Fields of achievement

The ideals and accomplishments of our great Americans were to establish a government that was fit to be intrusted with all the powers that a free people ought to delegate to any government as the safe and proper depository of national interests, controlled not by the passions but by the reason of the people, to develop the natural resources of the country, and to open up the way of opportunity to all. However, great Americans have not confined their achievements to the field of government and protection of our institutions Many of the great industries, much of medical science, communication, and transportation found first expression in the keen minds of our pioneers. In the biographies of these men are incidents as thrilling, full of daring, and productive of rich achievements as are revealed in the lives of the mighty army who conquered the wilderness and won for the United States in succession the Colonies, the Northwest Territory, Louisiana, the Oregon country, Texas, California, and the great Southwest.