Page:Final Report of the Northwest Territory Celebration Commission.pdf/38

 The ninety-two dollars and forty cents budget averaged out almost exactly as the daily maintenance expense. In the early part of the trip through the States of the Territory considerable savings on budget were accumulated, but as equipment came to require more repairs, uniforms had to be replaced, etc., the expense in turn exceeded budget and at the end of the trip had practically exhausted the states trust fund.

It should perhaps be explained that the states paid into a trust fund in the United States Treasury for the support of the caravan while within the borders of that State. Bills were paid from that trust fund on voucher by the Federal Commission. This worked out most satisfactorily, and much more so than had there been six different administrations of the project.

The caravan was on its way through the States of the Territory April 3rd to October 13th, 1938. It visited towns from East Liverpool. Ohio, to Wilmar, Minnesota. Several of the Minnesota towns visited were west of the Mississippi River and therefore not on old Northwest Territory ground. But the interest was such that they would not be denied, and under the State of Minnesota act could not be.

Detail as to the towns visited will be found on the table appended, along with much pertinent information as to reception, accorded the caravan.

The caravan, as a spectacle, was an attention compelling feature. It was colorful in itself, for most of those who saw it had never seen a yoke of oxen or Conestoga wagon, or a group of pioneers.

But, by itself, it would not have carried over the story of the Ordinance of 1787, or the import of Northwest Territory to the present United States.

All authorities consulted, agreed that despite any comprehensive literature program, the most effective way to teach was by living speaking pictures—or dramatization. Pantomime pageantry without dialogue was not sufficiently understandable or impressive.

And so, a composite pageant-drama was evolved, with some of the color and display of pageantry, but with spoken lines by the participants. This was entitled "Freedom on the March", an eight episode dramatization of the pivotal events in the formative period of the American idea of government. It was written by O. K. Reames, with cooperation of the Commission historian and others.

The pageant-drama opened with the "Albany Convention" of 1754, at which the idea of union of the colonies was first publicly and officially proposed.

The English government would not consent to the proposed union, but the idea did not die and had its fruition in the War of Independence.

Episode No. 2 portrays the physical acquisition of the lands of Northwest Territory—from England—by and his intrepid handful.

In the third episode the audience sees the impetus which was given to the American Bill of Rights as an essential part of the