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PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, MONDAY, MAY 27, 1912.
NO. 41.
VOLUME XXXI.
it
IIAli PROGRESS
If
SljnjFGT OF AD
DRESS BY RUE H. FRAHS, SftLUTATORlAll
The Expanion of the United State and Its Progress, From the
Colonial, Down to the Present Time, Discussed Before the
Class of 1912 of the Plattsmouth High School.
One hundred and thirty-eight
years ao the thirteen American
colonies began their bloody strug
gle for independence. Some of
these colonists had come to the
new country, America, to secure
freedom of religion, some to get
out of prison and still others to
gain riches. Time will not .per
mit me to recall to your minds
the trials and tribulations of the
planting of the colonies, but you
all. know of their successes. As
the colonies grew in wealth the
restrictions of the mother country
became more galling. The dom
inating power or "special in
terests" of England oppressed
them until such grievances as:
Taxation without representation,
trial without jury, unrestricted
searches and seizures, sugar and
stamp tax and restrictions on
trade, became unbearable and our
forefathers struck the blow for
independence, not only from Eng
lish rule, but also from "special
interest" oppression.
The , signing of the treaty of
peace began the life of a new na
tion. One whose progress is the
most remarkable which history
records. The Constitution was
written by the far-sighted
patriots, adopted by the conven
tion and submitted to the colonies
for ratification by September,
1787, but not until 1790 did all
the states ratify it. The Constitu
tion was a series of compromises.
On account of the jealousy be
tween the colonies, notable com
promises were necessary. One
great dispute arose over the num
ber of representatives to con
gress, which was settled by allow
ing equal representation in the
United States senate. The second
dispute was a controversy as to
whether slaves should be counted
as population or not, and was set
tled by the three-fifth rule. And
a third dealt with the commercial
and planting states in regard to
the navigation and importation
laws.
Under the new Constitution, a
president had to be selected, and
when the ballots of the electors
were counted it was found that
everyone had given his vote to
General Washington for first
president of the new nation. He
rightly deserved this high honor,
for his labors had been strenuous
and without ceasing for his coun
try. His greatest qualities were
his rugged manliness which gave
him the respect and confidence
even of his enemies. Though he
was at the head of a military
force, nobody ever for a moment
thought or believed he would use
it to secure power for himself.
During his eight years in office
the nation made rapid progress
and grew in strength with great
strides. Conditions improved,
population increased, the bad ef
fects of the war disappeared and
our energetic nation began to ex
pand. The first forward step in ter
ritorial expansion became an ac
complished fact December 17,
1803, when the Stars and Stripes,
instead of the tri-color, floated
over the city of New Orleans.
With this act our nation extend
ed its western boundary to tin
Rocky mountains and paved the
way for future pre-eminence
among the nations of the world
Even today the giant stride thus
taken staggers our imagination
To each one who played a part in
securing for his country this, its
first and greatest acquisition,
known as the Louisiana purchase,
belongs imperishable fame, and
especially must tribute be paid to
the memory of Thomas Jefferson,
the national chief executive, who,
discarding all political and
partisan prejudices, gave consent
to pay France $15,000,000 for this
land and by so doing rendered his
noblest work to posterity. Hut
for this act the United Slates to
day would not extend from the
. Atlantic to the Pacific and from
Caoadu to the gulf. From 1803
lo the present day wnat a wonder
ful progress. The great Ameri
can desert, a barbaric land with
out an inhabitant except the un
tutored savage, trans formed as
by magic, into the great west,
with all her wealth, prosperity
and thousands of industrious peo
ple. You all know the great state
of Nebraska is a small part of
that immense purchase. Ne
braska, with all its magnificent
grandeur, with its thriving cities
and towns, its well cultivated
farms and immense herds of do
mestic animals, is such a contrast
with this territory of 1803 that it
hardly seems a reality, but more
like a dream of some fairy land
Nebraska alone today is worth
more than was paid for the whof
of the Louisiana territory.
