minnewaska. Wioopee. Apo
keepsing Wagpinger. Muchattoes. Cohoon-
SHE, Mohondi. Umpqqs. sounnemuok, Ko-
Gov Hughes had mingled with all these
and afterward reviewed them from q grand
stand In Academy Green, from the same
stand he addressed q crowd OF enthusiastic
citizens. His address for the most part
sharply down TO the present just prior TO
his peroration. In this latter part Of his
address Gov. Hughes said:
This occasion brings again to our -atten-
ton the importance Of local administration.
/ am Impressed with the diversities that
exist in the meohanism<pf local government
throughout the State and the constant
legislative tinksrine that seems to be needed
to bring these mechanisms into accord with
the wishes Of the citizens OF the various
communities. Anything Like uniformity OF
administration seems an Idle dream And
the constant legislative interference TO meet
naturally recurring exigencies makes Of our
charters Q sorry patchwork. Legislation
breeds legislataon.- Restrictions upon local
administration are made only to be altered
a. emergencies arise. And where restrio.
tion ID absent it's thought necessary to pro-
vide 1t. ! am convinced that the way Of
improvement lies In the direction Of sim
ploity Of charters, providing q framework
Of government with a grant OF appropriate
general powers and with guarantees Of
fundamental rights. The mnuti@ OF ad-
ministration should be governed by bylaws
Or ordinances enacted directly by the COM
mnity through its representatives without
Interference by the Legislature
OF the steps which would be necessary to
accomplish this result shall not attempt to
speak at this time. But tho success Of demo-
cratic governmentk1n meeting the increased
demands Of our growing urban population
must depend upon our broadening and
siren gthening Its base. It must rest upon
the appreciation by the Individual citizen OF
his responsibility for the welfare Of the COM
mnnity In which he lives and upon the quick
ening Of his interest In the conduct of its
affairs Every city should be q school OF
stateHnanship. There should be taught the
lessons Of civic honor and OF devotion to the
public weal. There should be found the sacri-
fees OF patriotism In times Of peace. There
should be the training for the wider RESPONSE
bilittes Of State and nation. And there should
be developed that sense OF the dignity and
worth Of citizenship which will bring to naueh
the devices OF those who twist our republican
forms OF government to suit their petty des-
potlsns and who seek to control for purposes
OF tribute the highways Of our political life.
The source Of political power is more and
more to be found In our cities. And there
also. In an awakened feeling OF responsibility
with regard to matters which directly con-
Germ the lives Of the citizens. may be found the
needed purifying force.
We cannot have progress unless we have Sc
cirty; We cannot have security unless We have
respect for law and order; We cannot have
that respect il administration is bent by ca
price or the powers Of government are cor
rnpted TO serve favored few. As we search
the records Of the past and learn the lessons
OF our history may we appreciate more fully
our obligations to the future, and may we un-
ieservedIy devote ourselves to the cause Of
hnerty established by laws conceived In q
sp'r't OF justice and impartially administered
:, GOV, Hughes also complimented former
Judge Alton b. Parker. who was present.