June 14,1898



This was the day selected by the Nebraska State Commission for the formal
dedication of the Nebraska building.

This building occupied a most commanding position.  Standing near the edge of
the bluff, overlooking the broad valley of the Missouri, its imposing
appearance made it an object of attention.  The building was 90 x 142 feet on
the ground, and about 90 ft. high to the top of the dome.  It cost about
$25,000 and was furnished at cost of about $5000.  It was admirably adapted to
the purpose for which it was intended; official headquarters for the Nebraska
Commission, and a home for visiting Nebraskans.

The day was fine and great interest was manifested in the proceedings.  Special
trains on all the Nebraska railroads brought in thousands from interior and
remote parts of the state.

As the hour of 11 o'clock A.M. approached, a procession of carriages arrived,
halted at the west entrance to the building, and the distinguished guests of
the day alighted.  The party compromised the Governor, the Honorable Silas A.
Holcomb, accompanied by his entire staff in full regimentals; the President of
the Exposition and the Honorable William J. Bryan.  The party was under the
escort of Chairman Neville, and Secretary Caspar of the Nebraska Commission. 
The speakers of the occasion occupied a raised dais at the nroth end of the
large assembly room, which was beautifully and profusely decorated for the
occasion.

At 11:45 A.M. Commissioner Boydson, acting as master of ceremonies, led the way
to the speaker's platform, followed by Governor Holcomb and staff, President
Wattles, United States Senator W.V. Allen, Chancellor McLean of the University
of Nebraska, ex-Governors Alvin Saunders, Lorenzo Crounse and James E. Boyd;
Honorable William F. Gurley; Members of the Nebraska Exposition Commission, and
Attorney-General C.J. Smyth.

Chancellor McLean delivered the invocation.  he was in good voice and his
prayer that the Divine blessing might rest on the building, the commissioners,
the state and its inhabitants, was a literary gem.

The York Glee Club under the direction of Dr. B.F. Lang then sang - The Union
of States we Hail.

The formal dedication of the building was in charge of Judge William Neville. 
He spoke briefly without notes.  Refering to the Nebraska Building, the
chairman said it offered headquarters for the secret societies, and all other
societies, for the people of all politics and creeds, and hoped that they all
would make the building their home while at the Exposition and in closing he
introduced the governor.

Governor Holcomb.

The governor spoke briefly of the progress of the Great West, particularly of
the state of Nebraska, referring to the period when the section of which
Nebraska is the center, was regarded as a barren spot, and sketched some of the
hardships experienced by some of the early settlers of the state, the primitive
habitations used, and directed attention to the typical sod house exhibited
east of the Nebraska building, illustrative of the fertility of resource of the
early settlers.

Nebraska Poem.

A poem entitled Nebraska was then recited by Mrs. McKeerer of Stromsberg,
Nebraska.

President Wattles.

President Wattles was then introduced to accept the building in behalf of the
Exposition.  He said:

In behalf of the management of the Transmississippi and International
Exposition I accept this beautiful building dedicated here today for the
comfort and convenience of the citizens of Nebraska.  I commend the wisdom of
its conception, the care and economy in its erection and the beauty and
convenience of its design.  The management of the Exposition appreciates the
broad and liberal hospitality of the state board of directors in providing a
home on these grounds, not only for our own citizens, societies and
institutions, but for the representatives of other states and territories.  The
comforts of this building will afford to thousands of strangers who will accept
its hospitality, and will do much to accomplish one of the great objects of
this exposition which is to cement the ties of friendship and good feeling and
bind together with pleasant memories and common interests the citizens from all
parts of this great country.  The east has misunderstood the west and has not
appreciated its resources, its citizens and its magnificent opportunities.  To
the state of Nebraska, the future historian will give the credit of erecting in
times of adversity a great exposition destined to break down prejudices, build
up commerce and promote peace and good will throughout the land.