Our nation progressed in size
wealth and learning. New in
dustries sprang up; there were
many discoveries and inventions
New slates were admitted into tin
Union until our country was large
eiiemgh to be known as the North
the South, the East and the West
Slavery and slave trade became an
important factor in politics. Most
of the history of the United States
up to the lime of the civil war,
consisted of the struggles evcr
slavery and its development.
Those depending on slave and
col tern power had perfect control
of Ihe southern states and some
of the northern ones. Such op
position to slavery had divided
the Union into the free and slaves
slates. Matters grew worse un
til in December, 18G0, secession of
the slave stales began.
This marks the greatest epoch
in our history, the life of the
Union was at stake. The fruits of
our independence and freedom
from English rule, the power and
prominence of the new-born na
tion were about lo be shattered
and the republic divided into two
nations. In the history of man
kind many republics have arisen,
have flourished for less or great
er time, and have fallen because
their citizens lost the power of
governing themselves. The "in
terests" predominated in the slave
states, but at the head of the fed
eral " government was a man of
great ability, a man of courage, a
patriot and statesman of the first
degree.
"We must have a government
of the pe-ople and for the people,
said the immortal Lincoln. "No
state can leave the Union, and
therefore none has left it." He
issued a call for 75,000 men to
save the Union, and by July, 1801
there were 183,000 "boys in blue'
under arms and present for duty
The civil war, in loss of lives and
material resources, is eme of the
most clamitous episodes of
history.
At Ihe end of the war the coun
try was billions of dollars poorer
than at the beginning. And
has taken many years to outlive
the disasters of that terrible
struggle. Today we delight to
honeir those men in the years from
'01 to '05 bore on their shoulders
the burden of saving the Union
They did not choose an easy task
They did not shirk the difficult
duty. They core the heaviest
burden that any generation of
American citizens ever had to
bear, and because they did this,
they have won such proud joy, as
it, has fallen lo the lot of no other
men to win, and have written their
names on the golden honor roll
of the naliem. After the nation
began to recover from the effects
of this war we progressed even
fasler than before. Slavery had
been abolished and the union of
the states guaranteed.
Having mentioned the birth of
this splendid nation, its expan
sion and preservat ion, let us for a
lew momenta compare the United
Stales then, with that of today.
We started with thirteen small
and jealous states, while today we
have forty-eight united under one,
flair: our stales today are really
one; they are the United Stales of
America.
If you were to see the acts
passed by legislatures ot liw
tales between 1808 and 1812 ou
would find that very many of them
were charters for iron works,
;iper mills, thread works, lac
tone.- for making col ton and
woolen goods, boots, shoes and
rope. These were known r.s Ihe
infant manufactories; what a
contrast with our great industries
of today. They have grown from
infant to gigantic industries,
uch as the steel trust, sugar
trust, oil trust, meat trust, tobac
co trust, railroad systems and
many other smaller combines.
This great progress has taken
place since 1812, only 100 years
igo.
Our government has always
been a representative one to a
certain extent, but during our
progress in other lines, we have
also progressed in politics. Many
cities throughout the United
Stales have the commission form
of government, several slates have
direct primaries for nominating
presidents, and all state and
count v officers. Several have the
election of the United Stales sen
ators bv Ihe people. We also have
the initiative, referendum and re
call, of which you will hear more
this evening.
Can you imagine the difference
of the cities of today with those
of Wa.s'hington's time? What a
strange world he would find him
self in if he could come back am
visit an American city of today
lie never heard a factory whistle
no fire alarm. He never saw
building twenty-live stories high
nor an elevator, nor a gas jet, nor
an electric light. He never say a
hot air furnace, nor entered
Hum warmed by steam. Imagim
'resident ashington being
whisked about (he city in an auto
mobile. In the shop windows
would be scores of articles un
known lo him. He never saw
sewing machine, nor a revolver
it a t i i
nor a runner coat, runner snot
steel pen, nor a piece of blotting
paper, nor a typewriter, bicycle
nor motor cycle. Fancy him try
ing to read theatrical posters and
other sitrns on the bill boards. He
never saw a street car, nor n rail
road. Imagine him taking a llight
in one of Wright brothers' aero
planes. He never talked throng!
a telephone, nor sent a telegram.
