Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-03
CHAUTAUOUA'S ASSEMBLY.
An Interesting Lecture on the Northwest
and the Ordinance of 1857.

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.1
CHAUTAUoUA, July 2.-The second day OF
the Chautaudua Assembly was ushered In
with lightning and a heavy rainstorm, but
closed with beautiful sunset The morning
exercises opened with delightful organ re-
ciJal by Prof. J. v. Flagler, Of Auburn, N. T.,
in the amphitheater. 1t was more properly
speaking lecture recital, and covered the
lives and works of the great composers,
Bach, Handel and Haydn, with illustrations
on the organ of some of their masterpieces.
Prof. Flagler entertained his audience most
charmingly and showed himself not only o
finished organist, but also a fine lecturer.
In the afternoon, in the Hall of Philosophy,
Prof. Woodburn, of Indiana State Uni
versity, gave an intensely interes ting and
instructive lecture on s'The Northwest and
the Ordinance of l7S7." This Is continua-
ton to the series Of lectures on American
history, and is being eagerly followed by not
few teachers and students for Chautau-
qua gentleman has offered u nice prize for
the scholar in the lecture series who shall
pass the best examination in the course.
Eager Race for the Prize.
Of course there Is much emulation among
Chautauquans to capture the prize, the first
of the kind ever offered here, and as con-
sequence the study of American history has
never before received so much attention
from the dwellers in "the Summer City"
Prof. WOodburn's lecture was most clear
account of the ordinance of 1857. He showed
how the United States got possession of the
Northwest Territory, that portion lying
west of the Mississippi river north of the
Ohio river and south of the great lakes.
Through Wolfe's victory at Quebec the
English secured it from France, and later
the diplomacy of Adams, Franklin and Jay
included it within the boundaries of the
Union.
The speaker cited authorities to show that
this piece of legislation of l7H should rank
and he regarded as the one of the most inn
portant events since the landing of the Pill
grims.
The Great Influence 1t Exerts.
1t uSerted SO tremendous an influence
upon the Union and nationality that its ef-
fects are seen even to this day in election of
the Presidents of the Republican party from
the same territory, namely, Lincoln, Grant,
Garfield, Hayes and Harrison. By this ordi-
nance the Ohio territory was guaranteed
free soil forever, for neither slavery, nor in
voluntary servitude were to- exist there.
Next religious liberty was guaranteed. Re-
ligion, morality and education were to be
encouraged forever; and lastly, civil liberty,
such as free speech the habeas corpus act,
etc., we're guaranteed. 1t also contained the
American bill of rights from which the first
eight amendments to the Constitution were
afterward taken.
Prot. Woodburn then showed how import
ant this act was by making q comparison
with contiguous States not having the ben
efits of its provisions. He cited Kentucky
and Ohio, both States of the same area, and
showed how Ohio had three times as many
people as Kentucky, according to the census
of 1850; five times as much wealth; three
times as many colleges, and six times as
much money spent in public schools, all ow-
ing to the influence of free labor, free soil,
free men and free schools.
Great Soldiers Furnished by It
Not only did this land, covered by the or
dinance of 1857, give the list of Presidents to
the country above cited, but it furnished
the great war leaders - Grant, Sherman,
Sheridan and Thomas, as well as Chase.
At o'clock the C. L. s. C. Round Table
was organized and began its sessions. This
evening at o'clock Mrs. Charles Waldro
Richards, of Buffalo, the elocutionist, gave
q pleasant entertainment of select readings
in the amphitheater. She was assisted by
Mrs. Jennie Hall Wade, of Brooklyn, the
charming little ballad singer who used to
entertain Mr.. Beechers congregation with
her good singing. Her rendition of Charge
less" was an exceedingly fine effort.
Every train and boat brings scores Of new
arrivals, and already Chautauqua Is begin
ming to fairly hum with activity and life.
The opening of the colleges and teachers re-
treat takes place Saturday, and already the
indications are that the attendance Will be
very large.