When our excellent governor recommended in his last biennial message to this
legislature of this state a liberal appropriation in aid of this exposition, a
discussion on the merits of this enterprise was precipitated throughout the
state, which, for several months grew in intensity until a bill was finally
passed and became a law providing for a state building and a state exhibit. 
Many of the speeches in opposition to this measure would be amusing if
reproduced here today.  But when we consider the conditions which prevailed
three years ago in this state we cannot wonder that many questioned the
advisability of the enterprise.  A great panic had paralyzed our business
interests; two crop failures had discouraged our farming communities; many of
our citizens in the western parts of the state had but recently received public
charity and many had abandoned their lands to seek homes in southern climes or
to go back to eastern friends and relatives.  Conditions never seemed more
discouraging and to many who live only in the present an exposition of our
resources in 1898 meant failure and disgrace.  

But adverse conditions make heroes.  The richest inheritance of this generation
is the courage and energy of the pioneers of the west.  These pioneers subdued
the savage tribes which occupied this territory, drove back the buffalo and
antelope and made productive farms of the desert they occupied.  They built
railroads, school-houses, churches and colleges; they bravely met and
surmounted every emergency; they were the best blood and brain of the east and
of all parts of the world.  From them and their descendants came words of
encouragement and support to the managers of this enterprise.  Those men who
had seen the state of Nebraska in times of temporary adversity before, knew
that the natural conditions of this state justified the expectation of a speedy
return of good crops and prosperity in business, and so from all parts of the
state came a demand by petition and through the press in favor of the
exposition which our legislators could not resist.

That the appropriation of state and national funds for this exposition was
wise, cannot be doubted by any who believe in public schools and other public
institutions of learning.  From an educational standpoint; what could impart
more information and better education than an exposition of this character?  
Who can stand at either end of the grand court and look at the magnificent
spectacle of architectural grandeur there displayed without receiving
impressions and inspiration which will last through life.  To the farmer whose
days are spent in honest toil in the quiet and peaceful pursuits of country
life, what must be the sensations of wonder and delight in seeing for the first
time the electrical effects of these grounds and buildings at night.  To the
great majority of our citizens who have never seen the capital of the nation
and the departments of our government, what could be more interesting and
educating than the illustrations of the workings of these departments made in
the beautiful government building here?  To one and all the display of art from
the masters of the Old World and the best painters of modern times, the
statuary, the machinery, the products of farm and factory, and the highest and
best results of genius and invention cannot fail to be a school of learning
that could not be equaled in any other way.

But the financial benefits of this exposition to the state of Nebraska and to
the entire west will amply repay the expense and effort in its promotion. 
Already the attention of the world has been attracted by the magnificent
display of our resources here made, and during the next four months, thousands
of homeseekers and investors will visit the exposition and investigate the
opportunities of the west.  That this state will secure its full share of this
tide of immigration we cannot doubt when we consider that the growing crops
this year in many counties promise to exceed the value of the farms on which
they are produced, that the livestock interests of the state have doubled in
the last four years and that thousands of acres of the richest and best lands
in the world for the production of corn and sugar beets are today unoccupied. 
New life and energy will be infused in all branches of industry throughout the
state by the men and money that will be attracted here by the exposition and
the improved conditions which now prevail.  The investment of this state will
be returned many fold by the increase in value of its taxable property and by
the higher and better civilizations of its citizens.

In view of the many benefits of this Exposition to the state of Nebraska, I
most heartily congratulate his excellency, the governor, the lawmakers of this
state and the state board of directors fo the exposition on the wisdom and
statesmanship displayed in making an appropriation for a state building and an
exhibit here.  I congratulate them on this magnificent building which does
honor to the state it represents and credit to the exposition of which it forms
a partm.  In the name of the Exposition, I accept this building for the
purposes for which it is this day dedicated.

Honorable W. J. Bryan.

After music by the Glee Club Mr. Bryan reviewed the progress of the state and
touched upon the Cuban War in the following language:

Nebraska is ready to do her part in time of war as well as in time of peace. 
Her citizens were among the first to give expression to their sympathy with the
Cuban patriots, and her representatives in the senate and house took a
prominent part in the advocacy of armed intervention by the United States.

