The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-08-19

revel in. We cannot be unmindful of
their noble sacrifices, nor can we be
to lavish or prodigal in the praise
and honor that is their due.
There are men present here today
and women, too, who can recall those
early days of settlement in this vi
cinity. They can recall the long,
weary journey by wagon and oxen
across the country in quest of home.
Travelling in those days was not the
luxury that we of today who travel
in Pullman sleepers, enjoy. 1t was
fraught with inteminable hardships
and dangers. And when at last the
end of the journey was reached the
task of erecting a home and shelter
for loved ones confronted them
There was nothing about them but
trees, and the shrubs, and streams, as
Col had left them. Overhead moth
ing but the broad. canopy of heaven
afforded a cover. From this mater
ial these pioneers worked and from
them wrought sturdy huts and cabins,
and commenced the fierce battle for
existence.
| 1t was a noble example. Brave men
with wives and children undertaking
such a task. There was no Turing pros
poets inviting them except what they
could make for themselves by virtue
of Jealous and tireless effort. Here
in the heart of the forest they raised
their families They built their church
es and their school houses. They
reared their boys and girls, imbued
with patriotism-sturdy and brave
from contact with nature and her
hardships and trials. From these
boys and girls, reared in a pioneer
hut, educated through there own per-
severance, came the stalwart citizen
ship that today is carrying on the
work so we'll begun their fathers.
These aged men and women upon
whose brows the years begin to hang
a cruel burden are gathered here to-
day once more into each others faces
perhaps for the last time in the NOR
tai sphere. They congregate to ex
change recollections and to indulge
in fond retrospection. 1t is we'll thai
they are here and it is we'll that we
of newer and younger generation
are here to join them and TO laue
them. But there is a deeper signifi
canoe in this gathering than that O
sentiment. From these old settler
and pioneers we can learn lessor
. and inhale a new inspiration.
Great as were the problems tina
, confronted them when they set on
to hew out of the forest this elaborat
and now opulent community the,
, were small as compared with tina
task that devolves upon us to pee
serve and to perpetuate this heritag
I that they have left us. Within tn
| past four-score of years the growth o
this country has been remarkable
r Step by step old glory has marched i
/ the forefront of freedom and clvlllzi
S ton until it waves triumpnaa.ly o'c
f this immense continent From pac!
: woods country, populated with
e rough sacrificing people, our countr
/ has stepped into the foremost rank
I Of nations-into the very vanguard c
e civilization and culture. What fit
a wears ago was a dense wilderness III
trod by man, today blooms forth ]
! all the glory and lustre of the highes
;-;1;,o+;on Whore the buffalo ra
: amuck and the red man camped toda
v lumes cities of wonderous beallt'e
4 and fields of incredible fertility an
{ productiveness. In place o. the ffo>
It tiersman's uncouth cabin, gre;
J. churches and institutions OF ed &c
It ton have risen up. Where the s,as
| coach wendell it's slow and ci:cul
r lions route, now the mammoth stea
n engines with lines of cars laden VIII
If grain and produce, span the CEN
nent What a marvellous transform
" ton. and with all this change VIVA,
y creased responsibilities devolve upt
: us Life itself has become lnore COZ
- nley and the problems of gnvernmel
1t and social economy that we're on
1T so simple, are now surrounaei WI
d difficulties and perplexities that i
n wise men in state craft eau scarce
ID unfold. But it is not my purpose
ly INCLINATION to go into these propo'
IF +;ons +oday-but in conclusion let II