USA > Illinois > The centennial of the state of Illinois. Report of the Centennial Commission > Part 32
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the fields of the Lady of the Snows to the tropic sas, is now mobil- izing the very elements of its soil and commandeering the nitrogen in its atmosphere to fight for the freedom of the world.
I must not stop to try to tell you what those mysteries are that lie in every field. They are, of course, in other lands but with this difference, that every boy and girl is free to follow these mysteries into the presence of the infinite. That is the heritage of their fredom. Neither poverty nor the social obscurity of parents, nor the predestinations of autocracy bar the way for them.
And here should every child who comes upon this land be in- structed not only in the geography of its visible beauty, but in the geography of its marvelous bounty, and be made to know what the freedom of his life in America opens to him in the miracles of the fields, the shop and the studio.
I have seen these miracles with my own eyes in many states, as doubtless you have. Out in the prairies here in Illinois I have seen flowers fe-hioned in all the comple ted beauty of the domestic orchid, until that same soil was made ly grow the tasselled corn; in Maryland I can still hear the vendor- as they cry their Ann Arundel vegetables beneath the windows: in New Hampshire I saw a sign as if it were written for the whole state, "We make everything that has grit in it ;" in Georgii I have seen the little cotton boll in its productivity (and they make more cotton-seed oil (so-called olive oil) in the southern states than all the olive trees in the world produce-I have seen the little cotton boll be- come a razor back hog, a sheep, a silk worm, and a dirigible bal- loon, all wrapped up in the most beautiful package that the 11- mighty ever tiel to the twig of a buch; in California where the beneficent gods and the giant- of the freet- that creep down from the snow-peaked mountains are over at battle; in New York. vlere, with the assistan . cf publier. bot-hee- . and refrigerator. iso- therms are banished, all the zones simulated, all soils synthesized, and even the forces of Heaven converted into a short of panurgic fertility and power.
There is more poetry in such a physical geography than in many anihol gies; mon art than is to be found in many moreums
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But a pout is needed to teach this geography of America's bounty as well as that of our beauty.
Then there should be chapters that tell of her mission ; chap- ters of which we have two or three here tonight. I must not stop to speak of these. Places where our great men have lived-her holy places. I attended not long ago a dinner at which a great scientist from Servia (and we owe Servia a great debt for what that man has given to us), told a conversation which he had with an old man of his country who had once visited the Holy Land. This old man had told the scientist of the weariness of the way and the agony of joy with which he at last looked down upon the Holy Land. And the scientist said, "] understand what your feeling iz. for 1. too, have been in a holy place." "Where?" said the old man? He said, "In America." "Well," said the old man, "there are no holy places in America." And then this scientist told him of a place where was born a man who had discovered some of the great universal law- of God and had made their application. It was a holy place, as this is a holy phiee. And wherever life in its highest heroisms has hallowol a spot, it should become a place in the real America, the conscious possession of the entire people.
But America has more than this beautiful land, more than its miracled products, more than its greatest individual souls. more than all of them together. Above these as an indescribable perfume thera arises on abstraction America. for America is a political idea, a mor il poirpoin. a prayer for a better world uttered in the face of the inexorable forces of nature that only seem hostile because we do not understand them, utterel in the presence of the stars that smrtned to fight with Deboral and Barak of old, and that literally do fight with America today.
How varied the coffeeprion of America is, a few illustrative definitions will suggest. A nation "that can only achieve its aims in carrying a message to mankind of what has been found possible on this continent :" "a spirit that hopes grandly for the race;" "a striving for bbw riy, justice and truth :" "a land of unlimited opportunity," or, as Emerson defined it simply "apportunity." whose entrance doors open to all comers but whose inner doors are
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also kept open so that a man may pass from room to room so long as he has strength to open the doors;" the "free common- wealth that comes nearest to the illustration of the national equality of all men;" "God's crucible ;" "a place to keep alive faith in humanity ;" "the only nation in the world that has been built consciously and freely on pure ideale and pure thoughts;" the "concrete expression of that dream of freedom to work that slumb- ers in every man's soul :" a "country with a part to play in the redemption of humanity and the better organization of the world;" a country in which the "ideal pa-sions of patriotism, of liberty, of loyalty to home and nation, of humanitarianism and missionary effort have all burned with a clear flame;" the "spirit of a great people in the search for more abundant life."
