missed.

"The trouble with the parade," remarked Bill Dantz long after, "was
that every one in town was so enthusiastic they insisted on joining
the procession, and there was no one to watch except two men who were
too drunk to notice anything"; which was Dantz's way of saying that
the "first exercise" was eminently successful.

Western Starr [continues the _Press_] was introduced by Dr.
V. H. Stickney, master of ceremonies, and read the
Declaration of Independence in a clear, forcible tone, after
which the entire audience joined in singing that familiar
and patriotic song, "America." The people then partook of
the free dinner prepared for the occasion. After dinner the
people were called to order and Rev. E. C. Dayton offered up
a prayer, followed by music by the band.

The speeches followed. The first speaker was a typical politician of
the old school.

This is a big country [he said]. At a dinner party of
Americans in Paris during the Civil War this toast was
offered by a New Englander: "_Here's to the United States,
bounded on the north by British America, on the south by the
Gulf of Mexico, on the east by the Atlantic, and on the west
by the Pacific Ocean._"

An Ohio man followed with a larger notion of our greatness:
"_Here's to the United States, bounded on the north by the
North Pole, on the south by the South Pole, on the east by
the rising sun, and on the west by the setting sun._"

It took the Dakota man, however, to rise to the greatness of
the subject: "_I give you the United States, bounded on the
north by the Aurora Borealis, on the south by the precession
of the equinoxes, on the east by primeval chaos, and on the
west by the Day of Judgment._"

The politician proceeded with the eloquence of the professional
"orator," and the audience applauded him vociferously. Then Roosevelt
rose and spoke. He looked very slim and young and embarrassed.

I am peculiarly glad [he said] to have an opportunity of
addressing you, my fellow citizens of Dakota, on the Fourth
of July, because it always seems to me that those who dwell
in a new territory, and whose actions, therefore, are
peculiarly fruitful, for good and for bad alike, in shaping
the future, have in consequence peculiar responsibilities.
You have already been told, very truthfully and effectively,