Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-01

hiessii1rs of freedom and self govern.
| ment" in multitudes greater than eyer
Jefferson would have dared TO t tIre,a -,
| the purpose, of giving details OF the de
lvelopment OF the territory acquired under
| the treaty we commemorate. l nave re-
ferred to such development in some OF lts
general features. by way OF suggesting
how distinctly the century just ended
gives assurance of a startling and super
abundant final fulfllment of the prophe
| The supreme Importance of the Louisi
ana purchase and it's value as national
f when Tsnry seen snd IN rht
of it's present and prospective effects ana
judged solely by Its palpable and indie
pendent merits. cannot be better charac-
lowing language. from the pen of brilli-
ant American historian: THE annexa-
ton of Louisiana was an event so porten-
tous as to defy measurement, 1t gave. q
new face to politics, and ranked in his
torical Importance next to the Declaration
of Independence and the adoption of the
logical outcome. But as a matter Of d.
plomacy, it was unparalleled because 1t
cost almost nothing
| How fitting on every ground it is that
should be joyously and appropriately cele-
hrated. and that it should be celebrated
here in the most populous of the states
| created from the territory which /. the
Louisiana purchase gave to us. And how
in keeping it is with the character of this
ACQUISITION, and with its purpose and mis-
sion, that our celebration should not
waste itself on the pomp and pagantry
| that belong to the triumphs and spols of
war or to the rapacious dispossesssions OF
sboad 1s5y M tbn S
morialiZe peaceful acquisition of terri
tory for truly American uses and pur-
poses; and we should hejoice not only be-
| cause this acquisition Immediately gave
peace and contentment to the spirited and
determined American settlers who de-
manded an outlet of trade to the sea, but
also because it provided homes and means
of livelihood for the millions Of new
Americans, whose coming tread fell upon
the ears of the expectant fathers of the
republic. and whose stout hearts and
brawny arms wrought the miracles which
our celebration should interpret.
We are here at this hour to dedicate
pose of our commemoration, But as We
10 this. let us remember that the soil
wherein We stand was century ago dedi-
Gated to the Genius of American industry
and thrift For every reason, nothing
could be more appropriate as an import
ant part of the Centennial commemora-
ton we have undertaken 1ts than the gath
that are characteristic of American effort,
and which tell the story of American
achievement; and how happily will this
be supplemented and crowned by the gen.
erous, magnaminious and instructive con-
tributions from other and older lands.
which standing side by side with our ex-
hibits, shall manifest the high and friend
ly regard our republic has gained among
the governments of the earth, and shall
demonstrate how greatly. advancing civil
lizatfon has fostered and stimulated the
brotherhood of nations.
I cannot. however, rid myself of the feel
ing that the inspiration and value attend
ing such an exposition may be anticipated
and increased, if on this dedicatory &C.
casion we promote appropriate reflections
by retrospection of some of the incidents
which accompanied the event We cele-
brated 49, E., s..
We. all know that long before the ne
gotiations of the treaty of 1903 our gov
ernment had a keen appreciation of the
Valley of the Mississippi of an arrange
ment permitting their products to be de-
posted and 'xp rt"d at the entrance OF
that river to the sea It will be remem,
been met in limited and not altogether
secure manner by a treaty with Spain,
allowing such deposits and exports to e., be
privilege was entirely withdrawn in Octo-
Der 1902, the territory appertenant to such
privileges having been in the meantime
created was. extremely delicate. There
was presented to the government OH the
one hand the injury to Western settlers
and on the other the perpleNing question
Of affording them relief by means of diplo-
matte ragreement, or in some other method.
L
disheartening fate was of course not con-
templated.
1t cannot be denied that the conditions
Negotiations as the way Of prudence and
safety. 1t very soon became apparent,
however. that delay and too much deliber-
alton, did not suit the temper and spirit
spirit of sturdy Americans chatting under
sense of wrong and convinced that they
were entitled to prompt assistance. The
no CT S.iAn of MiCSScipni N
mortal addressed to the President, Senate
and House of Representatives., after re-
citing their discouraging condition and
expressing their faith in the governments
disposition to extend the necessary aid.
closed their memorial with these signifi-
cant words: land so far as may depend
on ourselves, We tender our country, our
lives and fortunes in support OF such
measures as. Congress may deem neces-
sary to vindicate the honor and protect
the interests of the limited States" The
settlers in the states west of the Allie
ghany Mountains also in a memorial to
the government clearly indicating their
inipatience and readiness for extreme ac-
ton, declared that prompt and decisive
measures were necessary, and referred to
the maxim that protection and allegiance
are reciprocal, as being particularly APP
plicable to their experience. They con-
cludcd their statement with these solemn
words: without interfering in the
measures that have been adopted to bring
about the amicable arrangement of a diff
ference which has grown out of the
gratuitous violation of a solemn treaty,
they desire that the United States may OK
plicitly understand that their condition is
critical; that the delay of a single season
would be r,nous to their country: and
that an imperious necessity man conse-
uuently oblige them, If they receive no aid.
to adopt themselves, the measures that
may appear to them calculated to protect
their commerce even though though those
measures should produce consequences
unfa, orable to the harmony of the Con-
federacy."
These representations emphasized the
apprehension of those charged with gov
ernmental affairs, that the course of de
iiberate caution and waiting which up to
that time had appeared to be the only one
permissible, might be insufficient to meet
the situation; and that whatever the re-
suit might be. more pronounced position.
and more argent action should be entered
upon. President Jefferson wrote to
friend on the LIST of February, 1903: Our
circumstances are so imperious as to ad-
init of no delay; as to our course. and the
use of the Mississippi so Indispensable
that we cannot hesitate one moment to