And between these extremes of view, lies dimly and perhaps not clearly defined the "America" that lives in the millions who live in the land that we call America.
The definition of America has not been changed, but suddenly the nation has found a necessity for employing a new language in preserving this definition.
The consciousness which has been written in sentences that some have moeked as mere platitudes, empty husks, has asserted itself under a barbaric a -- ault upon this price-prone and seepi- ingly harmless body of words, in a language which devils can understand but angels mu -; ver vloet hell opens its doors.
America seems ontwaidly a new national being, Imt she is only proving her cosmic words, she is rising to planetary and to cosinic deeds. And Jinois whos admission into this America we celebrate tonight, lying in the heart of what some years ago 1 called, when speaking in Fries "de valley of the new democ- racy," is the very middle of the new middle land of the earth-the State which embraces the Sangamon River and which has given the highest expression of that democracy for which we are trying to make the whole world a safe plice.
Some years ago, a young man born on these prairies was lying near imagined death in a New York hospital. He asked the nurse what month it was, and she said it was May. He said, "I cannot die now." Then he brard the meadow lark singing out over the
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prairie field- filled with flowers, and he heard the frogs croaking in what we need to call the sloughs, and then he heard the crane honking over head, and he said, "I cannot die now, it is plowing time." And then in the struggle between the desire to justify the naine his mother had given him in his contest with men ont in the world, and with the desire to go back again to his land, the fields that he loved, he prayed that he might be taken back and laid beneath the tree that was in the middle of the field! he had plowed; that he might lie thete throughout the winter and then in the spring climb with the sap up into the brauches of the tree and look out over those fields with their jufinite distance that I have been weing today-and the field in which that tree stood was the field from which I heard the bees one day, and the tree was a cotton-woud tree. I suppose it is gone long since. But for me that tree still stands in the middle of the earth, in the state which with all the enlarging new world horizons is still the middle of the new earth, for the ofil heavens and the old earth have passed away and there is no more sea separating the ends of the carth. And as America enters upon this new era of her life, and Illinois enters upon the second century of her's-God bless them botlı.
Documents
REPORT OF DIRECTOR HUGH S. MAGILL, JR., TO THE ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL COMMISSION, DECEMBER 31, 1918
I have been asked to confine my report chiefly to the state- wide celebration. The theme is so large that it will be impossible for me, in the limited space at my disposal. to give more than a mere epitome of what was undertaken and what has been accom- plished. When we consider that more than a thousand celebra- tions were held, at least a third of which are deserving of special note. not to mention the mnusivo study of Illinois history that was carried on in all the schools of the State, both publie and private, and in hundreds of clubs and societies, we realize that a complete. comprehensive story of the Cent nuial observances held throughout the State would FH volumes. I am obliged, therefore, to confine my report to an account of the plans and preparations that were made, and the prin ipal features of the celebrations held, omitting the details of the different events.
Senator Kont E. Keller, a member of the first Commission, was chairman of the first Committee on State-wide Celebration. He did much to acquaist the people of the State with the fact that the Centennial year was approaching, and that it should be fit- tingly observed. In this he was ably assisted by Mr. S. Leigh Call. who had charge of the newspaper publicity for the Commission at that time. When the Sppreme Court docid. I in the Fergus suit-, that a legislative committer could not perform functions such as had been delegated to the Centennial Commission by a joint reen- lution of the General Assembly, the Commission, of which Mr. Keller was a member, was dissolved.
In January, 1916, at the special session of the Forty-ninth General Ass mbly, an act was passed creating a Centennial Com- mission of fifteen members, to be appointed by the Governor. Among those appoint. I on this Commission, was Rev. Royal W.
