The Cavalcade of America.
Just as traditions of American character have grown up with our people, so the DuPont Company
has grown with the nation to occupy an increasingly useful place in our economic life.
And DuPont presents the Cavalcade of America in the belief that the stories of faith and
courage you will hear on these programs represent a heritage too precious to be forgotten.
These are true episodes brought to light by the careful search of distinguished educators
and historians prominent in the American Historical Association.
Today as ever, America carries its tradition forward, driving through to new accomplishments,
so well exemplified by the research of DuPont chemists in creating better things for better
living through chemistry.
In every chemistry, in every walk of life, this spirit of get ahead, this desire for
constant improvement has always inspired and will continue to inspire the Cavalcade of
America.
We set our stage tonight for the year 1889 with some melodies that were popular in the
gay 90s played by the Cavalcade Orchestra.
King Sir Settings.
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What trait is more American than the spirit of healthy competition?
Friendly rivalry has done much to advance our nation's progress.
In every walk of life we find the urge to succeed, to advance, to conquer difficulties and opposition
often spurs us to win where praise softens and brings self-satisfaction.
Our nation's history has many examples of contests out of which came advancement and improvement.
But tonight we are concerned with but two.
The year 1889, the paths of empire are leading westward.
New territories are opening.
Broader horizons are stretching before an eager nation.
In her sister's home Mrs. Molly Nesbitt is reading a recent copy of a St. Louis paper.
Anna, Charles, look here.
What is it?
Somebody dead.
The president.
President of the United States?
No, no, why, why?
The president of the United States.
Oh, is that all? And the way you acted I thought heavenly.
Indian territories to be opened up at last, made part of the, what do you call it, the public domain.
I saw something about that a few weeks ago on the paper. Now to speak of it.
And you never told me.
Well, Congress ratified so many bills.
Two million acres of land to be given away.
Well, why, anybody would want to take up land in the wilderness like that.
Why? For a little money.
For a home, of course, for a living, a fresh start.
Oh, I suppose there are folks, but thousands of them.
Land-hungry folks who've been waiting years for the chance.
John always said it would come, that it was bound to come.
If only he could have lived to see it.
But at last it happened.
The government bought the land from the Indians.
It's to be opened for settlement.
One hundred and sixty acres to a person.
I know the very spot I'll claim.
You'll claim?
Yes.
What are you talking about?
Well, I'm going to join the run and stake a home there.
Why, Molly.
Listen, Molly.
I've been waiting for this day for years.
The day when I could get land, land of my own, for myself and my children.
You've got a home here with Anna and me as long as you live, Molly.
You know that.
I know, and I don't want you to think I'm ungrateful.
But a home of my own is what I want.
And here's a chance to give it.
Well, now, Molly, we'll see.
We'll just think it over a while.
There's no time to lose in thinking it over.
The President's proclamation was issued three days ago.
The land will be opened in less than a month.
Hundreds of folks around the road already, most likely.
On the road?
Heading for the line.
You mean you have to go there?
Of course.
I suppose.
I thought you sent in an application or something.
You don't ask for a section of land.
You go and stake it out.
If you can get it.
If you can get it, yes.
Two million acres and 50,000 folks maybe after it.
Well, more likely 100,000.
Then what chance have you got?
Everybody's got an even chance.
They aren't letting anyone across the line beforehand.
Not a day, nor an hour, not even a minute.
A lot of them will slip in ahead of time just the same.
Well, they'll be disqualified if they do.
See it?
Says so right here in the paper.
Well, will everybody line up at the border?
And wait for the hour, yes.
A signal to start.
It'll be a race.
Every man for himself.
Molly Ness, if you don't really mean you're going to join that rush.
What chance would you have against a bunch of hard riding land grabbers?
The best in the world.
Because I know just the place John always hoped to stake out for us someday.
You follow an old status tale.
There's a grove of cottonwood and a little creek and some rolling hills.
