Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-18

will be some compensation to you, for your
loyal and self-sacrifcing efforts.
However, / imagine the real reason for
choosing representative from Iowa 10
sreak on this occasion is because the state,
together with others west of the Missis-
sippi, is celebrating centennial birth-date
which commentaries an event of supreme
Significance in the history of our country.
In fact. it is the event which secured to
the nation it's first real independence.
IF our frontier had remained on the
eastern bank of the Mississippi. where 1t
was carried in the final adjustment or our
revolutionary struggles. instead of being
transferred first across the Rocky noun
tains then on to the Pacific coast. an at
titude of defense would have been the only
alternative.
Clashing of Authority Possible.
with a totally different system of gov
eminent the presence of any foreign power
on the opposite side of the river would have
been a constant source of irritation, as well
as a menace. Add to this the inevitable
clasning of authority over the use and con-
troll Of the river. the only thoroughfare for
travel and traffic on either side, and 1t Is
easy to understand that warlike outbreaks
would have been an ever recurring posi-
bility.
Connected with the purchase Of LOUISE
ana, transaction which more than doubled
our domain, there is q rich vein of histor1-
cal wealth, which. until the present occa-
sion, has been but specifically exploited.
ITO the average person dozen years ago
the story of the Lewis and Clarke expedi-
ton was little more than a myth, while all
that was generally known of the transac-
ton which gave birth to it could be COM
pressed into very few sentences.
The real historian of this period is still
to appear If he would write acceptaby he
must be both fearless and honest. for he
will find that much that has been said falls
within Napoleon's definition of history,
Fables agreed upon
Even what may be termed contempora-
neous history shows no breadth Of view or
clarity of expression, while the deductions
are many times altogether faulty.
THE scenes In the drama of this great
international real estate deal to be delin-
Gated shifted from a threatened clash Of
arms on the lower Mississippi to q verbal
clash In the halls OF Congress: thence
across the ocean to Paris, with Napo-
leon the chief actor; back to Con-
gress again, with another and more bitter
of words; then out and across the river.
with the final Incorporation into the fed
eral scheme of trackiess wilderness.
STYLED by Webster in his day as the land
ofhe savage, the sage brush and the
coyote. Besides. there are the numerous
claimants for honors, to each of whom
should be awarded his just need Of praise
The historian who would do full justice
to this complex theme should approach it
on his knees, as Fra Angelica painted his
masterpiece.
line subject Is TOO vast IOF more imam
briefest mention here, yet 1 may say that
these centennial epochs serve to remind US
that our national story is intensely inter-
esting. even marvellous. Touched with the
illuminate genius of a Macaulay, and 1t
would be as fascinating as any old world
history, and / mean by this no diSparage
ment to our Bancrofts, our Parkmans or
our Fishes.
Invitation to st. Louis expo"
Il trust that 1 will be pardoned If I as
sumo for a moment the prerogatives Of
hostess and extend to each and all cor
dial invitation to come to St Louis to our
exposition. the magnitude and magnif1cence
of which / shall not attempt to speak Of
Come and help us to celebrate the anniyer-
sary Of an event which in the annals of our
common country is second in Importance
only to the esta bishment of indepen-
dence. Especially would speak for very
general attendance Of Daughters day.
These periods have been found useful,
too, In promoting patriotic reviyals. The
present one affords specially opportune
moment to do homage to the memory of
Thomas Jefferson. man whose whole life
was consecrated to the building UP of a
nation. with liberty and equality as the
corner stone.
For centuries before his time men bowed
in abject submission before kings and pa
tomatoes. The Incompatible message of
freedom which stirred to open revolt a
handful of English colonists In the new
world has carried hope and inspiration to