USA > Ohio > Butler County > Hamilton in Butler County > The centennial anniversary of the city of Hamilton, Ohio, September 17-19, 1891 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21
The fatherhood of God and brotherhood of men is a principle forcing recognition[in all lands.
One hundred years ago the right of property in man was claimed by the most highly civilized and christian nations. One hundred years ago the slave trade was regarded as legitimate commerce. Even our christian Mother England was engaged in capturing negroes from the African coast stowing them away in vessels constructed for the purpose and disposing of
HARDWARE
CITY VIEW FROM COURT HOUSE TOWER.
II3
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
them as human chattels wherever a market could be found. England's sovereigns participated in the profits of the traffic; now the slave trade is piracy by the law of Nations.
By the richest baptism of blood ever poured upon freedom's altar, slavery that greatest impediment in the way of the triumph of christian civilization has been washed out in the land of boasted freedom. England has stricken the shackles from millions of slaves in her colonial possessions. Spain no longer recognizes the right to barter in human flesh. Russia has abolished surfdom.
These sudden and eventful changes have been hastened in their coming by a conjunction of causes. By harnessing together steam and electricity distance has been annihilated and the whole human family have been gather- ed around the same fireside.
Heathen and barbarous nations once at an infinite distance are now our neighbors. At the sound of the axe and the hammer, the whistle of the steam engine and the tick of the telegraph, the rude demon of barbarity has fled away and by the benign influence of the christian religion we bow around the same altar worship and pay our vows to a common Lord.
The boundaries of science have been enlarged and the area of human knowledge indefinitely extended since the year of our Lord 1791.
Modes of communication, of transacting business, of travel, of living, the implements of peace and of war have undergone an entire change. If those who finished their earthly probation a century ago were permitted to revisit the earth they would find few old familiar landmarks in the physical, intel- lectual, moral, social or political world.
This earth would be a foreign land to them as much as would this beau- tiful city of Hamilton to those who felled the first tree and built the first cabin on the bank of the Miami one hundred years ago.
This is but a type of the changes wrought everywhere in the civilized world. This generation has found that the resources of nature are inex- haustible and that all of them can be made to minister to man's infinite wants, and contribute to his happiness. He can even make the lightning his message boy.
The opinion of some and especially among the aged is that while the world is advancing in knowledge it is degenerating in morals. This is a very great mistake. Moral as well as physical and intellectual progress characterize the age in which we live. Formerly our knowledge of events was bounded by our immediate neighborhood. Now the daily events occur- ring anywhere on the planet are recorded in our daily papers. Whatever is startling or sensational, no matter in what remote corner of the earth is in- stantly seized by the news gatherer. Events a week old however important are stale and uninteresting.
If a city in Egypt is being bombarded by a hostile foe we read an ac-
SECTIONAL VIEW, BAND STAND FAIR GROUND,
115
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
count of it while it is in progress. If a Russian Emperor is assassinated, we know the particulars six hours before it occurs, because our messenger has outrun the rapid flight of time. Inventions to subdue and control the forces of nature and compel them to do the will of their master forcibly attest the truth of the declaration that while "the heavens are the Lords, the earth he has given to the children of men." Man cannot make a requisition upon the earth or the atmosphere, or upon any of the elements which will not meet with a ready response. If in the animal world subjected to his will there is a deficiency of oil to lubricate the worlds machinery he only needs to penetrate the earth, and rivers of oil pour forth. If he wants more light or heat, or increased motive power, he utilizes the store houses of gas, or converts the lighting into artificial suns, or harnesses the firy bird of heaven to his car.
Dr. Lardner said that the Atlantic Ocean could never be crossed by steam power, that a vessel could not be constructed of sufficient capacity to hold the fuel necessary for so long a voyage. He had hardly recorded his prediction when a steam vessel came puffing into the harbor from distant Europe. So wonderful is the invention of the age that this long journey has been accomplished in six days. Wooden vessels which have been used since the day that Noah built the ark have given place to those of steel and iron. Poor John Fitch a hundred years ago, invented the first boat to be propelled by "fire and steam." Unable to obtain assistance in Europe or America to utilize his invention, he left the abodes of civilization, sought a refuge in the forests of Kentucky where he committed suicide and was burried in a grave unmarked by a single stone, while Robert Fulton acquired fame and fortune, which belonged of right to John Fitch.