Government postolllce would be a
strange word to him. These are
only a few of the millions of ar
ticles unknown to Washington.
It is hardly possible to compare a
city of his time with a city of to
day, the progress being so great.
The progress of the American
farmer has probably been the
most neglected. The poor farmer
has nothing in which to live ex
cept large, handsome houses;
nothing for furniture but up-to-date
fixings, with pianos on the
side; no way to talk let their
neighbors except by 'phone; no
way le get mail except by daily
rural delivery; no way to come to
town except in rubber-tired
bugigc.s and automobiles; no way
to take a bath except in a porce
lain bath tub; no way to get
money except by selling some of
the alfalfa, wheat or live stock
on hand; no way to heat their
dwelling except by furnaces, and
no way to educate their children
except in Ihe district school,
High school and stale university,
with free tuition throughout Ihe
entire course.
The progress of the United
Stales proves the superiority and
genius of the Ameircan people.
It has taken great statesmanship
lo accomplish these great
achievements. Hut in the future
it will require even greater states
men to study the intricate inter
nal problems of our nation.
This has drawn Ihe north and
south in closer union. Rapid
progress and prosperity have
united the west with the east, and
we are one people, who are
inarching under the Star Spangled
Hanner, a flag which lias never
known defeat.
Companies
for Men
REKH
T
HANDLERS
E
IS PROBLEM
Are Now Advertising
to Handle Business
East of the River.
ilrike
The freight handlers
ast of the river is becoming a
eal problem to the railroads. The
managers do not look lor it to
spread west of the river to an ex-
ent I hat will hamper Ihe handl
ing oi business. .Men in tne em
ploy of freight departments west
of the river are not organized and
Ihe call for a strike over all lines
west and southwest of Chicago
will not, have an appreciable effect
this far west. At least that is
what railway managers hold. The
men say that it will not lie a dif
ficult task to organize I lie freight
handlers at every important ccn-
er on western roads and that the
men are now looking lor organiz
ers to snow up any day.
The railroads are now advertis-
ing lor ireigni nanuicrs m Ne
braska papers, and these men are
wauled for service east of the
river. Temporary board will hi
offered these men and they will In
cared lor until the strike is
broken.
Delav lo freight, affects only
less Ihair carload shipments
here cars ure loaded at Chicago
and other loading stations near
there for Ihe west I hey are not
loaded in station order, and Ihe
difficulty of delivering shipments
without loss of time is increased
For instance, it, is reported that
a great deal of freight lias arrive!
at Omaha for stations east of Hit
river in rowa nntl Illinois. This
frcitthl inns he reloaded ami re-
shippeil to reach its destination
The freight handlers say the
watre naid bv the roads is insuf
ficient. The railroads say that.
demands for more money from
every organization has greatly in
creased tin' cosl'of transportation,
while the interstate; and slate
commissions have persistently re
fused applications of Ihe com
panies to raise freight rales to
cover the increased cost of trans
portation. They have reached the
stopping point.
Large Audience Greets the Young People on the Occasion of Their
Graduating Eloquent Address Delivered by Dr. Northrup
of Lincoln Program Is Excellent in Every Way
HUG EXERCISES ELD LAST
1I1G AT HE HELE THEATRE
Here From Avoca.
'From Friday"! Dally.
The Journal was agreeably sur
prised this morning to receive a
visit from the following gentle
men from Avoca: Joseph Zim
merer, cashier of the bank; Peter
B. JorKenson, stock buyer, and
Henry Wul If, a prominent fanner.
