Page 224 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

220 WISOONSIN HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
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been honored by her citizens, perhaps beyond my merit-
I feel for the old settlers and their descendants, a regard
little short of kindred tie-under such circumstances, would
it not be strange and unnatural should I not feel partial
to old Brown County, and alive to. her best interests.
The history of States like that of individuals, may be
divided into three stages; the former, in their Rise, their
Progress, and their Decline-corresponding with the youth,
manhood, and old age of the latter?
Wisconsin has but just entered upon the first period
of her political existence. What she now is, is in a great
degree owing to the "Old pioneers." They were among
the first to ,explore and settle the country. Enduring for
many years the hardships and privations of a frontier life-
leaving behind them the associations of home, and severing
the ties of family and kindred-they came to a wilderness,
inhabited only by people, their natural foes. By energy
and perseverance they surmounted all obstacles, and by their ' ,
courage and firmness repelled the attacks of the savages.
To them is owing the development of the country-the
opening the way for the introduction of civilization, education,
and the arts and sciences; and to them, also should be
awarded the merit of having largely contributed, by their
talents and labor, to the formation and organization of the
former Territory, now State, of Wisconsin. Their conduct
and action, as public servants, will bear the scrutiny of
posterity-and they mill lose nothing in comparison with
legislators or rulers of the few past years. May those who
succeed them, in either capacity, emulate the example, and
prove as true to the interests of the State, as did the "Old
Fogies," in their time; and may the present and future
Legislatures, by their acts, retrieve the character and credit
of the country from the odium brought upon it by reckless
and inconsiderate legislation.
The future progress and ~rosperity of our noble young
State, mainly depend upon the character and conduct of her