This is a fit illustration that the world's benefactors seldom enjoy the fruits of their toil, ingenuity and skill.
The improvements, changes and progress of the century are not con- fined to any one or any hundred departments, but they embrace everything which relates to the advancement and progress of human society. The arts of peace and of war, and the fine arts as well, have undergone a complete revolution.
A few illustrations will suggest a thousand equally wonderful and im- portant. The improvements in the printing press within the century have resulted in deluging the world with papers, magazines and books. Ben Franklin could by hard labor turn off 250 papers printed on one side in an hour now by the aid of steam, Hoe's press will print 20,000 in the same time. It may be truthfully said "of making of books there is no end." The flint lock rifle or musket with its ramrod and the accompanying powder horn and bullet pouch, which hung upon the cabin wall of our fathers has given place to the breech loader, with the percussion cap and cartridge. The revolver, the gatling gun, the shell and dynamite and the torpedo were unknown a hundred years ago.
AMPBELL AVE PARK COOKING WEST.
COURT HOUSE, RAHANTON & LawgEN WALD
EMNONPAREIL ENG. Co.
II7
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
No less marvelous are the changes in the fine arts.
When our fathers would procure a likeness of one they loved they em- "ployed a limner who after days of skilled and patient labor would produce a picture, which aided by the imagination resembled the original. Now the sun in the heavens is summoned to transfer to a delicately prepared plate every linement of the contenance, to be thence multiplied a thousand fold. Now every cabin in the land has its picture gallery. Here is found the greyhairs and wrinkles of old age, the freshness and beauty of matured man- hood and womanhood, and the dimples on the cheek of childhood all faith- fully delineated. By the phonograph the speech of a Clay or the song of a Kellog, with every tone or modulation of the voice is recorded, and repro- duced at will in all future time.
But why attempt to enumerate the inventions, and discoveries of the century. The hundred thousand models in the patent office representing the triumphs of inventive genius, embracing every calling and pursuit, proves the futility of any such attempt.
This is pre-eminently a fast age. The ordinary processes of nature are too slow to satisfy the restless spirit of the people. Even hens are wasting their time sitting three weeks on a dozen eggs. Incubators have been invented to hatch 500 at a time and it is said that artificial eggs are now made superior to the hen fruit.
We refer to these instances only to suggest trains of thought, that our hearers may understand and work out for themselves the problems of the century.
It is a source of great satisfaction and gratifying to our pride that a large majority of the important discoveries and inventions are American.
Some twenty years ago I was on a fast train of cars between Liverpool and London. In the same compartment was Sir Robert Briscoe one of the oldest and the most distinguished Baronets of England whose very pleasant acquaintance I had previously made.
He spoke in glowing terms of the wonderful achievements of American genius and enterprise, and of how proud he was that America was the daughter of Great Britain. But said the eminent statesman, the mother takes precedence of her daughter in some things. I replied that may be true Sir Robert but to what do you refer. He said, "in machinery. our skilled workmen outrank all others in the world. I remarked that I had seen in Europe mowing and reaping machines, sewing and knitting machines but they were all American. But said he, look at our locomotives, the works of our skilled mechanics we send them to all parts of the world. He heard from me with apparent incredulity that I had seen upon an English R. R. a locomotive labeled Patterson, N. J. When we stopped for a few moments midway on our journey I asked an Engineer if he had ever seen an Ameri- «can locomotive in England. Oh yes he replied, the one drawing this train wwas made in the United States.
DAYTON STREET LOOKING EAST.
119
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
Sir Robert asked why it had been brought here. The Engineer prompt- ly answered, they make better locomotives in the United States than we do in England added that the London and Great Northern Railway had re- centiy ordered fifteen from Philadelphia.
Sir Robert howed to me very low remarking "I beg that you will never mention it." I was so elated at my victory that I boasted of Philadelphia as my home, although I resided 600 miles away.
