Michigan historical collections. [Vol. 17]

ALLEGAN COUNTY COURT HOUSE.53

539

Grand Lodge.
Kni hts of Pythias.
18dd Fellows.
Hopkins Band.
German Workingmen's Society.
Grand Army.
Sons of Veterans.
Citizens in carriages.
The line of march was on Chestnut to Trowbridge, up Trowbridge
to Locust, on Locust to Brady, thence to State, up State to Water, up
Water to Hubbard and thence to court house square.
The exercises were opened by a piece of music by the Monterey
band, A~fter which Rev. " Father" Bliss-the pioneer minister-invoked
the blessing of God on the undertaking.
Mayor Hannibal Hart was then introduced and welcomed the assembly as follows:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is my very pleasant duty, as representing the village of
Allegan and' speaking in behalf of our citizens, to welcome you
here today, to take part in and witness the ceremonies of laying the
corner stone of this new court house. We would have been glad to
welcome you bWfore; the fact is we have long been waiting
to greet you with the new court house, and I can assure you that
you have today the hearty welcome of every man, woman and 'child
in the village of Allegan. We are not only happy to meet you for
the social pleasure your presence gives us, but, as well, for the fact
that you are here to assist in an act that you will look back to with
pride; namely, the laying of the corner stone to Allegran county's
court house.
The prouLd city of Rome welcomed her generals on their victorious return from the conquest of some distant tribe or nationa and
heaped upon them honors for their success in war. Yours today is
the welcome of peace for the conquests of peace. "Peace hath her
victories, no less renowned than war." We welcome, as well and as
sincerely today those who voted against the court house as those who
voted for it, for we know you are as glad as any of us that it is
being built. We very much needed a new court house for we. had no
decent place to hold court in.
It was once the proudest boast of man, that he could call himself
a Roman citizen. I am proud today to be a citizen of the goodly State
of Michigan, and of the fairest spot in this State-the county of Allegan; but I must say that, heretofore when I have met strangers in