When the president issued a call for volunteers, Nebraska's quota was promptly
furnished, and she is prepared to respond to the second and subsequent calls.

Nebraska's attitude upon this subject does not, however, indicate that the
state is inhabited by a contentious or warlike people; it simply proves that
our people understand both the rights conferred, and the obligations imposed,
by a proximity to Cuba.  Understanding these rights and obligations, they do
not shrink form any consequences which may follow the performance of a national
duty.
War is harsh; it is attended by hardship and suffering; it means a vast
expenditure of men and money.  We may well pray for the coming of the time,
promised in Holy Writ when the spears shall be beaten into pruning-hooks, and
the swords into plough-shares; but the universal peace cannot come until
justice is enthroned throughout the world.  Jehovah deals with nations as He
deals with men, and for both decrees that the wages of sin is death.  Until the
right has triumphed in every land and love reigns in every heart, governments
must, as a last resource appeal to force.  As long as the oppressor is deaf to
the advice of reason, so long must the citizen accustom his shoulder to the
musket and his hand to the saber.

Our nation exhausted diplomacy in its efforts to secure a peaceable solution of
the Cuban question; and only took up arms when it was compelled to choose
between war and servile acquiescence and cruelties which would have been a
disgrace to barbarism.

History will vindicate the position taken by the United States in the war with
Spain.  In saying this, I assume that the principles which were invoked in the
inauguration of the war will be observed in its prosecution and conclusion.  If
a contest undertaken for the sake of humanity degenerates into a war of
conquest, we shall find it difficult to meet the charge of having added
hypocrisy to greed.

Is our national character so weak that we cannot withstand the temptation to
appropriate the first piece of land that comes within our reach?  To inflict
upon the enemy all possible harm is legitimate warfare, but shall we
contemplate a scheme for the colonization of the Orient merely because our
fleet won a remarkable victory in the harbor of Manila?

Our guns destroyed a Spanish fleet, but can they destroy that self-evident
truth, that governments derive their just powers - not form superior force, but
from the consent of governed?

Shall we abandon a just resistance to European encroachment upon the western
hemisphere in order to mingle in the controversies of Europe and Asia?
______________________

The next item in the program was a vocal solo by Professor Morte Parsons of
Omaha, - words and music composed by him, and entitled

The Little Old Sod Shanty on the Plains.

Honorable W.F. Hurley was the next speaker, and his remarks were as follows:

Fellow Citizens:  The dedication of the Nebraska building is in reality the
inauguration of the transmississippi exposition.  The orators of this occasion,
speaking with authority, voice the welcome of a most gracious host, the
commonwealth of Nebraska.  The ceremonials of this hour convey formal notice to
the civilized world that the hospitality of our state is boundless and that
every guest within out gates shall find a royal welcome.

The American exposition of the broadest scope has heretofore been not only
commemorative, but has been the chronicle of some great national anniversary,
or the celebration of an epoch in history.  The transmississippi exposition has
no place in this majestic series of formal festivals.  No memory which duty
enjoins to embalm in marble sits enthroned among the palaces of this triumphal
city.  It rears today its domes of gold and minarets of alabaster as an
inspiration born of the passionate impulse of a proud people; not a memory, but
a radiant dream - a dream which is also a prophecy!

For more than a hundred years the traditions of the republic have found
lodgment among the granite hills of New England and in the pine groves and
cotton fields of the balmy south.  To New England and the south we turn with
pride to read the annals of American ancestry; but in the magnificent prairie
and mountain states, those colossal principalities which comprise the "seat of
empire" of the new west, enthroned between the mountains and the Mississippi,
we behold the fulfillment of the hope of American posterity.