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Ennis, who was made chairman of the Committee on State-wide Celebration, and has remained at the head of this important com- mittee to the present time. Mr. Ennis devoted a large amount of time and thought to the work of the Commission, particularly be- fore the office of director was created, and with splendid results. Hle deserves special credit for what was accomplishe.l.
When the ( onimission took up the work of organicing the counties of the State to provide for county celebrations, it was decided to appoint an ex officio committee in each county, consist- ing of the County Judge, County Superintendent of Schools, County Clerk, State's Attorney, and Chairman of the County Board. These ex officio committees were urged to forin a perma- nent Centennial organization in each county, either by assuming the duties themselves, or by calling a mass meeting to form a county organization. Each county was urged to prepare for a County Centennial Celebration. It was suggested that such cele- bration be held in connection with the county fair, Old Soldiers' or Old Settlers' annual reunion, or on some special date any time during the Centennial year, which might he most convenient. Many of these committees took action toward the carrying out the plans suggested by the Centennial Commission.
Governor Lowden recommended that the Commission appoint a director, who should devote his entire time to promoting the Centennial celebrations throughout the State. In July, 1911, the Commission selected the present Director, who began his duties as such on August first. Since then he has devoted his entire time to the work of the Commission, having resigned hi- position as superintendent of the Springfield City Schools, to take up this work.
The Commission provided an office for the Director in the State House, with the necessary assistants. Plans were at once made for arousing interest throughout the State in the coming celebration. A mailing list wa- started. which has been developed since until it now numbers about fifteen thousand. Thousands of letters were sent out to public officials, superintendents and principals of schools, and to officers of organizations, churches, clubs and societies, urging an intensive study of Illinois history,
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particularly in the - hood. It was urged that preparations should be made for a genial servance of the Centennial during the year, 1918.
Since assuming his duties on August 1, 1917, the Director has delivered more than two hundred addresses throughout Illinois, including nearly every county of the State. These have been given before chautauquas, teachers' institutes, conventions, clubs and societies. In all the- . addresses it was urged that the winning of the war should receive first consideration, but that a proper ob- servance of the Centennial would greatly assist the State in doing its part. In an address before the lilinois State Bankers' Asso- ciation, on September 19, 1917, the I''restor stated :
"The celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the admis- sion of Illinois into the Union must not in any way divert our ininds from the great undertaking in which all America is en- gaged. A study of the wonderful history of our State, and a better appreciation of the great sierifer and service rendered by those who have made glorious the history of Illinois, should give us inspiration and courage, and help us the better to perform our full duty. The Centennia! celebration will be no mere play festival, but should call forth an expression of the finest patriotic sentiment of our people. There should be atou-ed in the mind of every citizen of Illinois a solemn prich in what our State has accomplished. and a strong resolution to measure up to the high standards which our fathers have set for us."
In the first Centennial Bulletin paolishel in October, 1917, a general outline was given for state -will. cel brations. We quote the following :
"The Commission offers the following suggestions for a state- wide celebration :
"The Study of Mindis History .- Particular attention should be given to the lives of those whose service and sacrifice have con- tributed so largely to the blessings enjoyed by us today. This study should be emphasiad in the schools, and also in the pro- grams of civic and patriotic organizations throughout the State. There is a wealth of interesting and important local history in every county which should be investigated and studied.
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"Historical Pageante .- It is possible for every county to pro- duce an historical pageant and in this most entertaining and im- pressive manner portray the particular features of Illinois history. Important local characters and events should receive attention. The Centennial Commission will furnish assistance in the writing of these pageants and will also furnish competent advice with respect te their productico.
"County Fairs and Expositions .- The particular feature of these should be a commeaison of the latest productions with the earlier productions of a like kind, showing the actual progress made. The development in farm machinery from the primitive implements to the most modern would make a most interesting ex- hibit in a rural community. The progress made in transportation, manufacture, and the various lines of science and invention offer suggestions for an exhibition of the progress of a hundred years. The Illinois Centennial affords a splendid incentive for such ex- positions.
