OLD SETTLERS' MEETING 1 



The founders of states and empires have always been 

 objects of interest. Ordinarily the origin of a nation or 

 state is lost in the myths of fable. 



The Greeks and the Romans describe their old settlers 

 as the intimate friends of the gods ; and whether we read 

 of an .ZEneas, a Dido, a Romulus, or a Remus, we feel 

 sure that we are in a domain of poetry rather than of his- 

 tory. 



Jasper County has set the example in Iowa of gather- 

 ing together in loving reunion, remnants of the old set- 

 tlers, that they may mingle with the new generations fol- 

 lowing in their footsteps. Jasper is so large a county 

 that more than one of these reunions has been called with- 

 in her borders during the present year. 



The good cheer and bountiful provisions on this camp- 

 ground only attest how near the heart is to the stomach. 

 Such a matter as this is essentially social in its character, 

 and is always absolutely free from political significance. 



A few years ago I was invited to speak at a political 

 barbecue in the neighborhood where I had spent many 

 years upon my father's farm. The old settlers whom I 

 had known for nearly forty years were all there, and they 

 embraced every shade of political opinion. I never 

 found it more difficult to talk party politics than I did 

 facing that kind of an audience. But for the fact that I 

 had been advertised to make a political speech, I would 

 have devoted my entire discourse to topics which would 

 please the old settlers, regardless of their political faith. 



1 Address at Prairie City, Iowa, August 28, 1895. 



