The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-10-26


ingmen's order; and when perfection
shall follow on our line of march, then
may the purpose justly demand its object
and not till thea shall our work be fin
lished.
would that / were better acquainted
with the former history Of Oregon, thatI
might be able to draw more correct cou-
clpsions in approximating Tie chain Of
circdmstances connected with its growth.
But assured that am that some ut least,
| If not many, of you were among its
lest settlers, with your recollection of
past experiences, frightened by every
days occurrences, fully able to realize the
rapid change which. within n very limited
period has come over part Of that tract
Of country lying along the western slope
Of the Rocky Mountains. As the time
that shall continue to address you must
necessarily be brief, | shall now address
my remarks more particularly to the pre-.
sent appearances and future prospects of
this Pacific State Blessed with n mild,
salubrlous climate, its winters, although
some may deem them disagreeabIe, arc
admirably suited to the interests Of the
Istock-raising and the farming classes,
while its summers would rival those Of
the beautiful Italy. With large scope
Of country, embracing sixty millions Of
acres, much Of which is susceptible Of
cultivation, and only awaits the indomita-
bic energy aud practical skill Of the agri-
cuturist TO make fruitful naturally fer.
tile soil, with its western borders resting
upon the great Pacific, and two nayigable
rivers flowing through and draining a
largo portion of arabic land, associating
with it the ocean trade, and affording a
mcaus By which its productions are acces-
| sibe TO markets Ofthc outer world-with
| fisheries cf almost unlimited extent, and
lumbcring facilities Of no little value in
connection with building purpcses-witl,
many good aud lasting water privileges,
ready to leud the motive power in driving
tho machinery Of mills. and Of vast i'm
portanoc to any agricultural country
with iron Of a superior quality and in
abundance 10 more than supply the home
demand in all of tho practical uses to
which it is adapted gold, silver aud cop
per added 10 the list of precious metals
abouuding in nearly every range Of noun
tains within its jurisdiction. With all
of these evidences of the mot attractive
aud choicest of natures handiworks are
We not justified in expressing the opinion
that the natural resources OF Oregon
would bear favorable comparison with
many if not all of the old Eastern States.
Comparatively speaking Oregon is still
in its infancy, yet as VIC glance over the
pages Of improvement already written in
her youthful career, the mind is directed
into one channel of thOught-that our
State assumes 4 character Of permanence
and importance oommenduble Of admira.
ton in the opinion Of her sisters, aud en-
tilling her to the respect of every country
inhabitel by the civilized portions oi
mankind all traces Of former barbarism
arc fast becoming extinct under the au-
spicious influences of better society, and
| the spell OF quictudc but few years ago
rested upon her landscape from border TO
border, has been broken By the hustle
and commotiog of an industrious people,
whose aim is to walk in the higher roads
of life. beautiful farms With good sub
s,antial buildings cover the valleys, table.
lands and hll.siacs, yielding rich harycsts,
through the skillful management and
well-regulatcd ltusbandry of their occu.
pants aud owners. Thriving towns and
cities have :aker the places of temporary
trading posts tanncries, foundries, ma
chine shops and mills of different dcscrip,
lions have been established in many por.
tions of the State, and are now actively
engaged assisting other ayocations in
bringing forth useful results for private
and public good. There is no lack Of in
terest in view to education. and school.
Of learning are scattered everywhere
throughout the land, affording AZ opportu
nifty tantamount to the wants of'the pres
ent youths in the all-importaut acquisi
tions of knowledge
Having but briefly alluded to some o
the leading characteristics of our State
let Us now look TO matters for future con
sideration and action. And as our farm
ing interests are invaluable, not only Will
our present social position, but with th,
progress VIC may hereafter make, nov
ask your attention for few moments L
that particular AS We have before OBJ
served, agriculture is the first step to in
dependence and greatness; mechanism
manufacture, and all other pursuits follow
in the wake Of its productions.
Fellow farmers, in what may say per
tanning to our vocation, | do it, not witt
d view to dictate or command, but as al
appeal to your own good sense and judg
ment. Experience hath shown us tha
without system there is seldom success
and this rule is applicable alike to a
cases wherever man is dependant upol
his own energies for subsistence. The re
suits of farming are governed more b.
the process of tilling than by the amour
of land cultivated. AS we look to the sol
as the great source of remuneration, t
guard we'll its properties should receiv
our first attention, aud to strengthen 1t
capacity the first object of our thoughts
A successful farmer will learn and appre
cate the value of manure overtaxatiou
without replenishing the soil, Of continu
ed length will exhaust tho most fertil
land, while sterile wastes through artificia
means are made productive, and to appl
fertilizing substances to our fields is to eS
tend their powers and prolong their frui
fulness. Then let US give to the soil tha
which it freely gives to US, and our rewar
shall be hundred fold. Order shoul
be the basis of our domestic affairs, an
nothing left for the morrow that shoul