USA > Iowa > Scott County > Organization and proceedings of the Pioneer Settlers' Association of Scott County, Iowa, with a full report of the first festival > Part 5
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Such, sir, were our joys-we had our sorrows, too. For, ever and anon, a dark cloud of gloom gathered over the little settlement, as some loved one was taken from our midst by the hand of the de- stroyer.
A father, perhaps-well-beloved-strick- en down in the pride of his manhood ; or some tender mother is gone-leaving sad and desolate, a heretofore happy hearth .- Or, perchance, the prattling babe -- the light and sunshine of the cottage circle-unfolded its little wings, and soared, a white-robed cherub, to its starry home. Or the merry, light-hearted child-the joyous sharer of our youthful sports-left us, with aching heart and quivering lips, to mourn his early grave.
But this is too sad a theme-there is another-a brighter one - to which we gladly turn.
eye, whose first bright glance lit up the loneliness of the settler's cabin-many a coral lip whose first sweet smile gladdened a Pioneer mother's heart. And the witch- ery of these bright glauces has been around us ever. These sweet smiles like the eder- don of the boy and man- gave zest to our youthful pleasures, as to-night they throw
joys and all our sorrows. Here. cradled in | enchantment round this festive scene.
And where, Mr. President -- whether as now gracing the crowded assembly, or in the home circle. filling and aderning alike years, and the babe became the boy, by | tht various stations of daughter, sister, wife, the side of the Pioneer fathers, we have j or all combined-where, I ask, will you find a lovlier galaxy than these, the Pioneer daughters of Scott county. And, sir, all of this gentle sisterhood are not with us on this occasion.
The snow lies lightly over some well- remembered forms that sleep in yonder grave yard. Some, for a time, have left us. whom, we hope, ere long, to greet again. Others - we miss them all,- on distant shrines have placed their household gods. But we leel assured sir, that if these absent ones know of this, our social gathering, their hearts are with us in our joy ; for while
" Through other streams their fontsteps roam. Still Inther must their hearts expand, There is their loved-adopted home-
This, thuis, is still their native lund."
What wonder, then, Mr. President, that we love this soil, hallowed by such associa- tions ? What wonder, that in our eyes Scott county is the " fairest land the sun shines on !"?
We glory in this our birth-place. We glory in the noble stock from which we spring. May, they, sir, never have cause to binsh for us !
12. The City of Le Claire-Our young and prosperous Sister. Let Davenport look well to ler laurels.
Laure! Summers, Esq., was to have responded to this toast, but was obliged to send a letter of regret. Judge (irant made some humorous remarks in comparison of Davenport and Le Claire, bringing in some excellent puns.
13. Woman-The pride and ornament of the proudest palace-the joy and sunshine of the humblest cabin.
Iliram Price, Esq., responded as follows :
Mr. CHAIRMAN :- I am called upon to respond to that sentiment, that "Woman is the pride and ornament of the proudest palace, and the joy and sunshine of the humblest cablin."
Well, sir, nobody doubts that, do they ? There is but one side to that subject, and consequently no chance for an argument .- Woman ! I rather like the name, it seems like coming back to first principles, and while I am well satisfied that she is justly
The birth-right, sir, is not alone to us of the "sterner sex "_for I can look around me here to-night and see many a sparkling ' entitled to an abler advocate, and better
-
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PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
representative than myself, yet I am holl home circle is woman's true kingdom .- to assert that the declaration contained in that toast is literally and emphatically true.
You might have gone further sir, and added to the reading, the words-" and generally pretty hard to get ahead of," for certain I am that all present will agree with me, when I say that it is daily becoming a more difficult task to get around them.
" The pride and ornament of the proudest palace." Yes, sir, of this there can be no question, and yet what I may say on this point, must of necessity be more historical, than experimental knowledge. But sir, when you talk of hier as being the joy and sun- shine of the humble:t cabin, I can speak from experience-on the subject of cabins I am at home. I've been there-as boy and man I have builded them, and lived in them, and to-night my memory runs back to the day of my boyhood, and calls up before my mental vision the image of my mother, as she appeared to me in those days, at once the joy and the sun- shine of my cabin home.
