The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-10-26
Tuesday, Oct. rs, 1886.
EDUCATIONAL.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.

|Jeferson's life, and to that part of
Ibis administration, in which the
master-mind was to make another
stroke Of diplomacy that was bril-
|liant, to say the least, and of incal-
|culable benefit to the future benefit
of our country. Jefferson had rem
dered his country yeoman aid, hut
his former acts of service were to
pale into insignificance when COM
.pared with
THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
This vast territory was an en-
pire. of itself, and held all the great
rivers of the continent. It's pur-
chase brought great wealth, power
and prestige to the Union, and really
raised us from a weak, feeble nation,
TO recognized power. 1t is even
doubted by many prominent histo-
fians as to whether the independ-
ence so nobly fought for and OBJ
tained, would have been preserved
without the territory of Louisiana.
AT this time France and England
were making preparations for a war
that was expected to extend to the
colonies. England's navy was in
good fighting trim while that of
France was decidedly weak. The
lavy of the former would have found
10 trouble in Wrestling from France
Ill the colonies in her possession,
ust as she had in previous wars, OBJ
ained the Canadas, Cape Breton and
Pther valuable possessions. Had
his change actually taken place,
England would have had colonies on
three land-sides of the Union, while
Ter navy falways formidable could
ave dictated terms on the ocean
ide. 1t is easy to see, that, hemmed
b in this manner, the Union would
lave had no opportunity or encour-
cement for growth, and it would
Probably have been only question
f short time, when the Union, thus
ontracted and hampered, would
ave gladly sued for terms from the
oyernment of Britain. But with
er military position thus strength
ned, she could bid defiance to any
breign power. Bonaparte saw this
nd knew what he was doing when
e agreed to relinquish the territory.
e knew that if his government at
mpted to hold it, England would
bon become the possessor, and he
fnitely preferred to strengthen any
ther nation than to aid in making
ronger nation of people whom he
oked upon as mortal enemies, and
Ith whom he was on the eve of a
ar.
When intelligence reached him of
e warlike preparations of the En-
ish in 1903, he conferred with two
his ministers .and most trusted
yisers and during the consultation
lid:
ST know the full value of Louisi-
IA, and have been desirous of re-
iring the fault of the French ne
tiators who lost it in 1853. In
63 at the close of the Seven Years
ar, through the carelessness of the
ehch, Louisiana was allowed to
come an English possession.
pe English wish possession of it,
d it is thus they will begin the
r. They have already twenty
lips Of the line in the Gulf of Mex
*The conquest of Louisiana
uld be easy. / have not moment
lose in putting it out of their
ch. : The English have sue
peessiyely taken from France, the
nadas, Cape Breton, Newfound-
ID, Nova Scotia, and the richest
rtions Of Asia. But they shall
hare the Mississippi mhich they
;et.''
His advisers were unable to give
unaniInity Of advice; one was
holding the territory; the other
reed with the First Consul in say
that it should be ceded quietly
her than allow its capture by thei
glish. The interview that night
minated with nothing definitely
tied.
The next morning Bonaparte re-
we'd dispatches which warned him
the further warlike preparations
the English and then decided the
katious question by exclaiming:
1rresolution and deliberation are
longer in season. / renounce
lisiana. 1t is not only New Or
ms that / will cede; it is the
ole colony without reservation. I
bw the value of what / abandon
renounee it with the gravest re-
t. To attempt obstinately to re-
q it would be folly. / direct you
negotiate this affair with the en-
of the United States. Have an
cryiew with him this very day.
/ require q great deal of money
Louisiana. l will he moderate.
ant fifty millions for Louisiana"
When his decision was announced.
minister who opposed the ces-
remarked that probably the
pie of the territory would object