The Centennial and the World's Fair were superb monuments to the glittering
pageantry of completed history.  The exposition, to which we bid you welcome,
is unique in character, and in its promise of future grandeur more wonderful
than the crystallization of centuries of matured development which
characterized the national pageants at Philadelphia and Chicago.  The perfected
products of a matured civilization may well incite the admiration of observant
men.  But it has remained for the progressive population of this royal region,
rich in resources beyond the flight of the most exuberant fancy, to present for
the delectation of mankind the inexhaustible treasures of an incomparable
territory, comprising the most princely provinces of our national domain.

This exposition is representative not of what we have been, but rather of what
we may be, and under the providence of God what we are to be, Nebraska rejoices
that the time has come when as the official representative of the great west
she may extend a welcome to the denizen of the East; hopeful and confident that
by contact and association those errors and misconceptions which have arisen as
to the character and purpose of her citizenship may be forever swept away.

Conservative and radical are much abused terms.  In recent years they have been
employed to emphasize a demarkation line between the so-called eastern and
western halves of the republic.  The accumulated wealth of the east, by virtue
of the logic of human nature, has impressed its timidity and conservative
quality upon the citizenship of that portion of the republic.  In the east
dwell the sentinels of wealth.  In the west, pioneers of fortune.  He who has
is ever conservative, while he who hopes is ever radical.  I do not hesitate to
affirm that the radicalism of the west, born of honest tumult and patriotic
commotion, is the sure sign of that superb progression which blazes the pathway
of civilization, and builds the roadways for the onward march of humanity
toward the final and triumphant destiny of the race.

To be radical is to agitate, and in agitation lies the safety of the republic. 
Some one has defined agitation to be "marshaling the conscience of a nation to
mould its laws," and since John Brown trod the soil of Kansas, we of the west,
have been agitators.  Popular government can only exist through a continual
process of fermentation.  Free speech is at the basis of free institutions, and
out of the clamor and heat of partisan discussion arises the best thought, the
highest purpose of a patriotic people.

My fellow-citizens:  I can conceive of no more appropriate occasion than the
present, on this day, and at this hour, to protest against the misconception of
our status as a commonwealth, or our purpose as a people.  WIth seventeen years
of personal knowledge and an intimate acquaintance with the history of Nebraska
since its admission to the sisterhood of states; as a loyal son of this
glorious commonwealth, I challenge the assertion, whenever or wherever made,
that any branch of our state government in any period of its history, has ever
made an assault upon the rights of citizenship, real or personal, or endeavored
to wield an arbitrary authority in defiance of law or constitution.

Agitation is one thing - lawlessness another.  The west is turbulent, but not
lawless; and out of that turbulency and commotion, there arises the spirit of
the genius of liberty.

Today Nebraska throws open wide her golden gates, and summons to her portals
the myriads of mankind.  To this enchanted city of the plains she lures with
wizard wand the unnumbered host of other lands and climes.  Superb sponsor of a
regal hospitality, broad as the prairies, rich and varied as the mountain range
which rear their snow-crowned crests in salutation to the sky; robed in the
glittering garments which nature weaves alone in token of man's toil; imperial
in her pride, her sovereign brow tinged with the glow of the approaching dawn,
she bids the nations hail.

HONORABLE C.J. SMYTH.

After a further musical selection by the Glee Club, Attorney General C.J. Smyth
was introduced, and his address was as follows:

Mr. President, ladies and gentlement:  This is Nebraska's day.  It is on this
day that we may sound the praises of our great commonwealth.  She bids her sond
to do this, not in the spirit of vanity, but that she may be known as she is. 
Not one jot nor tittle would she take from the glory of her sister states who
have come here to display in these buildings and on these grounds the evidences
of their growth, their wealth and their enterprise.  With delight will she
listen when they tell of their resources and their triumphs.  To them she
extends that welcome which becomes a generous, broad-minded and truly American
commonwealth; and to none will she yield in admiration of their greatness.

If we would understand Nebraska as she is, the work of her sons in bringing her
to her present condition and the probabilities of her future, we mut look back
and contemplate, if only for a moment, the "small beginnings" from which she
sprang.

