Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-03-13
THE SOUTH PASS.

Captain Fremont describes this avenue to
the Oregon Territory as one of@easy access
and gradual elevation: g.
1T is situated not far north Of the forty Sc
cond parallel, which is the boundary betweens
our territory and that Of Mexico. About six
miles from cur encampment1carriedu us to the
summit. The ascent had been so gradual,
that with all the intimate knowledge posses
sed by Carson, who had made this country
his home for seventeen years, we were tobli-
ged to watch very closely to find the place at
which we had reached the eliminating point.
This was between two low hills, rising on
either hand fifty OF sixty feet. When look
ed back at them, from the foot of the intermez
date slope, on the western plain, their sum-
mts appeared to be about. one hundred and
twenty feet aboye. From the impression on
my mind at.the time, and subsequently on nv
return, should compare the elevation which
we surmounted Immediately at tie Pass, to
the ascent Of the Capitol hill from the avenue
at Washington.
''The width Of the Pass is estimated at a.
bout nineteen miles. 1t has nothing ofsthe
gorge-like character and winding ascents of
the Allegheny passes-nothing resembling the
ST. Bernard and Simplon passes IF the Alps
For one hundred miles the elevation is regular
and gradual. 1t presents the aspect of SAN
dy plain; and the traveller, without being re-
minded of any change by toiasome ascents,
suddenly finds himself on the waters that flow
to the Pacific ocean.
''Ihe Importance of this Pass is immense.
1t opens the way into the valley of the Ore
gon, and IS the only avenue to that coantry
from the interior for a long distance By OBJ
serving the map, it will be seen that three
great rivers take their rise. in the neiphbor-
hood of the Pass-the Platte, the Columbia,
and the Colorado. The frstsis a tributary of
the Missouri; the second, draining all Ore
gon, discharges all it's accumulated waters in
TO the Pacific; the third flows southWafdly
and empties into the Bay of California. From
the South Pass, then, as central point, three
great valleys are commanded. 1T is the kew
TO California; it "opens the whole Oregon
country from the Rocky Mountains 10 the
Western ocean and it subjects both these
great regions to the control Of the Mississippi
Valley
AS the South Pass is within our undisputed
territory. its importance will doubtless attract
the attention of the governments Fort Lara
mie, on the Platte, abou: three hundred miles
from the Pass, - mentioned by Capt. Ffe-
mont as a suitable point for national post:
it is now merely station for traders. If the
Presidents recommendation is carried out to
construct forts and block-houses on the route
to Oregon, these important points will doubt
less be regarded.
OriginoI and Irue.-An editor out West.
says the evening Mirror, has journeyman
Printer worth his weight in gold-a sort of
rara aUfs, quiz, wit, poet, an orator,
man who is up to any thing under the sun
In the summer, when business is dull and
news becomes scarce, our editorial friend has
nothing to do Int rinU the hell for his innrnov.
man. ''Tom," says he, 81 want speech
to-day.-half column, done up bro,o, %
"Pll fix it, sir" replies Tom, who proceeds
forthwith to his case, and without copy or
previous preparation, sets up an admirable
speech. purporting to have been delivered by
some crack orator before the last public meet
ing If necessary Tom makes wood cut.
representing the orator in one of his happiest
fights. The speech takes like wiIdffe, and
is considered a splendid effort of genius. Oc-
casionally Tom is called upon to grace the ed
itorial chair. '.Tom | shall be absent for
couple of weeks-keep up the steam" s'Yes
sir,'' says Tom, and sure enough the paper
goes along like locomotive. Sometimes Tom
| is requested to knock the argument of polit-
ical opponent or BLACKBOARD editor, into pii..
| No sooner said than done. Tom goes to his
case, with dire Indignation upon his brow, and
sets up perfect smasher. The offending wretch
| is killed, to all intent and purposes. In add-
ton to ali these qualifications Tom does all
the pnqilistic business Of the establishment.
reports the proceedings of Legislature, dams
the subscribers, keeps the books, attends the
public meetings, officiatcs at the balls and
parties, does the stump-speaking of the coun-
good hand, we should say Z! That fellow Tom
doeorvoe tn ho q Momher of Ctnuress mr. Co