Whether viewed from this stand point, or from one a little farther down the stream of time, where with her who for nearly a quarter of a century has shared the lights and shades of life with me, and who accom- panies me to this l'estive hall to-night, 1 commenced the battle of life in the world, in either case, and from every point of ob- servation, I am furnished with evidence to conclusively establish the fact, that woman is the joy and sunshine of the cabin.
The homes of America! Yea, the homes of the world, all proclaim with united voice that woman is not only the pride of the palace, but that she is emphatically the joy and sunshine of the cabin.
In this world, palaces are for the few, cabins for the million. Among the domicils of earth, cabins are the rule, palaces the exception. But whether in the palace or in the cabin, it is in the home circle that woman finds her proper sphere, her truc : clement. It is from that centre that her
influences radiate, revealing fountains of extent and importance of their influence,
joy, reservoirs of sunshine, wherever her voice is heard in the territory of christian organization, and much, very much of what the world possesses of happiness is attribu- į table to that influence.
Withont her man would be a savage, a hairy faced unshaven savage, for without her smooth and smiling face constantly before him, he would not have been sufficiently civilized to shave.
"Iwas for these, among other reasons, that the declaration went forth from above, that it was not good for man to be alone .- And Mr. Chairman, it is but a few months since one of the christian powers of Europe was compelled to send out a ship load of women to one of their Island Colonies, to prevent their colonists from relapsing into barbarism. That, sir, was emphatically a ship load of joy and sunshine for the cabins of that Colony.
It is true, sir, that without this influence,
" Man may plimb the slippery storp, Where weaith and honor lofty shine-
A lur of gold may tempt the dorp. Or downward seek the Indian impe."
but in all that enobles, all that elevates, all that raises from earth and points Ileaven- ward, in all that feeds and fills his higher nature, he will be deficient. And even now, sir, I hear from afar the lamentation of one of earth's most favored and gifted sons, as from the exalted position to which he had climbed in search of happiness and lame, he exclaims-
" Tmiss thee, my mother, in the long Winter night-, I remember the tale, thou wouldst tell- The romance of wild fancy, the legend of light -- Ah I who could e'er tell them so well : Thy corner's now vacant, thy chan is removed- It was kind to take that from mine eye :
But the rehes are round me, the loved and the prized Tu en ll up the pure and sorrowful sight."
This, sir, speaks an influence deep and high. An influence upon which more than any one human agency depends the destiny of our country. It speaks in language not to be mistaken, giving tone and shape and color to Pulpit, the Press and the Forum. It is the power behind the throne, greater than the throne itself.
And now to the women present-the women of Scott county. In view of the may I not be allowed to say, in the language of one of the gifted of their own sex-
" I'p woman to thy duty ! Now's The day, and now's the hour To use thy boasted influence- To prove thy magie power ! Unless thy tongne-the word of truth That would a household save.
True, there have been occasional instances where woman has stepped out of this sphere and for a time, has, with meteorie flashes, If spoken well, perchance may snatch A thousand from the grave ! On in thy work with strong frec heart, Thy mission's from above ! You cannot fail if you are true. For all the work is love ! And " God is Love :" and woman's -pheir if love and hope was given To draw the wanderer from his sin-, And point him up to Hicayen !" fixed the gaze and attracted the attention of an astonished world. Such, for instance, as the Maid of Saragossa, Joan of Arc, and last though not least, Florence Nightingale, the latter was, and is, at once the pride of all palaces, and the joy and sunshine of all cabins; but these are exceptions to the To the " Pioneer Settlers," perit me, rule, and only prove the rule to be that the , in closing to say, that the sincere desire of
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OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY,
my heart is that you may never lac's prile All honor to his efforts, which resulted festivals afford yearly gratitude to bis originate them. for your palaces or jus and sunshine for so happily. and may scores of returning your cabin -; and miss you live to enjoy many such happy reantoas as tuis in future . name, as well as others who labored to time, and when all -; all be nambered with the " Pioneer Deal" mar von all have a brighter and a baggies renon in the land BY COL. T. C. EADS. of the " Great Ilereafter."
The following volunteer toasts were then offered.
VOLUNTEER TOETS.
SENT BY LAURAL SUMMERS
Scott County-Unsn passed in beauty and fer- tility of soil-may her " Old Settlers " long live to enjoy their animal festivals.
Judge Grant introduced with very appro- priate remarks, and a enlozy upon his subject-"The memory of CM. Dicenbort,"- which was drank standing and in silence.
