Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-14
STATES PLACE IN HISTORY
John Lee Webster Reoounts Some Of
the Romance Of Nebrasks's
Long Descent.
PLEA FOR PIONEERS MEMORY

LINCOLN. Jan. 12-(speciall-At the
meeting Of the Nebraska state Historical
society tonight, John lee Webster OF
Omaha gave his annual address, his sub
iect being The Romance Of Nebraska
History Mr. Wcbsters paper was an
unusual treatment OF a very fascinating
topic In his opening sentences lie said.
There were many incidents In the
early history of Nebraska that are as
romantic as the stories OF the Arabian
Nights. There were adventures as thrill
ing as anything written by Cervantes or
Rabela!s. And there were scenes as in
tcresting and pathetic Ms the daring and
tragic happenings recited in the history
Of the Crusaders"
Indian Treaty with spain.
In fancy then he painted prehistoric
conditions. and followed with a scholarly
review Of what is known about the history
Of Nebraska and the great Louisiana Pur-
chase region. from the days Of Marquette
and la Sale to the present Rcferrinr
TO the signing OF treaty between Andres
Lopez Arniestro, Baron de Carondelet
and governor OF Louisiana for the king
OF Spain, and washinga Sabe, chief OF
the Omahas, at New Orleans i'm MAJ.
1876. Mr. Webster said;
What other incident in American his
tory is at once so interesting and ro-
mantle as this apparent league of peace
and friendship between the Spanish gov
ernor of the south and the Indian chief
tain of the north, neither Of whom could
speak the language OF the other, and
neither OF whom ever expected to Guilt
vate the tastes and habits. nor TO adopt
the civilization OF the other But both of
these rulers represent a power and influ-
entail people; they both represented a
kingdom or territory almost unlimited In
extent. They were daring and intrepid
men; both had a spirit of leadership. both
we're prepared TO engage In warfare If
necessary, and both OF whom possessed
something OF the commercial spirit But
washlnga Sabe subjected himself and
his people to a state Of vassalege to Baron
de Carondelet, and through him to the
great rulers OF Spain and the Indies. and
the Spanish government had established
its right to float the flag OF Spain upon
the prsiries that are now Nebraska.
Part OF Past Glory.
From the land which belonged to the
children of the forests, Of the prairles,
and of the deserts; from primitive Amer
lea TO the sovereignty of the king OF
France and Navarro and from thence IN
time TO the jewelled crowned head OF
Spain, soon to be given back again at
the request OF an interruptions diplomat
and at the urgency of a popular military
genius, and latter to become a part OF
freedoms wide home for the Anglo-SaXon
race, what a marvel in history, and yet
II Is a part of the chronology OF Ne
braskR."
Incidents in Nebraska history. such as
the foundation of Omaha, the passage
by the territorial legislature OF resolu
ton that resulted in the building OF the
Union Pacific railroad and similar
events were referred to- To the late A.
j. Poppleton, j. Sterling Morton and
John NJ Thayer Mr.. Webster referred in
warm eloquence. OF one of General
Thayers great acts he told in these
words:
Thayer and sumner.
He did more than any other one man
to have Nebraska admitted into the
union as q state. He personally took the
constitution TO Washington and pre-
sented it to the senator's. Charles Sum
ner. a champion of civil rights of the |
colored man. almost TO the degree of a |
said the people OF Nebraska |
were fdlotic' in presenting a consttu-
ton that had the word white in II,