I know that my hearers will indulge me in some reflections in reference to the relations our country sustains to the upward march of the race since 1791.
America has the proud distinction of leading the way in the struggle to attain a higher and better civilization. Ours is the model after which all the republican forms of Government have been constructed. Those who believe that an overruling Providence superintends and directs human affairs can readily recognize a divine hand in every step of human progress, whether it be in the physical, intellectual, moral, social or political world. May it not be that God kept back the knowledge of this continent from the civilized na- tions of the earth, on purpose, that here might be established a better form of government, and that the treasure house of nature might be explored, and its wealth brought forth to enrich and elevate the race. Civil and eclesiasti- cal institutions hitherto had been based upon the idea that a few were born to govern and the masses to serve. The jewell truth of the divine right of man- hood and not of kings that like the little stone cut out of the mountain with- out hands was to fill tho earth came with our pilgrim Fathers to this land. Here God had built his loftiest mountains, had channeled his deepest rivers, had spread out his broadest plans, here he had laid up his richest mineral treasures. Here he had provided everthing with which to construct the noblest fabric of human government, and the most gorgeous temple of human freedom.
Slavery was permitted to be established here that the two theories of civilization might be tested ? Whether to attain the highest civilization man must be relieved from labor, and eat his bread in the sweat of a menials face, or whether for the most perfect development of his physical, intellectual and moral nature, he must imitate the example of the man of Nazarith, who said "my Father worketh hitherto and I work." That there might be no mis- taking the benefit of free educated labor, over ignorant, slave labor the hard and reluctant soil and cold climate of the north were assigned to the former while the rich Savannahs, the genial sunshine and mild temperature of the south were given to the latter.
The problem was being wrought out for the benefit of all mankind and would have been peacefully solved when by the madness and folly of men in both sections, the war of civilizations was inaugurated. A wicket cruel, fratricidal war. The supreme ruler of the Universe who "makes the wrath
View of SOUTHERLAND PARK LOOKING NORTHWEST
NONPAREIL ENG. CO
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
of man to praise him and restrains the remainder of that wrath" decided the contest. There are such events in human history as "Providential births,"" and when any great result affecting the race is to be attained some nation will be in travail, and in proportion to the agony and blood of the parturition will be the greatness and glory to the event of the human race. Our nation within a period of one hundred years passed through two of those prov den- tial births. The war of the revolution and our civil war-both for the attain- ment of the same end. That all men are entitled to life and libeaty acquire, and enjoy property pursue and obtain happiness and safety was the issue in both these struggles.
While we would not indulge in this joyous occasion in fearful forebod- ings we should not shut our eyes to the fact that there are clouds in the hor- rizon of our glory that portend a storm, there are dangers which threaten to lay this noble fabric of Government in ruins.
The great and good Lincoln who piloted our ship of state through the storm when the waves of civil commotion threatened to engulph it, and who. now occupies the highest niche in the temple of fame, and whose wonderful achievements will be more and more appreciated as the centuries wear away, saw as with a prophets vision breakers ahead.
He said, "We may all congratulate ourselves that the cruel war is near- ing a close. It has cost a vast amount of treasure and blood. The best blood of American youth has been freely offered upon our country's altar that the nation might live. It has been indeed a trying hour for the Re- public, but I see in the near future a crisis arising that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war corporrtions have been enthroned, an era of corruption in high planes will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working up the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggre· gated in few hands and the republic is destroyed. I feel at this moment more anxiety for the safety of my country than ever before in the midst of the war. God grant that my suspicions may prove groundless."
Such were the words of the patriot and seer.
The rapid accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few and the equally rapid pauperization of the many by ill advised legislation may invite a conflict between capital and labor.
When the fact is stated that 30,000 persons are worth more than 60,000- 000 we can account for the fear and trembling of the sainted patriot. We unite our petition with his that this threatened cup of sorrow muy pass from us. If this nation the favorite child of Providence shall be called again to wade through a sea of blood, and pass through Gethsemanee's agony, we have a christian faith, that it will not only suruive but take a higher position among the nations of the earth. Ours shall be the Mesiah of nations lead- ing them all up to greater heights of national glory, where humanity shall.