Oh, I could head right for it.
On foot I suppose.
Or on horseback or in a wagon.
I'll find some way.
From all over the country they came.
A hundred thousand people in trains, in wagons, in buggies, on horseback and on muleback.
In oxcarts and in prairie schooners.
On foot even.
A crazy, heterogeneous procession.
Pushing, scrambling, cursing, laughing.
Eager to get to the line.
Once there they waited.
For they, some of them, under a burning sun.
Amid choking red dust.
No place to rest.
Nothing much to eat.
Even less to drink.
Waiting for the hour when the land would be open.
In the midst of this mad milling crowd was Molly Ness.
That is, keep that everybody well away.
Oh, ginger, oh, quiet boy, quiet.
You making the rum ma'am or just watching?
I'm going in.
With your husband?
No, alone.
You've got nerve.
I got a good horse.
You're right.
You can't beat an engine pony for endurance and over rough ground.
Now that fellow over yonder with the black mare, he won't be in it with you and me.
No.
That's a racetrack horse he's got.
Oh.
Trained for short spurts.
Watermelon, ripe watermelon.
Where from?
Watermelon.
A farmer with a whole cartload of them by a guy.
He ain't there going fast.
Come on, let's try and get one.
Oh, I don't dare to leave.
I fought all night to keep this place right in front.
Well, you stay here and I'll go there.
Watermelon, ripe watermelon.
Get up.
Oh, get in there Jerry.
Well, what a place is this?
You can't push your cane in here.
This is my place.
Yeah, your place is back home lady, tending to your knitting.
Well, this runs open to all comers, isn't it?
I've got just as much riding here as anybody.
Well, I hope you're a good rider.
I am.
Cause if you ain't, there's no telling.
Let that pony of yours stumble in a coyote hole
and the rest of this stumbling herd will ride right over you.
Trample on you.
You ever seen a cattle stampede?
Yes.
Well, it's gonna be ten times worse.
Cause they're not running blind.
They're all after something.
Well, they're human beings though.
You're a fuck.
Does this noise sound human to you?
They're herd of wild animals, I tell you.
Tinned up, rearing to go.
Just cause you're a woman, Bo.
I'm not asking any favors or giving any.
This is my place, here in the line.
That's as good as living, Bo.
Got one.
I got one.
I got a piece of watermelon anyway.
Oh.
I paid a dollar for it at the end.
Yes.
Kind of warm, I'm afraid.
But it's juicy.
Here, have some.
Oh, I couldn't ask.
Go on.
Oh, no.
There's only enough for one.
You eat it.
Say, what do you take me for anyway?
Think I'm gonna guzzle watermelon when you stand there
with your tongue hanging out and your lips all cracked and dry?
Here, take half.
Oh, thank you.
Gets the spot, don't it?
You know, I could bury my whole face in it, my eyes.
Yeah, my eyes smart, too, like furies.
It's all that brush smoke where they've burned the prairie ahead of it.
Yeah, they did it to clear the way for us, I suppose.
Yeah, and they smoke out the sooners.
Of what?
The sooners.
The fellows who thought they'd sneak in sooner, ahead of time, and hide in the scrub.
Oh.
But that some has managed to get in.
Not their claims all staked out, but now most likely.
Oh, but there's a penalty.
Sure.
Oh, there'll be plenty of arguments and shooting and lawsuits.
Hey, you see that fellow yonder in the spring wagon?
Yeah?
He's a lawyer.
He's getting in on the ground floor.
Oh, then they're not all going in for land.
No.
Some are making for the town sites.
Merchants, builders, plume keepers.
Go on, go on.
A jackrabbit just run out across the line.
Calling him a sooner.
Good thing he's up to make him laugh and relieve the strain.
Yeah.
Back in everybody.
Keep back.
Only a few minutes and they're out.
Hey, you better mount your pony, ma'am.
Be ready.
All right.