They were accompanied by Will
The'ile of Berlin and J. F. Behrns
of Nchawku, the latter a brother
of Henry Behrns, who recently
passed away at his home in Avoca
These gentlemen were here on
business connected with Ihe
estate of the late Mr. Behrns, of
which Mr. Zimmerer has been
appointed special administrator
The deceased was half owner of
the general store at. Avoca owned
by Behrns iV Masenian, and Mr
Theile has purchased the le
ceased's interest therein, lo say
that we were glad to meet these
genllemen but half expresses
as Avoca pople have a warm place
. . i
in our heart, and we are aiwajs
ready to extend Ihe gjad hand to
anyone from that enterprising lit
tle city. They came over in Mr.
Zimmerer's car, and departed as
soon ns they had finished their
business here for Louisville,
where they expected to arrive in
time for lunch.
From Friday's Dally.
The graduating exercises of the
arge class of '12 was greeted by
a large audience when the curtain
went up at the Parmele last night
and disclosed the class sealed up
on the stage. The year " '12" was
emblazoned above the class in
electric lights of sullicient bril
liancy to light the auditorium.
Secretary Wescoll and the class
orator. Doctor Northrup, came
upon fhe stage as soon as the
curtain arose, followed by Super
intendent Abbott ami Rev. A. L.
.ink, who delivered the invoca
tion, llev. Zink was fallowed by
a piano duet by Misses Anna Hen-
rich and Mollye Godwin. The
salutatory address was delivered
bv Hue II. Frans, who discussed
in a happy manner the subject of
"National Progress." Without any
display of oratorical llourish, Mr.
Frans delved into his (heme, be
ginning al the organization of the
government, ami reviewed Ihej
growth of the nation to the
present. The Journal hopes to
produce the oration in full to
morrow, ns the address is a splen
did resume of the development ef
the nation.
A very pretty solo, "The Haunt
of the Witches," was sung by
Miss Barbara Clement, and was
enthusiastically applauded by the
audience.
The valedictory oration was
then delivered by John Elmer
Halls) nun from the subject of
Oregon ami Popular Govern
ment." Mr. Hallstrom has much;
native ability as an orator and re
viewed Ihe political history of
Oregon from years ago to the
present time, elaborating on the
period when the stale was con
trolled bv Ihe interests and com
ing on down through the period
when Ihe people threw olT the
yoke of the political machine ami
secured Ihe initiative ami referen
dum privilege. The address of
the valedictorian was well re
ceived and we expect to print it in
full Monday if Ihe manuscript can
be obtained.
The piano numbers by Miss
Dorothy Brill were played in an
artistic way, winning for Miss
Brill the approval of the audience
and a lovely bouquet of flowers.
Mr. Wescolt, secretary of the
school board, introduced the
orator of the evening in a few
well chosen words, referring to
Doctor Northrup's ripe scholar
ship and fine oratorical powers
and requested Ihe class to give
heed to Ihe wisdom which it was
about lo listen lo.
The Reverend Doctor then
arose, addressing the secretary,
Ihe class of '12, Ihe faculty, Ihe
school board and the audience as
preliminary to the oration, con
gratulating Ihe people of Plaits
mouth on Ihe beauty of the city
ami surroundings, and the com
munity on the fine array of young
men and women on the stage. The
large class of bright, intelligent
Posts and Wood for Sale.
A quantity of good bur oak
posts, and a large supply of good
block wood for sale. For further
particulars see Bower & Kino
men, one mile south and one and
one-half miles west of Cullom.
5-20-1 mo-wkly.
J. L. Smith of Nehawka is in
the city paying a visit to his
brother, W. P. Smith.
Corn Looks Well.
From Frldsy'a Dally.
L. G. Meisinger of near My
nard came to town yesterday to
do some trading ami to visit with
friends for a short lime. Mr.
.Meisinger has finished his corn
planting and the most of it has
come up fin!'. A small piece was
planted before Ihe last rain and
I he dirt formed a crust over the
young corn plants too hard for
them lo conic through.