Willard Borrow-, E-q., was next called upon. anl made a few impromotn but heartfelt and pertinent remarks. The pre -- - ent gathering was, he said. the fruit of long cherished hone on bis tert, and there never before bal been a moment in his life in which such emotions had possessed him as at present. It was a blending of the hardships of the past, with the serene quiet- ness and social sympathie, of the present .- They were thirsty solbier- who had met brightenel joys, and softened sorrows and by cool water the hot labor of a weary campaign of years. They were the victors, scarred and tuilworn, but secure for the future, and, save a saddened memory, a- here and there an old familiar face was wanting. and thought traced is upturned lineaments upon somme distant battle field, there was no cause save for rejoicing.
Mr. Barrows spoke in a similar strain for a few mom " " . and closed his remarks by saying that Le file to-night like one of ofil who loved her friends and who-e memorable words of affection sbali live for ever : " En- treat me not to have they or forsake thee- for whither thou goest. I will go : thy peo- ple shall be my people, and the God, my God-where then dieet I will die, and there will I be buried !"-ind when I shall have ! gone to that "bourne from whence no trav- eler returns," the greatest boon I canask is, that my grave may be surrounded by the . "Pioncer Settlers' Association of Scott county !" llis modest lear of saying too much, unfortunately, overenie the wishes of his auditors to listen to him longer. It is, perhaps, owing to him more than any other, that the idea of an " Old Settlers " reunion became a practical fiet- shaped to the fair and goodly proportions which it possessed.
The Old Sutlers of Scott County-Drawn to- gether by the indissolubie ties of a cum- mon fate-a relationship stronger than that of blood ; no power save He who governs the world shall sever the brotherhood till the last of the noble band shall sink into an honored grave and leave posterity to say, He was a man.
BY W. ALLEN :
The Pioneer Settlers of Scott County-May the noble spirit which prompted them to at- tempt the civilization of this magnificent wilderness, so mould and energize the souls of their descendants, that the Creator's grand design in the settlement of this heau- tiful land may be speedily accomplished, and its results be manitested by the count- less spires that shall direct to heaven, from every town and village, the thonghis of a free and happy people.
BY A LADY :
Dr. J. J. Burtis-The gentlemanly and agree- able proprieter of this palatial Hotel, may he be completely successful in his benevo- lent plan for public entertainment, and his brightest anticipations be more than re- alized.
BY C. C. ALVORD :
The Sons and Daughters of the Old Settlers- May they imitate us in perseverance, fru- gality and industry, and their seed shall not gu begging bread.
The Matrons of this Association-Our help, comfort and consolation in every time of need. and the fruits of their labor now fol- Jow them.
BY JAS. THORINGTON :
Or HIost. Dr. Burtis-May he prepare the annual feast for the " Old Settlers' Associa- tion," or be present as an invited guest, to the last one, attended by the last member, and may he give equal satisfaction at them all as he has to-night.
By request the Hon. John P. Cook, sang the following song :-
Oft, in the , tilly nicht, Ere slumber'- chain hath bound me. Fond memory brings the light Of other days around me ; The smiles, the te ara, Of boyhood's 16 375, The words of love then spoken- The eyes that shon 's Now diumed and gone ". The cheerful hearts n. ow broken :
CHORUS .- Thus, in the silk'ly night. Ere slumber's chain bath bound me, Fond memory brings the ligt t Of other days around me.
PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
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When I remember all The friends, so linked together. I've seen around que fall Like leaves in wintry weather ; I feel like one Who treads alone Some banquet hall deserted, Whose lights are lied, Whose garlands dead- And all but he departed !
CHORUS .- Thus, in the stilly night Ere slmmlæer's chain bas bound w", Sad memory brings the light Of other days around me.
----
Ou motion Resolved, That the Executive Committee be
directed to cause to be published in pamphle form, an abstract of the proceedings of this Association, including the constitution and by-laws, the addresses upon the presentation of the cane, the annual address, the regular toasts and such other matters in connection therewith as they may think proper. That they procure five hundred copies and distrin- ute one copy to each member, and that the re- mainder be held by the Secretary, subject to the further order of the Association.
On motion, the Association adjourned.
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PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
APPENDIX.
