Itis enough to know that they overcame^every difficulty and surmounted every^obstacle. In all their laudable ambitions^they finally triumphed. All along the line^will be found the record of an honorable^career. For twenty years 1 have been a^close observer of men and affairs in this^territory. During that time 1 nave nn.ed^with pride the increase of our intelti^em e,^the advancement of out civilization, the de^^velopment of our resources, the augmenta^^tion of our wealth, the stimulation of our^ambitions, and the realization of many of^our best hopes, until to-day 1 behold here^^assembled the representatives of a people^who, by every rule of virtue, education,^property, patriotism and industry, are fill^^ing to fullest measurr ^ very requirement of^citizenship.
Twenty-fiveyears have wrought these^and many other changes. They might^have b*ei longer delayed under different^circum ^tane^ s. It was fortunat- for us^that among the brave and adventurous^spirits who subdued the plains and con^^quered the mountains in order that they^might lay here broad and deep the founda^^tion of a great commonwealth, there were^not a few men of high character, sound in^^tegrity and rare ability. They formed the^nucleus around which mat'irert and pros^pered the brave men and beautiful women^of these matchless mountains. They^inhabited what was then a re^^mote land. 1 fain can hear the giad^acclaim that went up when the news, so^long delajed by the method of its coming,^finally reached them that Montaua ou the^2rtth dav of May. 1864, had been organized^as a territory, and that the law, although^traveling with a leaden heel, was soon to^be secure; enthroned in their midst. The^view of our career as a people, of our un-^exempled progress and prosperity, the^hardships endured and the ultimate suc^^cess obtained thereby, ought ever be to us^an inspiring mem ^ry.
