Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1865-11-25

souri,, Its Productive and
Commercial Capacity and
Prospective Growth.
The Map Of the World shows certain
geographical points, which, even from the
Creation, were destined to become great
moral, political and commercial centres
and = sufficiently intelligent observer be,
fore the food could have determined as
we'll as now where those centres must be
established. The greater points are those
whore, the commerce Of the land and sea
meet, and with their wealth and strength,
the lesser are of the interior Of countries,
yet usually found, where the commerce Of
rivers and lakes seek transhipmen: over
land or the products of the soil seek
market by water; at all these points the
expenses of transportation, conf missions
upon sales, and .he current expenses Of
those engaged in trade, directly or ,udi-
rectly, build up town, Of size proper
tionate to the business done.
There are no large towns in the world
that do not command the trade Of vast
section Of country, ard any town thus
located is certain to become a great and
powerful city. New York is what ii is
from its location it is not an accident
that it has become the great commercial
centre of North America. Boston, Phila-
delpbia, Baltimore, New Orleans, Chicago,
St. Louis, Cincinnati, Detroi. and Buffalo,
oil owe their Importance to the fact Of
their location in the current of trade, and
the flourishing cities upon the Mississippi
ore all located where the products of the
interior naturally seek a market.
Commerce, like nature, is governed by
fixed laws; grea. fortunes ere made by
those who discover the operation of those
laws, aud act upon that superior inteli-
geuce. John Jacob Astor, who amassed
the most colossal fortune upon this con.
tinent. was in bis way philosopher
singular compound Of liber slity and mean
ness; yet he always acted upon tho prin-
oiple that New York vas destined TO be
the great city it has become, and tia. this
Government was to be the most enduring
on earth-therefore for many years his
profits were annually invested in lots in
New York City, and stocks Of New York
State and the Federal Government.
We have a right to judge of the future
by the past; it is an old and true saying,
"What man has doae man can do" The
same general laws which govern trade in
the Eastern States and in the valley Of
the "Fa:her of Waters also control it
here in the valley OF the Upper Missouri,
just opening TO civilization aud commerce,
and in selecting a subject upon which to
address you upon this occasion, it occurred
to my mind that the subject have chosen
would be Of more practical interest to the
people OF the pioneer town Of the Great
Northwest than any othor,-and only
regret my inability to present it to this
Association in such manner as to i'm
press you fully with its magnitude, aud
also to call your attention successfully
and efectually to the duties you owe -
the immense extent Of couatry above you,
what that country may become in great
measure through your influence, and the
reward you may expect from The faithful
performance Of your duties in this regard.
On The Goth day of August, 1894, sixty
one years ago, the FIRST regularly organ-
lied party for the exploration Of the valley
of the Mis- souri, reached this point. This
expedition under the command Of Capt's
Lewis and Clark was organized By he
Government at the suggestion of President
Jefferson, and consisted of ken,uckians,
IA Soldiers of the army, French boat
men, l interpreter, hunter, aud negro
servant-tho irrepressble negro being
then as Indispensable as now. 4 corporal,
6 soldiers, and boatmen were also engage
ed to proceed as far as the Mandan nation,
making with Messrs. Lewis and Clark in
oil 46 men. This party left their encanp-
ment upon the Mississippi upon the l4th
Of May in three boats, provided with
sails and oars,-were amply supplied with
oil necessary stores, ammunition and
presents for the Indians. The current of
the Big Muddy was as rapid then as now.
Their progress was tedious and laborious,
and they we're much delayed by councils
and negotiations with the Indians who
viewed the enterprise with great suspi-
cion. You are oil familiar, doubtless,
With the history Of their perilous edven-
lures up this river 10 its bead waters
thence across to the Columbia, aud onward
10 the Pacific, returning again by the same
route to the States. recollect with VIA,
wonder and delight l read when boy the
travels Of Lewis and Clark. little .ho't
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