Adlai Stevenson

In other times, monuments have been erected to men whose chief distinction was, that desolation and human slaughter had marked their pathways.

Henceforth, upon its annual recurrence, ordinary avocations are to be suspended, and this day wholly set apart to pursuits which tend to beautify the home, make glorious the landscape, and gladden the hearts of all the people.

It is no mere figure of speech to say that the wilderness--by transition almost miraculous--has become a garden, the desolate places been made to blossom as the rose. 'Tree-planting day' is now one of the sacred days of this commonwealth.

Touched by his magic wand, millions of trees now beautify and adorn this magnificent State.

The glory is his of having called Arbor Day into being.

With clear brain and clean hands he ably and faithfully administered high public trusts.

Of few men could it more truly be said, 'He took counsel ever of his courage--never of his fears.' With firm convictions upon pending vital issues, he did not shrink from the conflict.

To-day, inspired by the sublime lessons of the event we celebrate and with hearts of gratitude to God for all he hath vouchsafed to our fathers and to us in the past, let us take courage, and turn our faces hopefully, reverently…

Eighty millions of people, proud of local traditions and achievements, yet looking beyond the mere confines of their distinctive commonwealths, find their chief glory in being citizens of the great Republic.

My countrymen, the little settlement planted just three centuries ago near the spot upon which we have to-day assembled has under divine guidance grown into a mighty nation.

To garner up the fruits of successful revolution by ensuring stable government was the task demanding the loftiest statesmanship.

The words spoken in the British Parliament by Barre--worthy comrade of the gallant Wolfe on the Heights of Abraham--near a century and a half after the event we now celebrate, will quicken the pulse of all coming generations of American…