While the priests of France were seeking to save the souls of the Indians, the Kings of France were seeking to rob them of their property.

The result of the expedition of Washington left no choice to the English government, except to abandon their claim to the northwest territory, or to declare war.

It is impossible to overrate the importance of these events upon the future of America.

An event during the war, apparently of small importance, had a controlling influence in securing to the United States the northwestern territory.

This he accomplished, so that when negotiations for peace were entered upon in 1782 our plenipotentiaries could maintain the title of the United States to the northwestern territory, not only by grants to the English colonies, but by…

As a part of this cession and settlement, and almost equal in importance to the constitution of the United States, was the celebrated ordinance organizing the northwestern territory.

This victory settled forever the occupancy of this territory by the white man, and the irreversible fate of the poor Indian, though, as it will appear hereafter, he struggled for this, his favorite region, for twenty years more.

In looking back over a period of one hundred years it is impossible to suppress a sense of injustice, and a feeling of sympathy for the Indian in his unequal struggle.

I have already referred to the pioneers who planted the first settlement, who bore the brunt of Indian warfare, and firmly founded free institutions in Ohio.

But the land was cheap, the title clear, the soil good, and all were on the same footing, willing to help each other.

The construction of the Erie Canal, and the introduction of steamboats on the rivers and lakes, was the beginning of a great revolution.

They have afforded to the farmer of the interior an easy access to market, and have enhanced the value of his farm and his productions.

They have facilitated intercourse between different sections of the state, and have thus tended to make the people more united, as well as more prosperous.

And they have made the name and character of Ohio well-known throughout the civilized world, as a name and character of which her sons may be justly proud.

Within twenty years from the first construction of railways they had almost superseded all former modes of communication, and had reduced the rates of travel and transportation to less than one-half the former rates.

This improvement led to the adoption of a system of free turnpikes in most of the counties in Ohio, constructed by local taxation, so that now Ohio is as well supplied with well- constructed turnpikes and railroads as any state in the…

From the beginning Ohio has taken a leading part in furnishing facilities for education to the rising generation.

At an early period the State of Ohio established the common-school system, by which every child between the ages of seven and fourteen years is furnished with the rudiments of a good education.

Some of these schools have been so far advanced that in them any child showing proficiency can secure, without cost, an education fully equal to that furnished by the colleges of the country forty years ago.

The excellence of the system of common schools in Ohio is admitted on all hands to be equal to that of any other state or section.

The charitable institutions of the state, including children's homes, are equal to the best in any country in the world.

Every denomination of Christians who number enough to make a congregation can readily secure a house of worship, not only by gifts from its members, but by contributions made by other professing Christians.

The same charity is extended to Jews and Gentiles professing any creed or having any form of worship.

The standing, ability and influence of the men engaged in the professions in Ohio will compare favorably with any in the Union, and especially is this true of the lawyers of the state.

I worked hard that winter, for hard work, I thought, was the way to fortune.