Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-04-11

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Mr.. Jefferson stood silent, absorbed
rapt carried away by his own vision.
"And now for my news he said at
length. "Here you have it,
He waved once more the little scrap
Of paper
81 had this news from New York this
morning. 1t was dispatched yesterday
evening. Tomorrow 1t will reach all
the world. The mails will bring 1t to
you. But news like, this could not
wait for the mails. No horse could
bring it fast enough. 1t was brought
by a dove-the dove of peace, I trust
Let me explain briefly what my news
concerns.
"As you know, that new country yOn'
der belonged at first to any one who
might find ito England, if she could
penetrate 1t first; to Spain, If she were
first to put her flag upon it; to Russia
If first she conquered it from the far
northwest. But none of these three
ever completed acquisition by those
means under which nations take title
to the new territories Of the world.
Louisiana. as we term it, has been I'M
claimed, unknown, unowned-indeed.
virgin territory. so far as definite title
was concerned.
"In the north such title as might be
was conveyed to Great Britain by
France after the latter power was con-
uuered at Quebec. The lower regions
France-supposing that she owned
them-conveyed through her monarch
the fifteenth Louis, to Spain. Again,
in the policy of nations Spain sold
them to France once more in time
Of need. France owned the territory
then or had the title. though Spain
still was in possession. 1t lay still un-
occupied, still contested, until but now.
"My friends, give you news. On
the I'd of May last Napoleon. Bona
parte. first consul of France. sold to
this republic, the United States Of
America. all OF Louisiana. whatever it
may be. from the Mississippi to the
Pacific. Here are seven words which
carry an empire with them-the en-
pire of humanity-a land in which
democracy, humanity, shall expand
and grow forever. This is my news:
General Bonaparte signed May Fifteen
millions-Rejoice!
A deep sigh rose as If in unison all
along the table. The event was too
large for instant grasping. There was
no applause at first. Some many
did not understands; not so certain
others.
The minister from Great Britain, the
minister from Spain. Aaron Burr and
few other men acquainted with great
affairs, prominent in public life, turn
ed and looked at the presidents tall
figure at the head of the table and
then at that of the silent young man
whom Mr. jefferson had publicly hon-
ored.
The face of Aaron Burr grew pale.
The faces of the foreign ministers
showed sudden CONSERVATION. Theo-
dosia Aston turned, her own eyes
fixed upon the grave face Of the
toung man sitting at her side, who
made no sign Of the strong emoti.n
possessing his own soul.
II have given you my news" the
voice Of Mr. jefferson went on, rising
now, vibrant and masterful, fearless,
compelling. There you have it. this
little message. large as any ever writ
ten in the world The title to that
western land has passed to us. We
set our seal on it now. Cost what It
may, we shall hold it so long as we
can claim flag or a country on this
continent. The price is nothing. Fiji
teen millions means no more than the
wine or water left in half empty
glass. 1t might be fifty times fifteen
millions and yet not be one fiftieth
enough. These things are not to be
measured by known signs or marks of
values. 1t is not in human compre-
tension to know what we have gained;
hence we have no human right to
boast. The hand of Almighty God Is
in this affair. 1t was he who guided
the fingers of those who signed this
cession to the United States OF Amer
lea.
THAT Providence who has given US
all needful instruments and agents to
this point in our career as republic
has given us yet another, ana the last
one needful. Tomorrow my friend, my
special messenger. Captain Meriwether
Lewis, starts with his expedition. He
will explore the country between the
Missouri and the Pacific-the country
of my dream and his. 1t is no longer
the country OF any other power-it Is
our own!
gentlemen. give you a toast-Cap-
tain Meriwether Lewis"