The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-07-09
n fftrm atfue

is that the agency which ushered our
country into existence for civilization
should be regarded as the greatest
benefit to America.
My opponent may ignore the explor-
ers, or deal out unbasic assertions
which can only appear to you as fool
ish castlgations hurled at the long de-
parted Columbus, John Cabot, Ameri-
Gus Vespucius, and their followers
those brave men who periled their lives
bringing our nation to the notice of
They sailed the high seas
in crude boats, propelled by oars aud
sails, and hazarding their lives brought
America into juxtaposition with the
then known world. They gsve Amer
ica q name-and the nations BIRTH
right, it's place in history, and its as
cension among nations is due primarily,
principally, to sailing ships. Now,
where can we find factor that has
contributed more to our nation than
the ships that, carrying the flags of
foreign lands, which, being planted in
this once unknown land, has occasion
ed such a transformation as the sub
sequent converting of wilderness into
q national paradise? NOwherel Nor
can you direct attention to anything
that has been more beneficial to this
country than ships.
H.-iae logically decided this nations
Indebtedness to sailing vessels for its
discovery-existence on the civilized
worlds map-let US proceed to con-
slider the means which opened up this
vast land to civilization.
With the landing of the Pilgrims on
bleak New Engiand's shore, in 1907, the
opening up of America may properly
be said to have began. Necessity
prompted the Pilgrims to traffic with
the red men. 70 do so it became
necessary to visit the Indian settle.
ments, and thus small boats contrib
uted toward alleviatiEg the lot and
needs of the white settlers. by the
use of small boats the Pilgrims were
enabled to obtain the means of susie
nance and thereby foster the begin
ming of the opening up of land where
all men should enjoy like privileges
and equality.
But we cannot pause with the Pll
grims, for here, in mental vision, we SCI
ship after ship leaving European shores
pl-brave men striking out to plant sth'
flags of foreign countries III the Ameri
can wilderness, claiming territory 10
their native lands, and thus dividing
America Into principalitles subservien
to foreign domination. "a fact tina
subsequently played revoiting par
in national history.) Again, we men
tally note men, women and children
bidding adieu to fatherlands to endur
the perilous ocean voyage and, follow
, ing the trails of explorers, finally set
| tling in the New World. Hence follow
ed the progress of settlements. Ship
carried the surplus products across tn
ocean bringing back necessities. In
! few words, it was ships-ships! tina
: promoted the growth and progress o
/: the settlements.
,I While the settlements grew and.pros
: pered brave men were exploring inlant
Who has not heard of De Soto's 81
pIoits
j, I'm the realm of flowers, perfumed land,
+ Girt by the sea, by soft winds fanned?"
!, OF Joliet, Marquette, and La Sale e,
Q ploring the Mississippi River2 Fathe
!; Hennepin entering Minnesota; Mon
: gomery Pike penetrating Colorad,
b | Rogers Clark rowing up the Missou
, River, exploring the Northwest? Thot
8 brave men, and many others. explore
= various parts of the then wilderness
: Leaving the impress of Christianity
9 emblem, acting as forerunners Of civ
r lizing agencies, and practically opene
, up trails over which hundreds of othel
Il laocked westward. BY what mear
vi was this opening up of America
ii wilderness accomplished By the ul