The following responses were handed in too late for classification :
8. Antoine Le Claire-First in settlement- first in efforts to make our city peerless among rivals-first in the esteem of his fel- low citizens -- first President of this society ; may "his shadow never be less."
Responded to by E. Cook, Esq., as follows :
It gives me unfeigned pleasure sir, to respond to the sentiments contained in the toast just read by you, and I only regret that the duty had not been assigned to abler hands ; more willing, there is none.
Antoine Le Claire ! First in settle- ment. Nearly twenty-three years since, while looking up a home for myself and family in the West, chance brought me down your noble river, and I was landed within a few rods of where we now are, and there I found a comfortable log honse, the only dwelling near on this side the river. I made my way to the door, it was opened, and there I found Mr. Le Claire and his worthy wife .- How long he had been there prior to that I cannot say, but sure it is that even then he was alone in his glory. I shall never forget, so long as life remains, the hearty welcome I received: the kind and generous manner in which I was taken care of, during the time I remained with them, while preparing a home for myself. For all his goodness and kindness to me and my family, when we were strangers in a strange land, I owe him my heart- felt thanks, and I am proud of the oppor- tunity to be permitted to express them in this public manner.
And I am alone in this ? No, for in looking around me here to-night, I see numbers of the early settlers of this county whom he received and treated in the same manner, whose hearts silently respond to the same sentiment, and who only want an opportunity to give vent to their feelings in audible language.
And is it true that Antoine Le Claire is "first in efforts to make our city peer- less among rivals ?" Let the old settlers of this connty answer.
Let those who resided here at an early day, and have watched years and years ago, his efforts from day to day and year, reply to question.
Why sir, you know that it was a com- mon remark among us long since, that Le Claire would ruin himself in trying to build up a town here, and you sir, know too, that his large expenditures with that view, so seriously embarrassed him in his pecuniary matters, that his friends felt great anxiety and alarm as to the result. But the tide turned, the scene changed, the dark days passed away, and Le Claire's bread fell "butter side up." And when brighter days appeared did he then relax his efforts ? Did he then supinely sit down and hoard his wealth like the miser ? Did he then cease to aid in every proper and legitimate way those who were seeking to build up the town and its business ?
Let his subscriptions to every public work, intended to advance our interest in the country answer ! Let hundreds of those who have been aided and cheer- ed by him in their business. reply.
Antoine Le Claire, " first in the es- teem of his fellow citizens."
For the truth and propriety of this sentiment, I appeal to the hearts and feelings of the old settlers of this county -who among us is more worthy? Who is there among us to whom the sentiment can be so well applied ?
Whom is there among us whom we more delight to honor ?
I venture to say that from the moment of the first inception of the idea of this Association, up to the time of the elec- tion, no individual thought of any other name than that of Le Claire for our first President.
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PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
And why is this so ? Because it was : sold, affections, press and all, for we so eminently fitting and proper. that he loved the spot, and thought we could who was first in settlement - first in efforts to make our city peerless among rivals-first in the esteem of his fellow citizens, should be the recipient of the honor, and I trust that so long as he shall live, he will continue to be the President of this Association. read upon the broad, unfolded pages of her virgin hills and adjacent fertile prai- ries, something highly auspicious of a blooming future. But soon the bloodless battle was fought and the victory ours ; and the flames of excitement sublimed away into viewless air-promises and integrity too, and we were sold,-liter- ally sold -- for an empty promise was our reward !
I trust and pray sir, that for many, many years, those of us who may be permitted to gather together at the An- nual Festivals, may see him in the place he now occupies; that Time may lay his hands gently upon him, that his lod age may be peaceful and happy, and that when he shall be " gathered to his fathers," his memory may remain green and fresh among the surviving members of this Association.
10. The Pioneer Press of Scott County. Mr. Andrew Logan. responded follows :-
Mr. CHAIRMAN :- It is with unmingled pleasure that I respond to the above toast, as it awakens in our mind a mighty tide of thought teeming with vivid reminiscenees of bye-gone years. Upon the pinionless wings of thought we are borne back to the lovely morn. of the the 7th of July, 1838, when first we set foot upon the western shores of the Father of the Waters, where now stands the matchless city of Davenport .- peer- less in beauty and solid worth, above all rivals, and the fair metropolis of our flourishing State. And again, we go back to the 18th day of Septmber, 1838, nearly twenty years ago, when as stand- ard bearer of local and foreign intelli- gence, we unfarled and placed fresh
The Pioneer Association .- The largest and most ancient family in Scott County. May no family jars ever enter their circle.
