Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-10-28
From the Sr. Louis Weekly Gazette.
OREGON

at present 10 be attracting a good deal
of attention, among the leading men Of
England, as well as in this country
Some of the able English writer's have
been discussing the subject, as one Of
great moment and importance to that
country. Among others, the talented
editors Of the Edinburg Review, have
given an article, foil Of patriotism for
the far reaching policy Of the British
Isles. The Reviewers appear to be
well aware Of the great value of the Or
egon, when they say, "This country,
once settled, will command the Pacif-
ic." 1t will furnish direct trade with
China, and the Islands in the Pacific,
commerce second to none in impor-
lance in whatever light it may be view
ed. Oregon is a land of magnificent
scenery, and healthy climate; with
fertile country sufficient in extent TO
supply the wants Of great nation. 1t
has the most admirable geographical
situation for commercial purposes.
The tribes which wander over this re-
gion, are few, simple, and inohensive
in their habits Of life, and in many ca
ses, their conduct is marked with high
elevation Of moral sentiment-ranking
them far above most savages in the
Gale of humanity.
What the extent, character, and re-
scources, Of the Oregon are, distin-
guished senator in Congress, has given
briefly, and in graphic manner DESERT
bed in a speech, which was delivered
in the U. 5. Senate, at its late session.
OF the Oregon, said the Senator, in the
speech now referred to
In extent, it is larger than the Allan
tic portion of the old thirteen United
States, in climate it is softer-in fertil-
ity, greater-in saIubrIty, superior--in
position, better, because fronting Asia,
and washed by tranquil sea la these
particulars the Western slope OF cur
continent 10 far more happy than the
Eastern. In its conhguraiion it IS IN
expressibly fine aud grand vast OBJ
long square, with natural boundaries.
and a single gateway into the sea
The snow-capped Rocky Mountains in
close il on the East, an iron-bound coast
on the West, a frozen desert on the
North, and sandy plains on the South.
IAN its rivers, rising from the segment
of vast circumference, run TO meet to-
sether, into the ocean, through gap
IN the mountain, where the heats OF
summer, and the colds Of winter are
never felt, and where Northern aud
Southern diseases are equally un-
known. This is the valley of the Co
iumbla--a country whose every adj
vantage 10 crowned by the advantage
Of confgurstion the union of al It's
parts, the inaccessibllty of it's borders,
and itssingle introgression into the sea.
Such a country is formed for union.
wealth and strength. II can have but
one capital, and that will be Thebes-
but one commercial emporium and
that will be Tyre, queen of cities"
The British Reviewers, in discus
sing the question, who shall have pos
session OF this valuable aud extensive
region, admit that il is "lhe land which
is TO command the North Pacific and
give law to ito myriad Islands
cannot long remain vnoccupied."
In discoursing upon the political
bearing, who shall be the owners of this
country, they say--"However the po-
litieal question between England and
America, a. to the ownership Of the
Oregon, may be decided, Oregon will
never be colon ized overland from the
Eastern States" In order TO show
that this cannot be done, the Review
er states that at is SIX or seven hum
dred miles from the westermost limits
Of the prairies, 20 the caltivable region
Of the Columbia"-That six months
OF the year, the whole oil this space is
bowling wilderness Of snow and tenn
pests
Daring the other six, il exhibits
every variety of hopeless sterilily-
plains OF arid sand, dehles OF volcanic
rock, hills covered with bitter shrubs.
aud snowy mountains Of many days
journey and its level part is trsversed
BY the formidable predatory cavalry we
have described-an enemy of more
than Scythian savageness and endu-
rance, who cannot be tracked, overta-
ken, or concilisted. We know and
admire the extraordinary energy which
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