, 1853-01-08
The Past and Preeent Year.

np the records Of 1902, and opened fresh
page in his musty volume, imprnetrable to
the sight Of mortals, yet familiar 10 his own,
for the entry of the events of another year,
in the interninable history of the future
Remorseless time what havoc does the an
mails of each year disclose, consequent upon
thy whitening touch!-how gloomy is the
devastation annually recorded along Thy ever
onward and blightins pathway y
A few thoughts with regard to the events
which have transpired in the territory of
Oregon" during the past year, might serve
profitable as the means 10 introduce a few
speculative Of prospects, such as
might be reasonably entertained, connected
with the newborn year. consummation
Of measures and objects, highly impol tanb
and likely in anticipation, and The most ad-
vantageous course of policy for the attain
ment of the ends desired. Separating on
terms of good understanding with The old
year, let US all initiate the example of time,
by turning over a fresh page in the book Of
existence for the nc,c- commence afesh a
Of usefulness, and contribute in every
possible manner towards the advancement,
improvement, and general good of our new
and important commonwealth.
Since the commencement 10 the close Of
the by-gone year, from twelve 10 eighteen
thousand immigrants have taken up their
abode in the "terrilory Of Oregon" Their
stock crowd the valleys of the Willamette
and Umpqua, and forests are fast diappear-
ing before the axe and torch of the vigor-
Gus and Industrious backwoodsmcn of the
Gar-off Atlantic states, and in their place,
farms are appearing, adorned with neat and
necessary Improvements. The mines have
been made 10 yield a bounieous yellow
treasure 10 the laborers therein, and general
improvement has advanced with perman-
ency and rapidily unriyalled in the history
and settlement Of any agricultural portion ol
our country, and health wealth, and pros
perity have been constant and welcome al
tendants upon general industry. l
During the past year, our oton territory
north of The Columbia river has more than
doubled its population. Townsville sites
for future cities, ale springing up, and rap
idly siriding into imPortance-a convention
has been held, praying congress for an carly
division Of the territory Of Oregon" and
the creation of the territory Of "Columbia''
--immense coal beds have lecn discovered--
commerce has increased, and business and
general improvement have advanced from a
mere eyPhcr in importance, 10 position of
no inconsidcrable respecIability. .r
And what beneficial projects, measures,
and influences may We reasonably expect to
see brought about and exercised over our
new territory, affecting its future greatness
during the present year, H
I A large immigration from southern Orc
gon and California may be confidently an
ticipated next spring, followed by another
from the Atlantic states duringth approach-
ing summer and autumn. The maturing of
the necessary measures to secure scpara-
lion Of Oregon, and the establishment of an
independent Jurisdiction on the north, may
be safely entertained. An appropriation by
congress for the construction of road across
the Cascade mountains, is earnestly called
for, and strong hopes are entertained Of its
completion during the present year. We
may expect TO see territorial road con-
structed from the Columbia river 10 the
head of Puget Sound post Offices, and post
routes established wherever required by the
public convenience throughout the terrific.
ry; schools established androads construct
ed W hereyer necessary operations in our
coal mines commenced the extent of our
farmers eroIs trebled better provision
made for safety Of stock during the rniny
season; steam navigation introduced on the
Sound; the fishing -smacks Of the Atlantic
states taking possession of our valuable fish7
ing banks lighthouses in process Of erec-
tion /; our valuable timber disappearing and
converted into lumber; steam machinery
almost everywhere in operation; our pop
ulation be ten to one and our shipping, ag-
ricultural and common business interests be
rroportionately increased.
As a compensation for the constant raw
ages Of time, we may reasonably expect a
realization of much contained in the above
enumeartion should nronar vigileneo h.. -,