REV. EDWARD W. ABBEY.
123
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
build her homes, science her temple, justice her shriners and religion of righteousness her altars.
The fifteen minutes allowed me are more than exhausted, and the events of the world in the last century remain unenumerated because every day of the one hundred years has been freighted with them.
THE FUTURE.
BY REV. E. W. ABBEY.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen :
W HO could have stood one hundred years ago, at the newly located fort- on the banks of the Miami, and have predicted the present city of Hamilton, with its 20,000 population, its steaming factories, its busy stores, its comfortable homes, its prosperous schools and churches? Who, then, could have prophesied the Ohio that now is; and the galaxy of forty-four United States, the most prosperous and mightiest nation on the globe? Who, then, could have dreamed of the present industrial and social and moral condition of the world. These addresses, warranting the historical facts, that we have heard tonight, had they been spoken one hundred years ago as prophecies, would have been accounted the wildest of phantasies.
But the undreamed of development has taken place. Here are the facts. And now what of the future? What will the coming century reveal? I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, yet it is made my duty in com- pleting the logical order of addresses of this occasion, to speak prophetically. And I shall be a prophet, not of evil, but of good ; not of despondency, but of hope. I see no setting sun, but a rising sun. I see in the future not only new inventions in mechanics, but new inventions for disseminating knowledge; not only increased industrial powers, but increase of moral force ; not only improvement in commercial agencies, but improvement in social and moral condition.
It called for unusual faith one hundred years ago to prophesy good things for this land. The best men had scarcely any clear and hopeful out- look for the future. But we have this most remarkable history behind us, through all of which we see the mighty march of agencies, which have not only leveled forests, and plowed prairies, and tunneled mountains, and built cities, and heaped up wealth, but have quite as well torn down abuses that cursed mankind, and have produced a happier social and better moral con- dition.
MIAMI SUSPENSION BRIDGE LOOKING WEST,
WILS
IV NANOVE
125
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
But I am not to make a comparison of the past and present, only so far as the facts of the present, in their relation to the past, reveal what we may reasonably expect to see evolved in the future.
This city of Hamilton will expand on every side, and presently be a city of 50,000 population ; our manufacturing industries will presently demand the work of ten-fold the number of hands now employed; beautiful parks will adorn our streets, and handsome residences will crown our surrounding hill-tops ; that in every respect, the material prosperity of this city will be all that can be desired for enriching her citizens. This same prosperity will be experienced by the whole land, and by all the sisterhood of nations. The future has wrapped up within its unopened leaves the beauty of hoped for things and the sweet fragrance of a better social condition for mankind Our prophesy is guided by a considerstion of those forces, which operate with the authority of inviolable law in determining the events of the succeed- ing years.
Hamilton is no city walled in from the busy world about us; nor is America a nation with doors closed to other continents. We enter the cen- tury with the channels of communication such as to bring all men, the world over, into such close contact, that each individual will be quickly affected by what occurs in any quarter of the globe. The railroad, the steamship, the telegraph, constitute the nerve system of the world. Nothing hereafter can be done in a corner. Nothing in the coming years, will be too far away to escape detection. By this great nerve-system all humanity, all the races of men will be united in brotherhood. Before the sun of any dav sets, the thought of one man will become the thought of all mankind ; the deed of one man will be scrutinized by all men the world over; the wheat-field on yonder hillside will as readily be baked into bread in a Chinese or English oven, as in an American ; the boy or girl graduating from the Hamilton High School will anticipate doing his life-work as a teacher in a Japanese College, or a Syrian School, or an African Station, as in his own native state. Reci- procity is the great underlying fact of the world today, and the coming cen- tury will experience the larger unfolding of the forces, industrial and social which have now appeared.
No person weighing the significense of the facts detailed in these his- torical addresses. and estimating the potency of the coming allegorical pro- cession on the morrow, can doubt whether the sun is rising or setting upon our world. Every year is decking itself with greater glory; every year is illuminating the continents with new visions of hope ; every year is realizing new experiences of freedom, and justice and fraternity. A profound ob- server of current events recently deceased, seeing the clear evidences of human advancement, and the great strides of progress crowding on with rapid footsteps, was accustomed to say, that he would like to live a hundred years longer, that he might participate in the glories of the grand advancing era.
