ncient world was in their having
passed away without a knowledge of the actual existence of Duluth; that
their fabled Atlantis, never seen save by the hallowed vision of
inspired poesy, was, in fact, but another name for Duluth; that the
golden orchard of the Hesperides was but a poetical synonym for the beer
gardens in the vicinity of Duluth. (Great laughter.) I was certain that
Herodotus had died a miserable death because in all his travels and with
all his geographical research he had never heard pf Duluth. (Laughter,)
I knew that if the immortal spirit of Homer could look down from another
heaven than that created by his own celestial genius upon the long lines
of pilgrims from every nation of the earth to the gushing fountain of
poesy opened by the touch of his magic wand; if he could be permitted to
behold the vast assemblage of grand and glorious productions of the
lyric art called into being by his own inspired strains, he would weep
tears of bitter anguish that, instead of lavishing all the stores of his
mighty genius upon the fall of Ilion, it had not been his more blessed
lot to crystallize in deathless song the rising glories of Duluth.
(Great and continued laughter.) Yet, sir, had it not been for this map,
kindly furnished me by the Legislature of Minnesota, I might have gone
down to my obscure and humble grave in an agony of despair, because I
could nowhere find Duluth. (Renewed laughter.) Had such been my
melancholy fate, I have no doubt that, with the last feeble pulsation of
my breaking heart, with the last faint exhalation of my fleeting breath,
I should have whispered, "Where is Duluth?" (Roars of laughter.)

But, thanks to the beneficence of that band of ministering angels who
have their bright abodes in the far-off capital of Minnesota, just as
the agony of my anxiety was about to culminate in the frenzy of despair,
this blessed map was placed in my hands; and as I unfolded it a
resplendent scene of ineffable glory opened before me, such as I imagine
burst upon the enraptured vision of the wandering peri through the
opening gates of paradise. (Renewed laughter.) There, there for the
first time, my enchanted eye rested upon the ravishing word "Duluth."

This map, sir, is intended, as it appears from its title, to illustrate
the position of Duluth in the United States; but if gentlemen will
examine it, I think they will concur with me in the opinion that it is
far too modest in its pretensions. It not