Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-05-03


ITO be received here by a man in his
stable clothes-So to meet us when we
come formally to pay our call to this
goyeInment-that is an insult. fancy
it to be Il direct and intentional one"
Insult is small word for it," broke
in the irate Spanish minister, still far
h down the table. Il certainly shall
report to my OWL government what
has happened here. OF that be very
sure"
Give me leave. sir" continued Mer-
ry. This republic, what is it? What
has it done?"
81 ask as much" affirmed Yrujo. a
small war with your own country.
Great Britain. sir-in which only your
generosity held you back-that is all
this country can claim. In the south
my own people w the mouth Of the
great river-we own Florida-we own
the province of TeXas-all the southern
and western lands. True. Louis Nv
to save it from Great Britain perhaps.
sir'-he bowed to the British minister
''originally coded Louisiana to our
crown. True. also. my sovereign has
ceded it again to France. But Spaif
still rules the south, just as Britain
rules the middle country out beyond.
And what is left? snap my fingers
at this republic!!"
Senior Yrujo helped himself to a
trimming glass of his own wine.
81 say that western country is ours
he still insisted, warming to his ora
ton now. Suppose, under coercion,
our sovereign did cede it to Napoleon
who claims it now? Does Spain not
govern it still? Do we not collect the
revenues? Is not the whole system OF
law enforced under the flag Of Spain
all along the great river yonder? Pos
session, exploration, misconceptions
are the rights under which territories
are annexed. France has the title tc
that west, but we hold the land itself
ne administer it. And never shall II
go from under our flag unless it be
through the act of stronger foreign
powers. Spain will fight"
will Spain fght? demanded a deer
and melodious voice. It. vas that OF
Aaron Burr who spoke now, half III
query, half in challenge. "Would Spair
fght-and would Great Britain, if need
were and the time came?"
He spoke to men heated with wine
smarting under social indignity, mer
owning a hurt personal vanity.
Our past is proof enough" said Mer
ry proudly.
Yrujo needed no more than a shrug.
divide and conquer?' Burr went on
looking at them and raising an eye
brow in query.
They nodded, both of them. Burr
looked around. His daughter and Meri
~wether Lewis were oblivious. He saw
the young mans eyes, somber, deep
fixed on hers; saw her gazing in re
turn, silent, troubled, fascinated.
One presumes that it was at this mo
mental the instant when Aaron Burr
seeing the power his daughter hell
over young Meriwether Lewis and the
interest he held for her, turned tt
these foreign officials at his left-a1
that moment, let us say. the Burr con
spiracy began.
divide that unknown country, the
west, and how long would this repub
lie endure? said Aaron Burr.
The noise Of the banquet now rose
about them. Voices blended will
laughter. The wine was passing
Awkwardness and restraint had giver
way to good cheer. In a manner they
were safe to talk.
"What!" demanded Aaron Burr once
more. "Could a few francs transfer
all that marvellous country from Spai1
to France? That were absurd. BY
what possible title could that region
yonder v e come to this republic? i
is still more absurd to think that. Civ
ilization does not leap across great riv
err valleys. 1t follows them. You have
said. right, sSlor Yrujo.. To my minf