Governor Routt, Mr. Mayor, Pioneers of Colorado, Comrades of the Grand Army [cheers] and Fellow-citizens—This scene is inspiring. This beautiful city, the fame of which your journeying citizens have not failed to carry to the far East [laughter and cheers], has become known to me as we can know by the hearing of the ear; and I am rejoiced to add to my pleasant impressions of Colorado, and of its commercial and political capital, that which is in sight of the eye, which has but deepened and enlarged the favorable impressions which I brought to your State. It is a marvellous thing that all we see here is in a State whose existence dates from the dawn of the second century of our national life. What a tremendous testimony to the organizing power and energy of the American people this great State is! That these wastes, so unpromising to the eye in that early time, should have been invaded by the restless energy of indomitable men; that they should have seen in visions that which was to follow their heroic labor for the development of these hidden resources; that no drought or drifting sand, no threat of mountain nor of sky, could turn back these brave-hearted men who had set their faces to pierce and uncover the hidden riches of these mountains. The pioneers of Colorado are worthy of honor. Those who have entered into their labors, who have come not toilsomely but on swift and easy wings into the heritage that they have opened, should, always and everywhere, gratefully acknowledge the services of those who made this easy pathway for their feet. [Cheers.]

Your State is blessed in the diversity of its resources. You do not depend on any one of the great industries of civilized life. You have taken from your mines immense stores of the precious metals, but when these are gone or their supply is diminished you will turn your eyes toward those metals that we call base, but that after all enter in so many ways into human life that they supply more enduring and in the end more profitable industries. Your iron, and coal, and lead, and building stone will be sources of income inexhaustible. These valleys, touched by the magical power of irrigation, will yield to your population abundant food, and you will yet have within yourselves that happy commercial condition of a State producing and exchanging within its own limits nearly all the necessaries of life. [Cheers.] Transportation is always a burden. The industrial condition is always best when the producers and the consumers are near together.

I am glad to know that you have not been so busy in delving into the earth; that you have not so turned your minds to the precious metal as to have forgotten that there is a blue sky above you; that there are aspirations, and hopes, and glories that are greater than all material things. [Cheers.] You have not failed to make sure that the children, the blessed children of your homes, that are now coming on, are made secure in the possession of a well-ordered and of a well-endowed school system. [Cheers.] What a testimony it is to the American character that, however intense the push for the things of this life, however eager the pursuit of gain, you can never assemble a community of 200 people that they do not begin to organize schools for the children. [Cheers.] These common schools are not simply nurseries of intellectual training; they are nurseries of citizenship. [Cheers.]

It has been a most happy sight to see the same old banner that we bore into the smoke of battle and carried over dying comrades to place it in triumph on the ramparts of the enemy now in the hands of the children of Colorado. [Cheers.] Proof has been made a thousand times—proof will be made whenever the occasion requires—that, as much as we pursue gain and personal ends, we have nothing—property or life—that we do not freely lay down upon the altar of our country for the general good. [Cheers.] But, my fellow-citizens, this assemblage is too vast, and the demand upon my time for public speech has been too protracted, to enable me to pursue these remarks further.

Citizens of Denver, I cannot close without expressing the great satisfaction and surprise with which I have witnessed this morning the magnificent commercial developments which have been made here. These streets, these towering, substantial, and stately houses in which your commerce is transacted, place you in the front rank of enterprise. I do not think any city so young can claim so high a place. [Cheers.] I thank you very sincerely for a demonstration which I cannot accept as personal—all this is too great for any man—but as a spontaneous tribute to our free institutions. I accept this as an evidence that in all essential things we are one people. The fuller revelation of that fact to us all has been worth all the labor and time we have mutually expended in this long journey. In all essential things we are one; we divide and strive and debate, but we are patriotic American citizens, having a love for the Constitution and the flag that brings us all at last to submit our opinion to the lawfully expressed wish of the majority. [Cheers.]

And now again good-by. I shall leave behind me every good wish for your prosperity, individually as a municipality and as a State. [Cheers.]

Gentlemen—I cannot fail to respond to such a toast. Indeed, I should be unkind to you and to myself as well if I did not. However, I cannot speak at length in thanking you for the gracious hospitality I have received in Denver. I can truly say my visit has culminated in Denver. For pleasure during my stay here, for perfection in arrangement, for cordiality, and all things which go to make a stop pleasant, Denver has given a climax of enjoyment.

I have the pleasure of testifying to the satisfaction with which the party has spent these few days in the Centennial State. I hope I may have the pleasure of being with you again at some near future time.

I say good-by, and again express our thanks for your hospitality, which has been excelled nowhere on our journey. [Cheers.]