"Chautauquas, Conventions, Reunions and Homecomings .- During the Centennial year the different organizations and societies of the State should hold Centennial meetings. Each of these org mizations might well take an inventory of its progress, and consider its relation to the development and welfare of Illinois. Civic and patriotie societies may hold special meetings. Reunions of old soldiers and old settlers, with reminiscences of the past, should be features of county celebrations. This generation should be impressed with its debt of obligation to those who have made possible the privileges which we enjoy.
"Memorials and Historical Markings .- The character of a people may be judged by its appreciation of the great personalities and important events that have moulded its history. The Cen- tennial furnishes an incentive for the erection of permanent memorials, and the marking of historic places. In each com- munity something permanent should be left as a Centennial memorial."
At about this time Mr. Horace Il. Bancroft, of Jacksonville. was elected by the Commission as assistant director. Mr. Bancroft undertook the particular work of forming county Centennial or-
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ganization -. He was very successful, and his work wes of the highest character Through his personal efforts, active Centennial organizations were formed in more than half the counties of the State, and preliminary preparadons were made for appropriate observances during the Contental year.
On December 3. 1912. a meeting of delegates from local Centennial associations and other norested persons was held in the Senate Chamber, at which, in addition to the formal program, short addresses were delivered by the Director and the Assistant Director, the Manager of Pallicity, and by Mr. Wallace Rice, pageant writer, all having to do with the state-wide celebrations. Representatives from different parts of the State took part in these discussions, and an intense interest was shown in the plans for the Centemial year which opened on that day.
A particular feature of the state-wide celebration which is deserving of special note, was the part taken by State organizations. From the very beginning the Grand Army of the Republic and the Woman's Relief Corps, the Daughters of the American Revo- lution, and other patriotic organizations, manifested a lively in- terest in the coming celebration. On June 6, 1911, at the annual encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, the following resolution was adopted :
"We, your committee. recommend that each county shall hold a Centernial celebration, that a committee composed of Grand Aniny men be appointed to arrange for the military side of the meeting, and that they may use all the auxiliary organizations of the Grand Army as aids to consummate their work, and that each county committee see that a proper prarmir is rendered to fitly represent the military work of the great State of Illinois."
The Woman's Relief Corps adopted a resolution, which is, in part, as follows :
"This is an opportunity which the Woman's Relief Corps aux- iliary to the Grand Army of the Republic should embrace, to per- petmate the part taken by our organizations and our makers of history. During the years 1 60-1865, Illinois was not only a leader in the history making of the Middle West, but of the nation as well.
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"It is desired that every corps shall hold a Centennial cele- bration; that they shall invite the Grand Army of the Republic to unite with them in this observance.
"We believe that the military history of the State should be particularly dwelt upon and that all celebrations should he of a patriotic nature.
"It is also desirable that the Woman's Relief Corps should make a permanent record of their observance, through the dedica- tion of a monument, boulder, building, fountain or a highway, and these should be marked with a small bronze tablet setting forth the fact that it has been placed there by the Woman's Relief Corps. In counties not having soldiers' monuments, a monument or marker to the Union Soldiers would be appropriate, or a marker to the Loyal Women of the North, would also be fitting."
Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber, secretary of the commission, and active in D. A. R. work, addressed a letter to Mrs. Frank W. Bahnsen, of Rock Island, then state regent, in which the follow- ing suggestion was made:
"It has been suggested that it would be a good plan for the D. A. R. to contribute a bronze tablet with proper inscription as a part of its work for the State Centennial to each county which erects a permanent memorial. For instance, if a monument or building or a fountain should he erected by the county, on this memorial should be placed a bronze tablet, the gift of the D. A. R. This matter has several times been brought to the attention of the Centennial Commission and I have been requested to write to you on this subject.
