The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-30

brated here in the most populous Of the
states created from the territory which
the Louisiana purchase gave to US. And
how in keeping il is with the character
OF this acquisition, and with Its purpose
and mission, that our celebration should
not waste itself on the pomp and pagan
try that belong to the triumphs and
spoils of war or to the rapacious dis
possessions of ruthless conquest Every
feature of our celebration should re-
mind US that we memorialize a peaceful
acquisition of territory for truly Ameri-
can uses and purposes; and we should
rejoice not only because this acquisition
Immediately gave peace and content
nlent to the spirited and determined
American settlers who demanded an
outlet of trade to the sea, but also be-
cause it provided homes and means Of
livelihood for the millions of new Amer
leans, whose coming tread fell upon the
ears of the expectant fathers of the re-
public, and whose stout hearts and
brawny arms wrought the miracles
which our celebration should interpret
We are here at this hour to dedicate
beautiful and stately edi7ces to the pur-
pose of our comnenoration- But as we
do this, let US remember that the soil
Whereon we stand was a century ago
dedicated TO the genius of American in
dustry and thrift. For every reason,
nothing could be more appropriate as
an important part of the centennial
cOmmemoration we have undertaken,
than the gathering together on this spot
American effort. and which tell the
story of American achievement; ana
how happily Will this be supplemented
and crowned by the generous, naagnani-
nous and instructive contributions from
other and older lands, which standing
side by side with our exhibits, shall
manifest the high and friendly regard
our republic has gained among the gov
ernments of the earth, and shall demon
strate how greatly advancing civiliza-
ton has fostered and stimulated the
brotherhood of nations.
cannot, however, rid myself of the
feeling that the inspiration and value
attending such an exposition may be
anticipated and increased, if on this
ded1catory occasion we promote appro-
pirate reflections by retrospection OF
some of the incidents which accom-
panied the event we celebrate.
We all know that long before the ne
gotiations of the treaty of 1903, our
government had a keen appreciation of
the Importance to American settlers in
the valley of the Mississippi of an ar
rangement permitting their products to
be deposited and exported at the en-
trance of that river to the sea. It will
be remembered that this need of our
settlers had been met in d limited and
not altogether secure manner by
treaty with Spain allowing such deposits
and export to be made. at the city of
New Orleans. This privilege was en-
tirely withdrawn in October, 1902, the
territory appertenant to such privilege
having been in the meantime transfer
red to France The situation thus
created was extremely delicate. There
was presented to the government, on
+ the one hand the injury to western set
i tiers through the loss of their trading
outlet, and on the other the perplexing
question Of affording them relief by
means of diplomatic agreement, or III
some other method. The abandonment
of our settlers to their disheartening
fate was Of course not contemplated
mot J1, =. led hat f1a n
tons plainly pointed to cautious and
deliberate negotiations as the way Of
/ prudence and safety. It very soon be
came apparent. however. that delay
and too much elaboration. did not suit
the temper and spirit Of sturdy Ameri-
cans chatting under a sense of wrong
+ and convinced that they were entitled
to prompt assistance. The inhabitants
of our territory bounding on the east
side of the Mississippi. in a memorial
addressed to the president, senate and
house of representatives, after reciting
their discouraging condition and ex-
pressing their faith in the government S
disposition TO extend the necessary AID,
closed their memorial with these sig
nificant words. And so far as may
depend on ourselves, we tender to our
country, our lives and fortunes in sup
mort of such measures as congress may
deem necessary to vindicate the honor
and protect the interests of the United
States" The settlers in the states west
of the Allegheny mountains also in
memorial to the government clearly
indicating their Impotence and readl-
ness for extreme action. declared that
prompt and decisive measure We're
e necessary. and referred to the maxim
that protection and allegiance are re-
ciprocal, as being particularly applca-
bic to their situation They concluded
their statement with these solemn
words: without interfering in the
measures that have been adopted 10
bring about the amicable arrangement
of A difference which has grown out OF
the gratuitous violation of a solemn
treaty, they desire that the United
States may explicitly understand that
their condition is critical: that the delay
of a single season would be ruinOus to
their country; and that an imperious
necessity may consequently obhge them
if they receive no aid. to adopt them
selves the measures that may appear
+ TO them calculated to protect theI
commerce-even though those measures
should produce consequences unfaNof-
able to the harmony of the confederaoy
These represent atiOns emphasized the
apprehension of those charged with gov
ernmental affairs. that the course OF
deliberate caution and waiting. which
up to that time had appeared to be the
only one permissible. might be lnsufIi-
Gent to meet the situation, ana tha'
whatever the result might be, a more
pronounced position, and more urgent
action should be entered upon. Pres
ident Jefferson wrote to a TREND on TINS
1st of February. 1908: Our elrcum-
stances are so imperious as to admit OF
no delay: as to our course, and the use
of the Mississippi so Indispensable thai
we cannot hesitate one moment e
hazard our existence for its nalnteh-
ancs,' He appointed an additions
envoy to cooperate with our represen-
. tatiye already at the French capital. II
an attempt to obtain a concession ina
would cure the difficulty and IN a com
,,o1,nfca tion to him. after referring e
the excitement caused by the withdraw
al of the right of deposit. he thus char
: acterized the condition which he pc
heved confronted the nation: On the
a.-s,,t of This mission depend the future
. desfinies Of this republic. IF we cannot
bv a purchase of the country, insure
to ourselves course OF perpetua
neaee and friendship with all nations
! - - -: cannot be distant 1t be