Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-03-07
LEWIS and CLARK centennial
BY JAMES A. EMMONS

The sands of a century are fast spend
ing. The hour and the day is at hand
for Bismarck and North Dakota to be-
gin preparations fol- the celebration of
the intrepid explorers sent out by Presi-
dent Jefferson in 1904, to examine the
northwest portion of the great Louisiana
purchase. The names of Lewis and
Clark. will be celebrated in all parts of
the great domain which now forms the
richest states of the republic. In fact,
Merriwetner Lewis was the original and
first American governor of what is now
North Dakota. This brilliant man while
in office was murdered while travelling
in line of duty by a hirelinc or tavern
keeper at a lonely wayside-now Lewis
county, Tennessee-where a beautiful
monument marks his resting place.
In the exploration the journey made
by Lewis and Clark had immensely
greater consequences than followed from
the wanderings of Cabeza de Vacca, the
Spaniard, or the foray of the Canadians
into the wilderness. 1t was part of q
program of exploration which Mr.. Jetfer-
son, its author, had entertained ever
since he was the country's minister to
France, a score of years earlier, long be-
fore the regions traversed by these
sturdy Americans became United States
territory. Mr.. Jefferson wanted to learn
something about the physical condition
of the country between the Missouri,
Mississippi and the Pacific-to ascertain
the tribes of Indians who dwell In it,
and to endeavor to secure their trade
and friendship for his countrymen. At
the time, indeed, in the early months of
1903, when the exploration project first
took practical shape, the territory which
these explorers travelled was still alien.
The deals and trades between Spain and
France to thwart England kept in doubt
the real owner or claimant of Louisina.
But Napoleon became restless, complica-
tons with the greedy Briton foreshad-
owed war. He sold for a song-an am
pire of country, as he said, to aid in
building up a great western republic
that would always be a rival to cruel
England.
Lewis and Clark's journey up the Mis-
souri, and down the Columbia to the Pa
cifc which began in the spring of 1904
a few months after Louisiana came into
possession of the United States, which
occupied two years in its completion, and
which was successful in every particular.
What it's protector had in mind, was the
means of making Americas wonderland
west of the Mississippi for the first time
known to the world. wonderland"
edited by Olin D.. Wheeler, and issued by
Mr.. Chas. S. Fee of the Northern Pacific
we find a correct brief of the great ex-
ploration. See wonderland" of 1900,
page %. There can be found the date
October 81, 1904, the spot where now
stands Bismarck was reached by Lewis
and Clark. Therefore October or mid
September to October, North Dakota
should celebrate the centennial of the
explorers with an exposition. At the
time Lewis and Clark were in the country
it wa teeming with life, it supported a
vast population of aborignees and buf
falo and other wild animals by the mill
ions. Truly Mr.. Jefferson and the great
explorers were right in their prophesies
for the future of the Louisiana purchase.
The country along the Missouri along
the lines of the Northern Pacific are
scarce touched as to their possibilities
or advantages in producing-the very
cream of earth, that sustains mankind.
The pioneer is restless; his hands are
not to be callused as long as there is any
avenue Of trade or traffic. Sometimes
the immoral condition of settlements re-
tard growth. Saloon buns and political
tramps hold for a time, but a time m
when christian, law-abiding Americans
take hold. Then the country takes on
it's substantial, permanent growth.
That time is at hand along the Northern
Pacific railroad. Bismarck must cele-
brate with an exposition that will be a
credit to the energy of her people and
North Dakota. The mighty system of
railroads that criss-cross and run from
the great lakes to the Pacific will render
all the aid required. Beginning in Aug
ust or September or six months hence if
need be-. Let there be a memorial cen
tennial mark of the great men who ex-
plored a Wonderland"
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