"I do rot want the D. A. R. to forget their obligation to the Linenln Circuit Marking Association, and I know the great num- ber of calls on every one at this time, but I feel that this would be a prominent part in the marking of the Centennial and it would not mean a very large cost."
The Daughters of the American Revolution deserve particular credit for securing the creation of a great many memorials and markers throughout the State. This organization was active throughout the Centennial year in promoting this work, which was one of the most valuable features of the celebration.
. The Woman's Relief Corps of the State of Illinois placed a Bronze Tablet in Memorial Hall, Capitol Building, February 22, 1918.
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Among other State organizations which were very active in promoting appropriate Centennial ob. ervances, might be men- tioned : the State Federation of Women's Clubs, the State Bankers' Association, the State Bar Association, the State Medical Society, the State Farmers' Institute, the State Sunday School Association, the Hardware Dealers Association, the Retail Clothiers' Associa- tion, the Shoe Dealers Association, the State Music Teachers' Asso- ciation, the Illinois Pre- > Association, and a score of others. The Chambers of Commerce and Commercial Associations in the various cities of the State lent their influence very heartily to the promo- tion of appropriate celebrations in their several communities.
The colleges of Illinois early recognized the importance of the Centennial year. The Federation of Illinois Colleges, at a meeting held in Decatur in October, 1917, adoptool the following report, submitted by the Committee on Centennial Celebrations :
"1. Thai each college should secure and display the Cen- tennial banner of the State throughout the year.
"2. That a credit course be offered in Illinois history to the colleges.
"3. That a course of addresses by professors or others be given throughout the year on various important phases of Illinois history.
"4. That the colleges cooperate in every way possible with Centennial committees, both local and Stote.
"5. That assurance of the willinger's of the colleges and the Federation to cooperate be given.
"6. That a College Ili torical Society be established for furthering the work in Illinois history.
"7. That pageants representing important phases in Illinois history be given.
"8. That special days in the year be given prominence -- April 18. October 6 and December 3."
The schools of Illinois, both publie and parochial, placed particular emphasis on the study of Illinois history. The Cen- tennial furnished an incentive for this work, and the more than one million school children of Illinois were brought to understand and appreciate the wonderful story of their State to a much greater
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extent than could possibly have been accomplished without this special incentive.
The "Six Little Centennial Plays" prepared by Mr. Wallace Rice, pageant writer for the commission, were used in hundreds of the schools of the State, both public and private. High schools and academies of the Stato used some one of the several Centennial pagoants prepared by the Commission, "The Pageant of the Jili- nois Country" and "The Masque of Illinois," by Mr. Rice, and "The Wonderful Story of llinois," by Miss Grace Owen . Many others produced pageants of their own preparation, many of which were compiled in part from the Centennial pageants furnished by the Commission.
Complete plans for a state-wide celebration were set forth by the Director in the Centennial Bulletin issued by the Commis- sion in February, 1918. We quote the following:
"Every intelligent. patriotic citizen of Illinois recognizes that the one all-important, all-absorbing subject before us at this time is the winning of this war. To fail means to give up every ideal of liberty and democracy upon which our nation was founded and which our people have cherished throughout our nation's life. To win means to e-tablish these principles forever, and extend their blessings to all the people of every nation throughout the world. So momentous are the issues thet to win this canse America has dedicated all her treasure, all hier efforts, and the lives of her bravest and hesi.
"What effect will the observance of the Illinois Centennial have upon the people of Illinois in relation to the winning of this war? If it hinders in the slightest degree, all plans and prepar- ations should be given up at once. If the celebration is justified it must contribute to our altimato success and triumph. After a very serious consideration of this question, it is the unanimous opinion of these rpon whom has been placed by statute the re- sponsibility of holding the celebration that a patriotic observance of our State Catanial will assist in bringing to our people a fuller appreciation of the issues of the war and give us inspiration and courage to wet heroically and generously the heavy demands which are lied upon us. Our War Governor, whose powerful sup-
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