Mr. R. Christie, responded as follows:
MR. PRESIDENT :-- This Association present an anomaly in the history of Scott county, For, sir, no one here to-night will say that he has ever attend- ed a meeting in this county composed of as · so large a number as the one assembled here, where so many familiar faces were to be seen. Should a stranger be ushered into this presence and commence interro- gating you, sir, as to the name of this stripling or of that grey-haired man, you could at once not only give him their names, but you could give him the history of their lives for the last seven- teen years, and not only the history of one or two, but you could gratify the gen- tleman still further. You could give him the history of the whole house, of every one here old or young. In the same way, sir, every member here could give the history of every other member of this As- ssociation for nearly twenty years. Sir, I need not say that these histories would tell of brave hearts and strong arms, of dangers and difficulties encountered and overcome :
before our few readers the first numberof, by the indomitable perseverance of the the Davenport, Iowa, Sun. Ave, here ; Pioneers who chose this fair portion of too, comes up the recollection of the | God's heritage for their future homes, de- many difficulties under which we labored in assuming the responsible charge of editing and publishing a newspaper, with ! But sir, these histories are unwritten. no assistance save that of our two little sons, the eldest of whom was but twelve years old.
| termined here to bide their time, or to lay their bones mayhap upon the prairie .- May it not be the province of this As- sociation to gather up and place upon the record facts connected with the early settlement of this county that may be society of the State of lowa. Sir, with-
At that day our county was rife with contentions for the settlement of the sought after by the future historical county seat question. Davenport and Rockingham were the chief competitors out any stretch of the imagination, we for the crown. Prominent citizens of can now behold future Banerofts, and both places daily sought to negotiate | Longfellow's diligently searching the with us for the aid of our press in their | archives of this Association for materials behalf. To Davenport we were finally for history and poetry.
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PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
6. The City of Darenport-The Pet and the ' persisted in sayingthat our huile rural vil- Pride of glorious " old Scott ;" crown jewel lage would surely be a eity in 20 years, of the Upper Mississippi ; the rose of Sha- ron and the lily of the valley.
Responded to by Mr. Thorington, as follows :-
I see around me to-night familiar faces. When I arose before you, my mind was involuntarily carried back to former times; when we met frequently and knew no strangers in "old Scott," now nearly twenty years ago. Around me, there are many of the same familiar faces, and the same hearty shake of the hand that met me at the threshold of this mansion, and the warm heart that beat response to friendship's strongest ties then, are here to-night. It seems as a cycle of events were again to be passed through, at your homesteads and on our broad and beautiful prairies. when I sought your suffrage for office, ; and making had to devolve of adjusting and obtained your confidence, was again to be gone through with ; and to-night there is a pleasure in looking around me upon smiling faces and frank countenan- ces ; that I won your confidence, and that time nor age has given neither the one or the other cause for regret, the relative position that existed so long between Scott county and James Thor- ington. My time has been taxed and my business delayed at Washington City, that I might be present among you to- night ; I have no regrets upon the sub- ject, nor do I think the one uprofitably spent, nor the injury to the other irre- parrable. A reunion like this is rarely to be met with, and I, for one, have not the nerve to forego it. It is one of those occasions that occur in the journey of life, that freshens and re-invigorates the man, as oasis in a sterile and barren waste, to the way-worn and tired trav- eller.
The sentiment I am called upon to respond to, is a pleasant one. It brings up many recollections, and I am some- what pleased that it has devolved upon me to respond to so acceptable a senti- ment.
The City of Davenport.
-
you certainly would have laughed at the iden, if some of you had not have our with it "that Jim's a fool." to be talking about this town's becoming a eby. Mr. President, pardon me for relating a cir- cumstance that oceured about that tine ; many present may probably recollect the circumstance. Do you remember Mr. President, when you procured about as fashionable a piece of cloth as could then be obtained, in all these regions about, (a large Mackinaw blanket, ) how particular you were in studying the latest style, how you consulted first this one, and the other one, as to the length of the tail. The village tailor had the monopoly on you ; there was but one in the diggins, and, of course, it was to his emporium the job of clothing, fitting
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