The militia's all got their watches out and their guns.
Ready to give the signal.
Well, how can we ever hear over all this noise?
What?
Boy, there isn't any noise.
Have I gone deaf all of a sudden?
They're listening.
For the signal.
It's almost noon.
Oh, boy.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
Ah.
Ah.
Ah.
Ah.
Ah.
Ah.
Ah.
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Competition and civilization, rivalry and progress.
This spirit has always been strong in the heart of the American people.
It changed the country from a wilderness to a land of hope.
Even before the Oklahoma Land Rights, the roots of American love of competition led back
to an incident which caused excitement throughout the civilized world.
Our cavalcade orchestra takes up the Mississippi and the days of 1870 with an excerpt from
Free Ghost Bay's Mississippi Suite.
The
Ming mistake.
It is the year 1870.
Down the brown waters of the Mississippi steams the Robert E. Lee,
loaded with cotton for New Orleans.
Captain John W. Cannon, owner and commander of the mighty Packets,
stands on a hurricane deck, talking with one of his passengers.
Here in the Benton Rouge, are we?
Be there in about 20 minutes now.
Making good time in this trip, Captain.
The Robert E. Lee makes good time every trip.
He's in a boat on the river, can't beat us.
You talk just like Captain Leathers of the Natchez.
Leathers? That windbag.
It's an out-mouthed bastard.
Get off, Captain, what you say, Captain.
Tom Leathers happens to be a good friend of mine.
Babel on his boat then, why don't you?
Well, I did come up on the Natchez.
You happen to be a good friend of mine, too.
So I reckon I'd travel back on the Lee.
Well, what do you think of the Natchez?
A beautiful boat.
Prettiest lines I think I ever saw.
Handsome is his handsome dove.
Well, the Natchez can do plenty.
Leathers claims she's the fastest boat on the Mississippi.
And I don't know...
He's a liar. The Robert E. Lee's got them all.
I'm dead, here comes the Natchez now.
How do you know it's her?
Think I don't recognize that whistle.
She was still in Vicksburg loading when we pulled out.
She must have done some mighty fast traveling to overtake us.
Well, we've made a lot of stops, this place.
Here she comes round the bend.
You're right. It is the Natchez.
Pretty, isn't she?
Givin' along there.
As quiet and graceful as a bride.
Bride.
Hey, Sam.
Sam.
Yes, sir?
Go below and tell Charlie to speed her up a bit.
Yes, sir.
You're not going to do any racing.
Don't worry, ma'am.
I'll do the best I can, Vicksburg.
We're not going to do any racing, ma'am.
I pray you see we just wanted to get out of the way of the Natchez.
She's gaining on us, Captain.
That's why don't Charlie pile on the wood and speed her up.
She's pulling up on us, Sam.
Don't let her pass us, Captain.
No, you mustn't let her pass us.
I thought you was the one who just said that.
Yes, sir. I know.
But it's all right with me.
She's speeded up a little.
I can't bear to see that other boot get ahead of us.
Fine, please.
Don't, Charlie.
Charlie says we're making all the speed we can, sir, with the fuel we got.
Connequin.
Well, we're thinking our more about Rude, sir.
That Rude?
I want it now.
Sorry, sir, but we're doing the best we can.
All right, Natcho Livers.
You can't hardly blame him for wanting to show up with a brand new beautiful boot.
He's done it with every boot he ever had.
Way back in 55 when he had the first Natchez and I had the old Leach.
It's a favorite trick of his.
Sneaking up and then swooping back.
She's gaining on us fast now, Captain.
Up almost the breast of our stern.
Pass it.
Oh, he's beating us.
Listen to those folks on the nose.
They're not allowed to be here now.
Don't let him beat us, Captain.
Don't let him.
He's pulling right up alongside now.
Look at the way he cuts the water.
Don't let him beat us, Captain.
Well, we're going as fast as we can, ma'am.
