Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-05-24
SATURDAY, MAY "a, 1862
Why Stand ye Here Idle-What Little
ENTERPRISE may Do.

It has been our intention for some time
mast to call tho attention of OH, readers to the
great Importance of opening line of direct
communication between the Sound and that
portion of our Territory lying east of the Cas-
cade range of mountains. On several occa-
sions within the last few mouths we have
shown that there existed a substantial unity OF
interests between the Sound ard the Walla
Walla regions, and that nothing would prove
moro Injurious to those interests than would
division Of the Territory by line drawn
along the summit of the Cascade range OF
mountains.
1t is conceded by all that the country cast
of the mountains must have commercial con-
nection with some point on the Pacific and
that there must of necessity be lines Of thor
oughfare over which the immense traffic must
pass. This thoroughfare is now the Column
bia river, the advantages of which inuro al
most exclusively to the State of Oregon; hence
it becomes question Of vast importance to
the people of Washington Territory as tohow
this EVIL can be remedied, and for the adoption
of some plan by which we can secure our fair
share of the trade and commerce now rapidly
springing up between the two sections.
We arc not disposed to admit what is now
claimed by our Oregon friends, end what is
tacitly admitted by our citizens, that the
ihoroughfare of trade and commerce of the
two sections must of necessity be confined to
the valley of the Columbia. If this is con-
ceded, there is no possibility Of securing for
Washington Territory a reasonable share Of
the advantages arising from it. 1t would be
worse than folly to claim Cor Vancouver the
ability Of a successful competition with Port
land and Dalles for the trade. even with the
limited cooperation Of every citizen Of the
Territory; and yet. strange MS it may appear
the citizens Of Vancouver cling to the delu-
sion that they will sooner o. later become a
formidable rival Of Portland for the trade of
the great Columbia river valley. and seem de-
termined to r-gsrd as enemies 10 their best
Interests al who do not concur with them in
opinion and manifest willingness 10 sacsiGiee
theirown local and esnsral welfare 10 aid them
in their hopeless struggle with Portland and
Dalles for the control Of the trade of TIE Co
lssbia; and it is feared they viii continue to
oppose every proposition designed to divert a
Pastio1 Of the trade which ksisinaiely be-
longs to this Territory into other channels and
thus place il Leyond the reach and control Of
Oregon CAPITALISTS, backed as they are by lib
ss,l State Lxi-iaiieu. qriie as powerful and
s1scisas a. that of car Territory. Our Van
ccuver fisnds have had ill the aid the I~sis-
laisre could possibly afford them in their
ssvugxle to sreurc share Of the benefits Of
the river trade. and We need only allade 10
the rapid growth Of the trade and population
o: Portland. and compare it wi'h that Of Van
eouv~r, to sshsaaniiaie our position The
tine va. and not very long ago, when Van
osuver vas ,he great CENTRE If trade If the
Colunbia valley, and Portland was without a
solitary white inhsti,sni. Wha, has brought
about The wonderful change as Witnessed in
the prrs~ps condition II the two cities Has
{. becu the result of sdventiious eircumstarces