The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-07-27
Jasper HIlnes' Jottings.

I
The reunion of old-time friends and
acquaintance in Alexandria proved
to be very pleasant affair and sue
cess in all its features. The coming
together of SO many friends taught
the great lesson of the value of So
ciability. Il people and nations were
better acquainted with each other, as
suredly there would be less wars.
/ have just received volume one of
the Lincoln Series. issued by the Illi-
nois State Historical Society. The
book is of six hundred pages, con-
tanning much Of the speeches of Lin
coin and Douglas during the senator
ial campaign of 1858. 1t is work of
great historic value. Scattered
through the volume are extracts from
many papers all over the land, thus
showing the universal interest in the
political issues of the times.
Here is a quotation concerning the
great debate at Quincy, which is of
historic interest:
1.-THE Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Octo-
Der 26, 1851
THE people poured into Quincy on
Wednesday last from all quarters.
The Quincy, the Col Morgan, and the
ferry Hamilton, starting from this
point, took down several hundred The
City of Louisiana arrived there from
below at an early hour, crowded to the
guards. Each party had professions,
with music, each headed by young
ladies on horseback representing the
states. The speaking commenced at
two O'Clock p. M, by which time the
public square was pretty we'll filled
with a living, moving multitude. Be-
fore the: speaking commenced, the
seats which had been erected in front
of the speakers stand, gave way and
several ladies were taken out, more
or less injured
The most familiar character at the
reunion in Alexandria, was Charley
Becker, who lived many years in the
old town and enjoyed its prosperity
when at its high tide along in the
fifties, sixties and seventies. Charley
looks just as good and talks just as
kindly as in the remote years when
/ was boy The first riding cultiva-
tor I remember seeing was one which
Charley brought out and used In his
corn field, and for company took a
ride with him on the machine. The
cultiyator was operated by foot pow
er
Since Texas voted SO nicely for a
new birth of freedom in good morals,
I am inclined to favor going down
there TO reside. Now let the good peo-
pie OF the state rise up and put out
all the designing politicians and
enemies OF virtue and moral govern
ment Forty-five other states may
also do likewise.
A pair Of yellow billed cuckoos built
their nest In the dense cedar tree
which stands within six feet of the
tent which ] use most of the time.
and IT Is a study in natural history
how fevoted and Industrious those
birds are in caring for the welfare OF
their little croakers. The new gener-
alton hare come out of the home
nest and are now taking little lessons
in passing from twig to twig. The
way that the old birds provide food
and hurry their little birds on to ma
tur.ty is a spirit OF providence which
would even please socialist. The
cuckoo class raises just two birds. like
the dove, whipporwill and some 9TH
ers
Those who kept their faith strong
all through the long drought came out
stronger and higher, and those whose
faith was weak, live on and occupy
the seats far away from the speakers
stand.
Henry Becker came to Alexandria
in 1870, II my memory Is correct. and
he has remained active all these
years as a good citizen of the Amer
lean republic. He asks me to write
pretty often for The Gate City.
JASPER BLINES.
Seven Pines