George 1 lleil ami daughters,
Louise and Kalie, of Cedar Creek,
were visitors in this city yesler
day. While here Mr. Heil called
at this office and renewed his
subscriplion to this paper for an
other year and ordered a copy of
the Semi-Weekly Journal sent to
his son, H. E. Heil, at Weeping
Water.
students recalled the period many
years ago when the speaker him
self graduated from the High
school, back in Ohio. On that oc
casion there were three graduates,
the speaker and two young ladies,
and he was in doubt whether the
class before him would come up
to the class in which he gradu
ated. The subject of the oration,
"The Market Place," aroused the
interest of Ihe audience', which
was curious lo know just how it
could be made to 111 into Ihe com
mencement of life by Ihe thirly
three young people most interest
ed in the exercises of Ihe evening.
Dr. Northrup staled that Ihe
three market centers of the world
were Wall street, New York;
Liverpool, England, and the
Bourse, Paris. And in substance
said that society had long ago
outgrown its primal ive stage and
the era of corporations had come
Since there must he corporations,
there were of necessity stocks and
bonds representing the capital of
the corporations; these neces
sitated some place where the
slocks ami In mils could be sold.
lie then passed along in the thread
of his discourse, describing scenes
in Ihe pit, on Wall street and on
the Bourse, where men had their
properly for sale "on Ihe market"
ond were wildly gesticulating,
shouting and jumping about, all.
striving to fix a value on llm
slocks offered or purchased. The
speaker called Ihe attention of his
audience to Ihe fact that all
communities centered about the
market place. In every city there
was a place wnere values were
fixed, and that this was true In
every phase of life. In the bat
tle of life the individuals of so
ciety had I heir interests collected
about the market places, where
values were fixed. The Doctor
adjured the class lo think not
lightly of a "good name;" that
to lose this priceless thing meant
ruin. He insisted that there was
more to a man than the chemical
elements of Ihe body, ami that to
lose sight of the best part of man,
the spiritual being, was lo miss
the purpose of life. The address
was one of the best which has
ever been delivered to a class
graduating from the Plaltsmouth
school, and every thinking person
who was fortunate enough lo hear
the class oration was more than
repaid for the effort put forth lo
he present.
On Ihe conclusion of the ad
dress the class filed past Super
intendent Abbott and Principal
Larson and received their
diplomas. Mr. Abbott made a
splendid talk to the students in
presenting the certificates. The
honors of the class and a scholar
ship good in any of the colleges
of Nebraska was won by Everett
Alfred Ward, who, by his diligence
in study, acquired the necessary
markings entitling him to the
coveted prize. The following is
the list, of graduates:
Golda May Noble.
Florence C. Hummel.
Dorothy Livingston Iiritt.
Lester B. Dallon.
Major A. Arries.
John Elmer Hallstrom.
Dean B. Cummins.
Ralph H. Larson.
Opal M. Fitzgerald.
Rue II. Frans.
Guy II. Wiles.
Willa Nell Moore.
Mildred Stewart.
Anna Ilenrich.
Charles M. Gradoville.
Adi'lia B. While.
Buenita Porter.
Sophie C. Sieczkowski.
Mary Edna Shopp.
Sarah Mildred Cook.
Mildred Brown Johnson.
Alma C. Holly.
Kathryn M. Foster.
Mollye Levina Godwin.
Everett Alfred Ward.
Edwin Vance Todd.
Kathryn Isabelle Speck.
A. Wayne Propst.
J. Conrad Schlater.
Emma Elizabeth Campbell.
Frank V. Hiber.
Elmer W. Frans.
Barbara Ellen Clement.
Hurt In Runaway.
William Clineburg sustained
some severe bruises last Thurs
day by jumping from Ihe wagon
after his team became unmanage
able and ran away. The bit in
one of the animal's mouth was
broken, hence Mr. Clineburg lost
control. He has a sore arm and
lame leg from the effects of his
hasty exit from the vehicle. The
team was stopped near tho
Tecumseh mill, but, not until they
si raddled a telephone pole and
broke the harness. Tecumseh
Tribunal-Journal.