Look at him as he goes fast, Captain.
He's waving at you.
Well, the old fool.
I'll show him.
I'll show the mealy-mouthed old rascal who's got the best boot.
Well, why don't you challenge him to a race
and prove who's got the best boot?
I'll challenge old letters to a race.
A race? What is a race?
All the way up the river from New Orleans to St. Louis.
1,200 miles.
And then we'll see which is the fastest boat on the Mississippi
than Natchez or the Robert E. Lee.
From this challenge came the race which attracted nationwide,
worldwide interest, the race between the Natchez and the Robert E. Lee.
Enormous sums were waged, not only in the river cities,
but in large cities all over the United States, Canada, Mexico,
Great Britain, and Europe.
Late afternoon, June 30, 1870, the levy at New Orleans
is thronged with people eagerly awaiting the start.
I'm betting on the lease.
Five hundred dollars and the Natchez will beat her.
Don't. Bravo, what I mean.
Back to the boat that bears the honor name of our General.
Back to the boat with the best machinery, say I.
The Lee is only four years old.
She's bigger.
She looks bigger because she's wider and rises higher out of the water.
But actually, she's not as big.
Her name goes to take it to the world.
You southerners are always loyal.
They're about to start.
Look, the Lee is backing out.
Oh, what would I give to be a boat?
Not for love or money, could you or anybody else get past the Johnnys.
Captain Tanner refused positively to take any passengers of cargo.
Naturally.
And there's room for fuel.
The captain is not only badmintoning wood or coal.
Both understand.
He's got a big supply of things on hand for work,
the speed of rosin, pitch, tallow, candles.
The Natchez is backing out.
Ah, but she's a beauty.
The Lee has dignity.
The Lee looks as if her cycle already struck her.
Even her wheelhouse is moving.
Captain Tanner has Lee thorough preparation.
That Captain Levers has made tactically done.
He's been carrying a cargo and passengers.
And still he wins.
Another 500 on the Robert D. Lee.
Bacon.
The Steve, along the tootie.
Out!
They're off!
Yeah!
At Johnny Hawkins' famous saloon on the corner of Common Street
and Variety's Halley, New Orleans,
Hungrys waited all night for news.
The Lee was leading at 24-mile points,
ahead by 4 minutes and 40 seconds.
He won't hold them back.
He's got a big
basket.
Pop to the escape!
The Nazis left at 1.38, just 10 minutes later.
The next bulletin will be from the town of Nazis.
Following morning, July 1st in a pre-oil hole.
Which one you bet knowing, Miss Lucy?
The Nazis, Manda.
Why, Miss Lucy?
I know.
But the Nazis was the vote Mr. John and I took our honeymoon trip on.
No, it isn't so she was, Miss Lucy.
And you're betting on the Robert E. Lee, Manda?
I would guess so.
Well, Moses is a roustabout on the Lee, isn't he?
He's a joyous man, and that good-for-nothing dog he tells me.
Miss Lucy, Miss Lucy.
Yes, Sam, what is it?
They just put a bulletin up down at the square.
The Robert E. Lee breaks all records to the town of Nazis.
In 17 hours and 11 minutes.
Fair minutes.
In a New York stock exchange house on the morning of July 2nd.
What's the latest on the board, Frank?
Well, Consolidated is selling its...
Oh, do you say Consolidated? Who's ahead in the race?
The Robert E. Lee, sir.
He passed Memphis, sir, 10 minutes past 11.
All business has been suspended to today.
I told you the Lee would win.
Don't be too sure.
The race isn't half over yet.
The Lee's gaining all the time, though, if you win by an hour.
He's got an unfair advantage, having attended a fueler in midstream.
He's got a smart cap.
$1,000 at the lectures will reach St. Louis first.
Take it.
In an exclusive London club, July 1st.
What's the latest cable report, Briggs?
They passed Cairo, sir.
Cairo?
