, 1862-11-29


site But whether it be there, at the Dalles, or
Waa Walla, is Tot subject upon which there
should be any feeling. Let us have it at one Of
these points and if there is any one point
where arguments could be adduced to
determine the matter, to the exclusion of tie
others, that point is at Walla Wala. For it is
here whence the greater bulk of gold must flow !;
and if not here, certainly then, at the Dalles-
the Great Golden Gate of the upper Columbia.
Desiring to see a section OF country through
which had never assed, we took the stage from
Portland to Sacramento, which at the end of the
first day journey brings us to Saem[ [where
determined to lay over a day. to visit the Woolen
Factory and observe the characteristics of the
| place, The ride through the Willamette from
Portland to Salem is pleasant and refreshing
| Large and well TILED farms orchards Of grand
! proportions, with their trees ladened with the
golden fruit-peaches, apples and pears, in most
profuse abundance. Neat and well-trmmed gar
dons, where the rot Of horticulture bespoke
the appreciation Of the owners of well TILED acres
The style of farms, buildings barns, and out
houses were all in good taste and indicated the
extent of means of the farmers of Oregon
The orchards of Oregon during the past twelve
years have proven to be source of golden wealth.
nor is their value in the least diminished by the
large amount of fruit being now raised in Califor
MIA. Many have asked where Oregon would find
market for her orchards when California should
produce her own fruit, and though it is more than
doubtful whether California will ever rival Oregon
in the growth of apples, Jet if this should prove
to be the case, the mining sections of eastern Or
egon and of Washington are to-day sending forth
a message to all fruit growers, to dry, preserve,
and all their fruits, and they offer even to-day
a golded market, that must forever consume all
fruit so preserved; and have no doubt but that
those who will turn their attention to this en-
| ployment of preparing fruits, either dried or
canned, must always reap a golden reward for
their abors. q noticed at several points that at
tention was already being much given this spe-
cies of labor, and the future will prove that the
mining sections for dried fruits will guarantee an
equally lucrative market for Oregon, that Califor-
MIA has proven for her in green fruits in times
past)
In point of natural beauty, do not think that
the Willamette valley compares iavorably with the
smaller but equally well cultivated valley Of the
Rogue river but when we see once magnificent
outlet for all the produce of the former, and the
absence Of such an outlet in the latter, we are
forced to prefer a home in the Wiamette-Hwhere
Ceres has erected her temple of large proportions,
and where her votares are annually barking in
the sunshine of her smiles, her bounteous plentp.
In passing through this rich and eXhuberant coun-
try, could not but regret that the Donation Law,
that first opened homes to the first settlers of Or
egon was as generous as it was in the largeness of
its grant $40 acres in other words, was too large
a grant for the full and truly healthy growth of
any new country Q'rue, it reqired great induce
ment to turn pioneer colony towards the Pacific
so early as 46 and Al but | verify believe that
one half the grant would have brought as many
settlers as double the amount has donel The
true index, doubtless, of the prosperity Of coun-
try might be regarded the ratio of its population
to the square mile but when we find only one
settler to the square mile, the country, from ne
cessity, must be sparsey populated and this
condition must hold for so long period that det-
rlment on a large scale must be felt. That the
Donation Act has had, therefore,il its disadvantages
with its Advantages no one | think will doubt
taking the present as the standpoint from which
to view the prosperity the country. This coupled
with the fact that the lands were taken without
any regard to the points of the compass
thus ignoring our system of land Surveys, so sim
pie and yet so beautiful, cannot but regret that
the action of our Government could not have
ioreseen some of the detrimental results into
which its generosity has led it, OF course, it is
among the things Of the past but net on that
account the less to be regretted. (Ihe experience
IN this matter may not, and, probably, never will
find any field for applcat for the spirit of all
H.
since passed has studiedy held two things in vew
namely the minimum amount Of land commen-
surate with the object to be attained by their
cessation and most dgid adherence 10 the points
of the compass in their location In referring
that to the Donation Act, do not cavl at the
generous action Of a generous goyernment-for
but too well appreciate thatit has had the effect to
open to our grasp golden Continent, with ave-
nues Of trade and with wealth-which has built
up line of battllement of half million Of Free
men and probably, in looking at The results at
tanned, it might seem ungenerous to object at
this late date, to any OF those measures that as
sisted even in part to bring about this result But
am rather disposed to believe that the agricul-
tural districts Of the Pacific were occupied and
titled more ih consequence of the gold discoveries
and to supply their wants than from the spirit
which peryaded the Donation acts: for the latter
antedating the discovery Of gold on the Pacific
did not point out the market where the produce
of wel-tilled fields should be sold The coinc
dences Of that date, however, were most happy.
At Salem we found the Legislature in session.
and the excitement incident to the election of
Mr. Harding as U. S. Senator having subsidized
the body were moving in such business as looked
towards the growing wants Of the state. Il found
in Mr.. Harding plain, unpreending and sensible
gentleman, aud in whom the interests Of Oregon
will find a true Representative. AT the invitation
Of Gov Gibbs, visited the Committee of the
State T air composed of Delegates from all the
counties 1t was here decided TO make Selem the
site for holding the annual Fairs: a point so CEN
tral, well suited in every respect, that there
seemed to be great unanimity Of sentiment in the
matter.1 The grounds around are open and spa
cious, and you feel that you breathe the air and
tread the ground Of rural city, in making a
Of ffo II ic Of n
full localities i have seen in Oregon-on the left
bank Of the Willamette, with beautiful shade
trees, neat cottages, not cramped Or nudded to-
geher, but with ample spaces for gardens or or
chards-with fine view Of the woods which in a
vista of twenty miles surround it--and, in the
background, with the bold slope of the Cascades,
renders it one of the most beautiful sites for q
city to be found in Oregon. 1t is not only the
political center of Oregon, but it is also destined
to become point Of great manufacturing imDOr-
tance. 1t is surrounded by fine forests Of oak,
fir, pine and cedar. The large fields of grain here
cluster around it as a center. Its pioneer Wool
en- Factory, turing its hundred of spindles. here
rears its head, thus attracting towards It every
milling interest. (Ihe same stream that turns its
grst-mills, turns It's saw-mlls-and even then the
water is not allowed to run TO waste but is again
| caught and harnessed up to the spndes Of in
dustry where the covering Of the back Of the
sheep of yesterday is converted into covering
for your own back Of today No one resident
I North Of California can visit the Woolen Factory
of Salem without a feeling of pride and of pleas
ure and as be sees the bales of blankets of
clothes. and Of aannels ladng the wagons which
stand ready to be ireightsd for every homestead
in Oregon, he feels glow of pride in thus seeing
our own looms weaving woods Of our own growth,
and desires instantly to robe himself in garments
that no foreign hand has woven, and from wool