"O) INI WITWENOR -
-
ENTRANCE GREENWOOD CEMETERY. SUPERINTENDENT GOSHORN IN FORE GROUND
127
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
It is not altogether strange, however, that there should be prophets of evil among us. They have detected the dark spots on the face of the sun, and with microscopic vision they persist in confirming their view to them blind to the larger fact of the warmth and light of the glorious luminary. There are dangers ahead of us, which we do clearly forsee. There is bitter inequality of social condition ; there are grinding despotisms, there are evils and abuses perpetuated by evil and strong hands. Inventions multiply, science implores, art is cultivated, the means of comfort increased, philan - thropy extends a well-filled hand elemasanary institutions open wide doors, religion offers a comforting hope ; but with it all, want remains, muscles and brains are taxed to their utmost for daily bread, temptation lurks in a thous- and places, spacious forms of evil seek to undermine whatever is good.
Many shadows and much poisonous malaria linger on the low lands, yet we do not behold the sun of righteousness and equity rising high above the horizon, moving on toward the zenith, filling the future full to overflowing with the promise of glory to purify and sweeten all the habitations of man. Our poets see this with clear eyes, when they sing of the "world and all the wonders that shall be." We see it in the reasonable signs of the times, as well as the prophecies of our God.
In spite, therefore, of all the spectres of darkness, which still walk our earth, we make no apology for our gladness and our hopefulness on this centennial occasion. A broad and judicious generalization leaves no room for pessimism. We do not fail to see that our civilization, with all its achievements, has still its under side of terrible menace, just as in ancient Athens, the cave of Turies was underneath the rock on whose top sat the Court of the Areopagus. But we do not forsee ruin ; we do not fear disaster. We do see trouble, and that much must be done in the coming years. The furies will not be kept chained in their cave and exterminated without vast effort. Heavy duties and arderous toils lie in the future. Stern battles will be fought, and they will be fought successfully. Over every storm cloud we see the bright bow of promise irritating the coming years.
Let us specify a little. War with its horrors, is one of the dreadest af- flictions of earth. Are wars to continue ? We commemorate the locating of a fort-Fort Hamilton, one hundred years ago. That was a time of gen- eral war. Europe was in convulsions. American settlements were in con- stant dread of warlike Indians. Soldiers and forts were a necessity.
But as the last century has seen a radical change in the character of war from preceding eenturies, so will the coming century see wars pass away altogether. Formerly wars were for mere aggrandisement, or for the suc- cession of reigning dynasties. With the present century came wars for human rights, marking advance of popular liberty. Revolution has filled the air. Despotisms gave way to written constitutions. In many cases monarchies have given way to republics.
CITY GAS AND WATER WORKS.
129
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
National sentiment causes the greatest despotisms to bow to its will, and kings plead at the bar of public opinion. These results have been achieved through war, which, while thus a necessary evil, has been an agency of wildest good. And now war is passing away.
But you will say that the heart of Europe is one vast military encamp- ment, and that America is different only because the Atlantic ocean rolls be- tween us and the politics of the Eastern hemisphere. Does not this contra- dict our prophesy ? The cry from the heart of the nations is Disarm. And they will disarm ; and that before long. This is our prophesy. For a little while longer, armaments may be increased ; and the enormous waste be borne. There may be the mighty meeting of armies. The earth will tremble under the shock. Then there will be a settlement. Then, at far- therest, these armies of the earth will disband ; and the Eastern Hemisphere will be even as our beloved America. The curtain will drop upon that act in the drama of human progress ; and the final scene will open, that of arbi- tration of differences among nations. This is the profound sentiment with which we enter the coming century. The future willl show that permanent relations of confidence, respect and friendship can subsist between nations with only an international court of arbitration. This is the promise of the World's Redeemer; and the Prince of Peace will ascend His throne. The fort will give place to the peaceful city ; its armament of spear and sword will be removed to give place to the factory for the plow and pruning knife.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.