Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-11-03
GOVERNOR ISSUES
CALL TO OBSERVE
safes BIRTHDAY
EXECUTIVE ASKS ILLINOIS RESI-.
iDENTS TO CELEBRATE NINE
TY-NINTA ANNIVERSARY OF 40.
MISSION INTO UNION.

Springfield, Nov. 3.-Urging a gen
eral observance of the one hundredth
( anniversary of the state of Illinois on
and after December 3. Governor Frank
o. Lowden today issued a procama.
tion calling upon every county in the
state to form organizations and co
operate with the Illinois Centennial
Commission in planning an appropriate
observance OF the year. In his proc
lamation the governor disagrees with
some that the time is inopportune be-
cause of the worldwide war. declar-
ing the people can share the burden
of the war more lightly by reviewing
the first hundred years OF Illinois
achievements
The proclamation follows:
On December g. Illinois will enter
upon the hundredth year of her state
hood. The General Assembly of Illi.'
nos has created a Commission. TO
provide for the celebration of our
Centennial. 1t already has plans well
under way to make this even worthy,
of the greatness and the history of
Illinois. But its work will not be
complete unless the counties of the
state shall also organize for this pur-
pose. There is not q county in llli-
ncis, which has not been the scene
of string and important events, which
should find place in the permanent
history of the state.
Now is the time to single out and
record these events. 1t is common
knowledge that young and expanding
community. absorbed in making his
tory. is only to careless about record /
ing the history It makes. Many points /
in lllinois-scenes of momentous hap
penings-which could have been
sought out and marked half a century ,
ago, and have become fixed landmarks, /
are now only vague traditions. And. /
so. while, it is yet time let our one I
hundredth year be marked by fixing
permanently the events OF our first
hundred years, SO far as they may be |
fixed at this time.
1t is thought by 'some that the
time Is not fitting for this celebration,
because Of the worldwide war in
which we find ourselves. do not
share this view | realize the great
ness of the burdens this was imposes
on us. We, of Illinois, will bear those
burdens more lightly if we shall re.
call the first hundred years of Illinois
achievements. Our fathers before us.
too, bore heavy burdens. They. too,
knew what II meant to offer all for
a great cause They, too. faced danger
and difficulty. But they truimphed
over ALL and this great commonwealth
the home of twice the number of
free men the United States contained
at the close of the Revolutionary war
10 tut ItSull
We have hundred years of noble
history as a background. Whether
we shall have another hundred years
equally inspiring, depends upon the
issue of this worldwide war. 1t will
help Illinois to play great part in
this war ii her people will refresh
their courage and strengthen their
will BY study OF our first hundred
years.
Now, Therefore Frank O. Lowden.
Governor OF Illinois, here call spe-
cial attention to December 3, 1917,
as the ninetyninth anniversary of the
formal admission of our State into
the Union, and as the beginning of the
Centennial year, ana urge the general
observance OF this day thruout the
commonwealth; and further urge
that organizations be formed in every
county to cooperate with the Illinois
Centennial Commission in planning
an appropriate observance of Illinois
Centennial Anniversary
(Signed)
GOVERNOR FRANK o. LOWDEN.
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