Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-03-29
Mr.. SHAW's LECTURE.
The StrugRle for a Continent.

Mr.. sHAW's LECTURE.
1.-THE Struggle for a Continent"
Those among US who desire an accurate
knowledge of History, ought to be
especially grateful to Mr.. Shaw for his
selection of this subject. The events of
that critical period are so far over
Swallowed by those of later date, that
they need to be brought forward and set
in the strong light Of consequences, in
order to be justly apprchended. This
the lecture has done for us-puoducing
an impression TOO vivid to be easily
ctfaced.
The maps, which held before our eyes
the position and claims Of the contend
ing parties, were invaluable in giving
form aud size to our vague ideas of ter.
ritory. Failing in repeated attempts to
procure such maps abroad, Mr.. Shaw
took the pains TO have them prepared at
home, under his own direction. One
represented New France and New Eng
land, with cots indicating the French
forts; the other North America, divided
into colored sections representing the
portions claimed respectively by France,
England. and Spain. They were very
creditably drawn and colored by Hatred
Oleson, one of the high sch"ol pupils.
1t is impossible for us to reproduce the
language Of the lecture. We can do no
more than TO briefly outline its substance.
Two hundred years ago, as We were
shown, the shore Of North America ap.
propriated by France was five times as
large as that held by England. The con-
tlicling grants and charters by which the
sovereigns Of each pretended 10 parcel
out the new world as it pleased them,
were briefly touched upon. Each claimed
the right to do this by virtue Of discovery
and occupation. While the English col
onisls on the Atlantic coast were loiling
manfully at the foundations Of perma
nent institutions, knowing nothing of
the land that lay beyond them, the
French, inspired by the love Of adven.
ture and the dream of great empire,
were exploring the mighty rivers aud the
great lakes OF the west, aud taking pos
session in the name of France and of the
church. A glowing and generous trib-
ute was paid by The lecturer 10 the in
,repidity, the endurance, and The religious
zeal OF these early vnyagers. He also
pointed out the advantages thus secured
i'll behalf Of France. Quick 10 discern
the keys to important positions, she held
Lnuisburg, Niagara and the great rivers
Of the west, by strong and we'll provided
forts. Her relations with the Indians
We're at first SO managed as TO make them
friends and allies. And while England
the heavy hand of oppressive restrictions,
France aided and pa,ronizcd hers with
no small outlay Of men and money.
BY few touches Of apt characterized
ton, the Protestant settlers on the Eng-
lish claims were marshalled before US,
in their various nati0nali,ies, and then
solidiy grouped upon the grand basis Of
the ends for which they had c ,me hither
Underlying all minor impulses, was the
great principles OF liberty. As a com
parison picture, we saw the brilliant, en-
thusiastic Frenchman, 10 whom long
years Of subsection to the idea Of abso-
Iutism had etfectually suppressed ell
craving for his own true rights, and all
just sense of the rights Of others.
The pivotal point IN the struggle was
indicated in the relations of the French
with the Ir"quols. Its progress through
a succession of years, carried on BY force
OF arms, by diplomacy, by treaty, and by
purchase, was graphically depicted.
THe hidden sources of strength and
weakness on both sides were forcibly
uggested, and the filal result in favor of
The Anglo-Snxens was shown To have
been the inevitable Mastery OF right ideas.
These same principles which estab.
lished English dominion in America,
were traced still farther, as leading to its
overthrow in The war Of the revolution.
Incidental advantages in the prosecution
ii this later struggle were gained from
the experience Of the first.
Rehearsing the marvellous growth of
the nation, in the past, as shown by the
census returns 10 each decade, The speak.
er then ran rapidly over the probable
figures of the .uturc, am. closed with
some very striking suggestions as to the
possibilities in store for those who shall
come after US.
Our imperfect sketch is far from doing
justice to the style or manner Of THIS ad.
mirnble lecture. Mr.. Shaw's hafits OF
historical research enable him to cast
many brilliant side-lights upon events
otherwise obscure.
We hope that larger public than ours
may 10 some way receive the benefit OF
the pains he has bestowed in this direc-
lion.
IT'S more brave to live than to die"
Therefore don't walt till a slight cough
develops itself into consumption, but Sc