The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1904-08-12
GOYERNOR,S PROCLAMATION.

Never in the history of any nation body of land
acquired by conquest purchase or otherwise, which has
been of more Importance and richer in results to cyi
zaton than that great western empire stretching from
the Father of Waters to the Pacific known only re-
niotely at one time as the Louisiana Country.
Once the worlds highest civilization centered be
tween the rugged cliffs and around the pyramids that
rear their grim heads above the yaleyof the Nile, but
the course Of empire has moved westward and today
the highest civilization that the world has ever known is
represented in the scenes of upendous activity now wit
messed in the great Mississippi valley.
The United States although not the cradle of civil
izaton is representative of the suryivalof the test
the best thought the best energies the highest ideals
the accumulatiye genius of the centuries and the Mis-
sisppi valley represents the greatest possibilities of the
United States.
Only a little more than one hundred years ago the
country between the Great River and the called
Louisiana was untraversed by the footprints Of civiza
tion and practically unknown Now that same country
lis the center of attraction for the world Upon the very
soil reclaimed from barbarsm BY the heroism Of Lewis
and Clark and that sturdy host pioneers that followed
Them the greatest worlds event in the history Of
tions is trafspring. The progress Of the ages is
manifested in the Worlds Fairat St Louis Missouri
The civilization which has survived the wreck Of time
throughout the world nowon exhibition within the
the old and the new placed side by side the relics of the
ancient glory Of the Nile with the modern wonders and
greatness OF the Mississippi
THE individual states of the purchase exerting
themselves in every conceivable way to show the
derfu resources and possibilities Of that historic domain
Of which they form part. Last in organization, but
not least in Importance Oklahoma stands among the
commonweaths carved out of the Louisiana Purchase.
Her rapid development has been unequaled in the his
tory statebuidng Those who have heretofore been
unacquaned with her magnifcence but have witnessed
the exhibition of er resources and wonderful develop
ment the Worlds Fair have maryeled at her great
ness
Oklahoma has secured September sixth, 1904 as day
to be set apart by the Worlds Fair management espec-
tally for her benefit.
Many years ago while Lewis and Clark were pushing
their way across the continent from the banks of the
Great River to the slope where rolls the Oregon, Con-
gress was dreaming of plan to found an Indian empire
beyond the Mississippi where the Indians could estab-
lish themselves free from the white intrusion and
build state in which they could in their way,
restrained and unmoesed solve by degrees the prob
lems of citizenship and government the land thus set
apart to be known as the Indian Territory To this new
empire the Indians transferred by the
Thher without waiting for the formality of an invita-
ton the white transferred himself anxious to as
sst the Indian in solving the problem of government
and citizenship in the Mississippi Indian Empire
After the varied experiences of many years it seems that
the problem has been solved The indications are that
in the distant ture the Indian Territory with its
great and wonderful possibilities will be Joined
with Oklahoma in state which in richness Of soil d.
versity and wealth of resources will be second to no
other state in the Mississippi Valley
Therefore, / most cordially invite and earnestly re-
the citizens Of Oklahoma in celebrating Oklahoma Day
T. B. FERGUSON Governor