In 1834 the congress of the United States denominated the territory of which
she was then a part, as "The Indian Country".  It was, in fact, at that time
the country of the savage.  The white man had no dominion therein, and the
sweet word "home" was without a meaning on all its broad prairies.  Less than
fifty years ago the Omaha Indians held title to the land on which we stand, and
the entire white population at that time in this vast territory did not exceed
five thousand souls.

Not many years after the Omahas ceded their title to this territory to the
United States, Nebraska's pioneers came and commenced the work of home building
and state building.  The days of the freighters followed; the Union Pacific was
projected and finished; the ox-team gave way to the freight train; the prairie
schooner to the upholstered car, and thus the evolution went on until within
the short span of forty-five years it has culminated in the palaces of art that
lift their classic outlines within the walls of this exposition.  Marvelous has
been the progress.

The surplus products of her farms last year- that is, the products she was able
to send to market,- were worth over $55,000,000.  She has over three thousand
factories, with a capital invested of $40,000,000.  These factories pay yearly
more than $12,000,000 in wages, and the value of their output is $95,000,000
annually.  Here on the border of her chief city are located packing-houses
which bring Nebraska near to the second packing center of the world.  Fourteen
lines of railway have a mileage of four thousand seven hundred and thirty
miles, carrying Nebraska's commerce.

This is but a glimpse of Nebraska, as she is materially; how is she in those
departments of activity which develop the higher nature of man which refines
his thoughts and makes him a force in the dominion of taste and intellect?  Six
universities, twenty-nine colleges, seventeen academies, 6,690 common schools
and seventy-five private schools educate 360,000 of her sons and daughters. 
This is Nebraska's day, and this exposition is her palace.  As she steps to the
main entrance thereof to welcome her guests of the transmississippi region,
notice the inscription on her shield.  It illustrates the fact that she has the
lowest rate of illiteracy of all the states of all this Union.  The national
government has placed her percentage at 3.11.

How appropriate, then, that the representatives of this transmississippi region
should select this state as the place wherein to exhibit to the world their
best specimens of the triumph of the mind over matter, and what specimens they
are!  If you would see a picture as beautiful as ever man created, contemplate
the grand court when illuminated at night.  Go into the buildings, look at the
evidence there of what man has done, and then say, if you will, that his
achievements in the transmississippi country have not been surpassingly great. 
But do not be surprised, for in this region we possess the best blood and
brains of our country.  From the east, and from every nation under the sun,
have come to us energy, independence of character and irresistible
progressiveness that knows no halt until it reaches its goal or the grave. 
From what race has sprung those men?  The Anglo-Saxon?  Those who weep because
we have not lords, and castles and crests and other evidences of barbarism,
answer "Yes".  Men who deal in facts, and not in fancies answer, "No".  Read
the names of those who perished with the Maine, who supported the immortal
Dewey, or who went into the jaws of death with the heroic Hobson.  Were they
all Anglo-Saxon?  Who will say so?  Truth declares that many races were
represented there, The Dane and the Swedish; the German and the Irish. 
Shoulder to shoulder they stood behind the guns of their adopted country,
offered their lives on her altar, and thanked God that they were Americans, the
best race that ever blessed the earth, the combination of all that is good in
all the races of the world.

Today Nebraska sends greetings to the oppressed of every race and of every
clime.  To all, no matter of what race they come, who have energy, intelligence
and industry, couples with a love of freedom, she opens wide her gates and bids
them welcome.  Here under the blessings of our free institutions, and breathing
the air of the most healthful climate in the world they will have their energy
stimulated, their industry rewarded, and their liberty protected.
______________________

Thus the exercises were concluded and the Commissioners and guests proceeded to
the Markel Cafe, where luncheon was served.

The program of exercises for Nebraska Dedication Day has been given in full
practically as reported by one of the Omaha papers.  Other celebrations in the
dedication of buildings which were held during the months of June and July were
similar and only the programs in a few of the most interesting will be given in
full.