IOWA DEDICATION DAY. June 23, 1898. The Iowa Building occupied one of the most central locations in the tract set aside for state buildings. The building faced east and its most prominent feature was a large and commodious porch which afforded an inviting place for visitors during the hot summer days. The exercises were held at the Iowa Building at 2 o'clock P.M. The speakers occupied the wide verandah in front of the center of the building, on which was seated also the Dubuque Choral Club, Governor Leslie M. Shaw, Governor Silas A. Holcomb of Nebraska, former Governor Alvin Saunders, the Members of the Iowa Commission, and several members of the Exposition Executive Committee occupied seats of honor. The large concourse of people gathered in and about the building to hear the exercises, which were of unusual interest. The program was as follows: Overture . . . . Atlantic City Band. Invocation. . . . Rev. L.P. McDonald, Rector St. Paul's Church, Council Bluffs Voluntary . . . . Paul E. Cerutti - Pipe Organ Chorus . . . . The Land We Love Dubuque Oratorio Society. Address . . . . By Governor S.B. Packard Dedication. . . . By Governor Leslie M. Shaw Acceptance. . . . By President Gurdon W. Wattles Music. . . . . Medley Pipe Organ and Band Exposition Ode . . . Composed and read by Major S.H.M. Byers Quartette and Chorus. . Iowa Dubuque Oratorio Society Address . . . . Hon. John N. Baldwin Chorus . . . . Battle Hymn of the Republic Dubuque Oratorio Society Music. . . . . National Airs Band and Organ The address of the Hon. John N. Baldwin, the orator of the day, was in part as follows: As I wandered through the exposition buildings and strolled over these grounds I heard orators proclaiming from the exedra, the plaza and rostrums in state buildings the glories and triumphs of their respective states. One evening after a storm I stood on the bridge of the lagoon but a few feet distant from the spot where only a year ago we laid the cornerstone of this great enterprise, and beholding this might monument to the skills, courage and enterprise of the men of Nebraska, I thought what has Iowa, or what has Iowa done to compare with this. I came Nebraska Day and heard that distinguished citizen of the republic, whose heart in love and tongue tipped with silver eloquently presented the record of the resources and progress of Nebraska; I came Illinois Day and heard the representatives of that great commonwealth give their report of the work and worth of Illinois, concluding with the claim to the undisputed title to the possession of the third greatest commercial center of the world; I imagined that on New York Day Bourke Cochran would so portray the history and glories of the great state of New York that we should all seem to hear the sybils chanting the springtime of the greatest empire on earth. Again I thought, what has Iowa, or what has Iowa done, to compare with all these? Reflecting on all that I had seen and heard and imagined, I venerated my office and would have despaired of my performance had not the power of my subject made me bold in such a presence to plead my thoughts. It would be the drivel of idiocy, unbecoming a gentleman and unworthy of the states, should I on this occasion make any statement not based upon careful investigation and not founded upon incontrovertible facts. I now and here assert, my heart beating with pride at the utterance, that, measured by the standard of religion, education, prosperity, patriotism, liberty, or any great principle or idea that makes men better, nobler, and happier, Iowa, in the union of states, is the peer of all, superior to many and excelled by none. We dedicated today this beautiful building to the uses and purposes of the Transmississippi and International Exposition. It is merely a type of the habitations of our people at the present time. A few feet from here and within your vision stands a wigwam, which has just been opened. It, too, is a type -a type of the habitations of our people fifty-two years ago. You cannot but recognize the significance of the change. The advancement, improvement, and progress of the people of the state of Iowa in education, religion and material interests has been as striking as that in their habitations. This great state with its wondrous destinies is now in the hands of the younger and present generation? It belongs to us to protect, preserve and improve. We must take up the work where the pioneers were compelled to let it go. They placed high the standard. Let us never lower it. Let us look up and listen; look forward and move. Let our every notion be prompted and performed in accordance with that design created by one of the greatest philosophers and poets, "Build thou more stately mansions, Oh my soul, As the swift seasons roll. Let each now temple, nobler than the last, Shut thy view from heaven with a dome more vast, Until at last thou art free, Leaving thy outgrown shell by life's unresting sea." I propose this sentiment: The state of Iowa, with a people possessing affections deeper even than her soil; actuated by purposes broader even than her prairies, and inspired by aims loftier even than her hills, she stands today first in the union of states in general contentment, in more evenly distributed wealth, and in universal prosperity." The exercises were closed by a short address by Governor Silas A. Holcomb, of Nebraska. At the conclusion of the formal program, luncheon was served to the speakers and distinguished guests by the Iowa Commission at the Markel Cafe. At 5:30 P.M. a reception was given in honor of Governor and Mrs. Shaw, at the Iowa building. ______________________ DEDICATION OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY WIGWAM, erected by the city of Council Bluffs. At one o'clock P.M. many citizens of Council Bluffs and other points in Iowa, gathered at the building known as the Pottawattamie County Wigwam, which was a peculiar structure patterned after an immense Indian wigwam. It was dedicated with formal ceremony, which included prayer by Rev. G.W. Snyder of Council Bluffs, and an address by Mayor Victor Jennings of Council Bluffs; an address by Spencer Smith of Council Bluffs; an address by Judge Walter I. Smith of Council Bluffs and music by the Apollo Mandolin Club of Council Bluffs.