The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-08-31
Lebanon corresponaenee.
Editor State Rights Democrat:

From almost every point OF the Will
lamette valley the spirit Of improvement
is on the march. The farmers are i'm
proving and enriching their lands--ap-
plying the inventions Of agricultural SCI
encc to develop their bounteous resources
and were it possible to exhibit panasama
Of the magnifceDcc of the valley of
" mists" pointed to by the fngerpost of
Nature, there are but few among us with
sufficient credulity to accept it as plaus-
iblc reality. Taking into consideration
the agricultural resources of Linn Coun-
ty alone, it can be made susceptible of
sustaining population Of at least one
hundred thousand inhabitants. OF course
there is no one that reflects upon this
thought, will be 80 crude and visionary
in bis speculations az to expect to be reg
istcred as living unit Of that dense mass
Of human kings that is to fulfil the grand
ultimatum Of this mountain guarded val
ley.
Unless there il some disturbing cle-
ment cast into the complex machinery
that shapes the destinics of peoples and
nations, eIuding the prescience Of mental
deductions, we can descry time IN the
rapidly approaching future, when the
dense forests Of evergreen frs that rear
their tall spires along the crystal streams
that meander our fertile yalley-that
mantle the foothills and even the noun
tainsides, will disappear before the iDno-
vating hand Of civilization, and the now
wilderness and waste places will be crown
cd with golden haryests-decOrated all
over with tidy cottage homes and roliti-
cal mansions, the happy abodcs Of hcm-
ogcnious people whose fraternal ana in
discriminate intercourse in ita various re-
lations will make the very air musical
with the melody of contentment and joy.
Many Of our broad acres that nature
seems TO be protecting by the grand up
standing forests Of frs and the deep.root-
cd fern will become in the course Of
human events the habitations Of revoly-
ling multitudes endowed with the highest
order Of intelligence, basking in the sun
shine Of afiIuence and refinement.
But, "why," it may be asked. should
we speculate in those remote results whose
fulflment can only be seen and enjoyed
by generations that arc to succeed the liy-
ing Of the present? ?" As paradoxical as
il may appear, they who live to witness
the close Of the first decade after the great
interoceanic railroad shall have been COM
plcted, and the main trunk or connecting
branch extended through the Willamette
valley. will see thrifty villages teeming
with inhabitants where nature now reigns
supreme in her silent grauduer unmark-
cd by the touch Of art. Towns that at
present only number few hundred, will
enutnerate more than as many thousands
Salem, Albany, Harrisburg, Eugene and
other places unmentioncd seem to have
caught the shadow Of "coming events
and are preparing to meet the expansion
consequent upon the great influx setting
in from the East. Even Lebanon, that
stands like root in dry ground, is show
ing visible signs 10 enlarge her dimen-
sions and increase her population. For,
her enterprising citiains within the last
year, have actually put in the course of
construction one dwelling house. Froe-
mason's Hall, Good Templer's Lodge
tore down an old Jarn and set stump on
fire.
This, upon the part of the citizens of
Lebanon is unprecedented. and can be ac-
counted for, upon no plausible reasoning,
but, that they scent the iron horse afar
of, perceiving the start and outcome they
must either clear the track or he run over
by the fire snorting steed. Just at this
time the spirit of Lebanon enterprise is a
little diluted with the decoction of new
Eldcrado discovered east of the noun
tains 4 correspondent of the DEMO-
GRAFT lately visited the Paradise Found"
whose glowing account is abstraoting
largely from our town and vicinity. A
lost leaf from "Ochoco's" journal or some
other enchanted excursionist was acci-
IDENTIFY found containing the following po-
etical raphsody to the modern Land of
Canaan.
''There is a country, glorious country on ocho-
90 River;
Were to tell how it is you'd think tho like was
never.
The ground is full Of gold and the river runs
The rocks win make pudding and pie and the
elder sugar candy,
As you ride along the deer aud bear viii greet
you thus;
Here's knife and fork. and pono of bread--knock
down and eat us."
This marvellous 0choco country is sure
to have moving effect upon Lebanon
already several of the long rooted resi-.
dents of this place are pulling up with
the view of a transport cast of the noun
/ tains.
Thoir departure gives twinge of re.
gret, but they leave attractive openings
for others to take their places. Lebanon
offers peculiar attractions to those wish,
ing to take stock in pleasure, profit and
distinction. There is ample room for one
of the largest towns in the State, and j:
only wanting capital and population tc
make it so. The people are perfect mod
els of virtuous professions and chari
table practices. There is no venemou;
interchange of backbiting between neigh
bors-no defamatory reports set afoat
against good men and women, whose au
thor can be invariably traced to man
in tho mountain" The most cordial anG
ingenious intimacy is maintained in socie
ty and particularly upon the part of some
of the ladies who lay themselves oper
freely. The people are unexceptionably
temperate, which is owing to the Gooc
Templars, that have planted Lodge her,
/ Al. n. L. \