THE EARLY SETTLERS' ANNIVERSARY. =1881. The Association celebrated the day at the Tabernacle, Ontario street, Cleveland, July 22, 1881. In accordance with the programme, it was understood that the forenoon session would be devoted chiefly to the transaction of the annual business of the Association, such as reading the journal, hearing official reports, receiving new memberships, and electing officers for the ensuing year, followed with a free lunch or collation, and that the afternoon session would be open to the public, generally, and its exercises consist of written addresses, songs, and volunteer speeches. At the hour appointed (11 o'clock A. M.) the early settlers, in large numbers, convened at the Tabernacle with evident pleasure beaming in their faces, and with frequent interchanges of salutations with each other on the score of "old acquaintance." The venerable assemblage was called to order by Hon. Harvey Rice, President of the Association, who opened the session with the following preliminary and congratulatory remarks: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE ASSOCIATION: Allow me to congratulate you on this happy occasion-the second anniversary of our Association. It is, indeed, an occasion that calls not only for mutual congratulations, but for expressions of gratitude to Him who has granted "length of days" to so many of us, and given us once more an opportunity to greet the "old familiar faces" of our earlier years, and grasp the hands of old friends, long-tried and true. The day which "we celebrate" as the anniversary of our Association, has been permanently adopted on account of its historical interest in reference to the pioneer life of the Western Reserve. It was on the 22d day of July, 1796, that General Moses Cleaveland, with his staff of assistant surveyors, landed at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, ascended its eastern bluff, and gazing with delight on the beauty of the scene, predicted that here was the spot where, at no distant day, a great commercial city would spring into existence. He at once ordered this elevated plateau to be surveyed into city lots. His staff baptized the infant city and gave it the name of "Cleveland," in honor of their chief. This occurred just eighty-five years ago, and now that predicted city has grown to the dimensions of a great commercial emporium, containing a population of 170,000 souls. Verily, this "Moses" of 1796 was a true prophet. Though he has not been honored in his own country as such, the time has now come, as it seems to me, when a suitable statue of bronze or granite should be erected to his memory in our public park, as proposed in the action already taken by our Association. The project is worthy of commendation, and it is to be hoped that the citizens of Cleveland will generally approve the enterprise and aid in contributing to its success. The age in which we live is inquisitive. It aspires to know "all things." It sees in the future what it desires to achieve, and exacts from the past a surrender of its relics and golden memories. Our Association partakes somewhat of the spirit of the age, especially so far as regards the relics and golden memories of pioneer life in the Western Reserve. These we desire to gather while we can, and before they are forever lost. It is therefore requested that every member of our Associa tion should contribute what he can to this end. If he has interesting relics of the early times, and is willing to bestow them, he can deposit them at any time with our secretary. If he has recollections of incidents, anecdotes, or other matter of historical value pertaining to pioneer life, he can jot them down in writing, and send or deliver his manuscript to the secretary as material for use or reference. It is only from living lips that this kind of information can be obtained. Let us then be up and doing while the "day lasts," and thus leave behind us, as Longfellow has beautifully said: "Footprints, that perhaps another, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again." There will always exist a class of early settlers in every generation who will leave behind them peculiar characteristics and reminiscences, which every successive generation will take pleasure in gathering and preserving. Hence it may be inferred that our Association has the vital elements of perpetuating itself. Its character is such that while it achieves a noble work, it renews early friendship, and shares a social enjoyment which is truly delightful as well as morally elevating. In addition to this, it publishes, in pamphlet, its annual proceedings for the use of its members, and thus secures a lasting record. Both ladies and gentlemen who have resided forty years in the Western Reserve, and are citizens of Cuyahoga county, are alike eligible as members of our Association, on payment of one dollar to the treasurer. New members are cordially invited, with the assurance that all who choose to unite with us will be received with the "right hand of fellowship." In a word, our fraternity is organized for a gener ́ous purpose, and especially for the social enjoyment its opportunities afford. In the venerable assemblage I see before me I recognize many who are crowned with the silvery honors of age, stand ing, as it were, on the borders of life's battlefield, like a remnant of veterans who have heroically fought their way in the world thus far, and are now pausing to recall to mind the hundreds of their early companions who stood side by side with them, but have long since fallen in their armor on the fieldcompanions who were companions in the strife, and who have left behind them a noble, though unwritten, record. It is a just and reliable account of the brave, enduring and persevering men and women of the early times that we wish to procure and preserve as a legacy to the generations who will follow us. In thus honoring the memories of our departed pioneers and early settlers, we not only honor ourselves, but confer a public benefit which will be, in after years if not now, gratefully appreciated. Though the frost of age has silvered our heads, still let us resolve to live on, acting well our part, still keeping on the sunny side of life, enjoying its blessings and its pleasures, and cheering each other with the rehearsal of its drama and its musical interludes, until the approaching sunset shall throw its deepening shadows about us, and we shall pass to a brighter and holier sphere. THE JOURNAL. The journal of the last meeting was next read and approved. Official reports for the last year were then called for as next in order. REPORT OF THE TREASURER. George C. Dodge, the treasurer, reported that financially we are not wealthy, and the amount of money in the treasury need cause no apprehension of a defalcation. This Associasion is iron-clad. It provides in its constitution that no officer or member can contract any debt; and, secondly, that |