A One-Vote Oddity
(Continued from page 118)
Seward had some difficulty making the case for the purchase of Alaska before the Senate which finally ratified the treaty by a margin of just one vote on April 9, 1867. On the misty afternoon of October 18, 1867, at the city of Sitka, on the desolate Alaska coast, amongst the firing of Russian and American cannon, the Imperial Russian flag came down over Russian America. The Stars and Stripes was raised up the 90 foot flag pole, and "Seward's Icebox" became the property of the United States.
An army garrison was established at Sitka and acted as the region’s government until 1877. In 1884, Congress passed an “Organic Act for Alaska,” which established the first civilian government. It wasn’t until 1912 that Alaska was given the full status of a territory—45 years after the purchase!
One vote brought a territory twice the size of Texas into the United States. One vote added 20% more territory to the United States of America. It was called “Seward’s Folly” but it has resulted in one of the greatest investments every made in the history of the world. Seward was right. It took a generation for the country to recognize the greatness of what he saw in 1867.
Folly or Legacy?
Sometimes the answer can only be seen in the next generation. But that is all the more reason to elect men and women who have the force of character and vision to stand by their convictions. Vote for leaders who will not be controlled by the jokes told about them in the press. Vote for leaders who have a vision of what is right and will stay on task. Vote for leaders who see a future brighter than today and with values consistent with the Scripture.