Not Cairo on the Nile, sir.
Cairo on the Mississippi.
Oh, quite.
Extraordinary, isn't it, sir?
A race that runs for days on end.
Most extraordinary, Briggs.
Just why are they doing it, sir?
Well, Americans are always racing and competing.
But why, sir?
Why, that's it all, Briggs.
I don't know, but I do know I've got 10 pounds wagered on the thatchers.
Yes, sir, and I have 10 killings on the Robert E. Lee.
The
St. Louis shortly before noon, July 4th, 1870.
For miles, both banks of the river are crowded with people.
The hills are swarming with them, waiting to welcome the winner, whichever it may be.
There she comes.
I can see her.
It's a natchez.
Natchez, your granny wants to leave.
You can tell her the way she rides.
I don't see how you can tell anything to all those stares and boasts in the way.
Ma, I've seen the Lee too many times.
Unless you can't fool me.
I sure it's the Lee.
The natchez is way behind.
But he was packing up a natchez, huh?
There's $25 of my money says it's the Lee.
Hey, kids and strangers.
Oh, I can't believe it.
No, three days is a long time for a race.
Yes, sir.
Hey, that's her whistle.
Yes, sir.
Only one on the river like it.
The natchez?
No, no, the Lee.
Come on, Captain Cannon, we're waiting for you.
It's the Lee, all right.
It is, it's fancy.
I'm sorry to disappoint you, miss, but I know the Lee's whistle anywhere.
Yes, it's the Lee.
I can read her name now.
I saw General Robert E. Lee in Fairfax.
I'll cover it with that $25 for him.
Where's the natchez?
What happened to her?
Well...
We're here for the Robert E. Lee!
The most in the history!
The champion of champions!
The Robert E. Lee!
From New Orleans to St. Louis in three days, 18 hours and 14 minutes.
That was the record of the Robert E. Lee.
Racing became more than a mere contest between rival captains.
Racing was responsible for the improvement of the Mississippi steamboat.
Racing, rivalry, the spirit of competition brought better travel conditions,
faster transportation of merchandise, progress, and advancement,
just as the Oklahoma land race was instrumental in conquering a wilderness.
Let us be thankful that this inherent quality remains an essential element in our country's lifeblood,
for the spirit of progress helps make America a nation.
The other night I found out again that the American determination to strive and succeed is very much alive today.
I wish that all of you could have sat with me at a dinner table
where I met a number of men whose daily work consists of the hardest sort of competition,
competing with nature, using their brains and ingenuity to go nature one better.
They were all research chemists.
As they swapped experiences across the table,
I was amazed to learn how far into the future their thinking extends,
and also how close they were to discovering new secrets of nature
that will change and improve our lives tomorrow or next week or a year from now.
One of those men told me the story of the part salt plays in chemistry.
Well, you know, I hadn't the slightest notion of the number of useful things
that DuPont makes for us out of salt, common salt.
I thought salt was just something you put on French fried potatoes
and something that makes it easy to swim in the ocean.
But these chemists told me they take salt as a basic raw material
and make things as far apart as insecticides for farmers and cosmetics for beautiful women.
Every time I pick up a salt shaker now, I remember that DuPont uses that same material
to make products used in ethyl fluid for gasoline and duprine,
the marvelous synthetic rubber that beats nature's own rubber in many ways,
even adhesive, cleaning fluid, and ingredients for dentifluid,
all out of the stuff I throw over my left shoulder for luck.
And salt is lucky after all.
We're lucky to have it around, and we're lucky to have chemists who know what to do with it,
and turn it into many useful products.
Another time, I'll tell you more of these fascinating adventures
in the chemists' constant effort to provide better things for better living through chemistry.
ée
Next Wednesday evening at this same time, Frank Craven, well-known playwright, director,
and popular star of stage and screen, will be our guest star when DuPont presents
The Cavalcade of America.
This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.
Thank you.