Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-02-26
PUGET SOUND:
IT'S PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.
[Concludod.1
eY eLWooo EVANS, ESQ.

Congress, IN 1898, set It of from Oregon,
nominating the new Territory Washing.
ten. Our people wanted it called Colum-
bia. No others were suggested, and it is
a singular coincidence that the names of
the two American vessels which first
plowed these waters should have been the
ouly ones considered appropriate for tho
new Territory. venture the assertion
that the committee of Congress which con-
fcrred our name, thought not of the little
brig Washington, which first made known
the extent Of this inland sea, and that the
convention of our people who memorial
lied for the new Territory of {. Columbia," !"
thought only Of the river, not the ship,
winch discovered and gave cause for the
nomination received by he father of west
ern waters Thus inyoluntarly tribute
was paid to bygone days and pioneer voya-
ges, in the admission that such names only
were proper for a land consecrated by such
famous deeds.
Most of our settlements had been made
prior to the passage Of the Organic Act,
but in several instances existed merely as
"a local habitation and name.' Some
sturdy pioneer had set himself down in
the heavy forest aud cut away enough
timber for little garden Here he erect
ed little cabin, and denying himself all
the luxurics and most of the comforts of
life, braved constant danger from his only
ncig ighbors, the Indians, who looked upon
his presence as an invasion Of their do
main. Solitary confinement and hard la
Dor in well-maintained penitentiary, d.
vested of the idea that they were penalties
for crime or imposed as restraint, were
luxuries compared to the voluntary PEN
ance suffered by the first Settler, in open
ing such country as ours to settlement.
How many Of these hermits became sac
rificc to savage perfidy; how many found
watery grave, when in quest Of food
or other ncccssaries, they were compelled
to make n voyage on these waters, in
some of the crude appliances for navi-
CATION, in use in those early days !;
how many were carried off by dis.
ease or exposure at these out.posts Of our
civilization, Heavens register alone con
tains the record. Humble as was their lot,
unheraldcd aud modest as was their labor,
unmissed though they departed from this
scene, yet the world received benefit by
their having lived in it. Here and there,
deserted cabins silently attest what these
heroic, solfsacridcing men undertook,
what risk the pioneer iucurs These q lost
of earth,' are entitled to gratitude; their
labors and their loss hallow the Past of
Puget Sound, teach US moro thoroughly to
lot ho md s.,I 80
our duty to those who in turn succeed us.
Our Present is full of wholesome, sub.
stantial reliance. That assurance is attrib-
utablc mainly to the fact that many of our
Puget Sound settlements have, during
much of fthcir existence been blessed with
the presence of women and children
There have been exceptions, however, and
in such instances, where the settlement
was exclusively masculine, or where the
restraint which the presence Of families
imposes was wanting, you know tho result.
True, from the nature of things, this licen-
tious freedom has been circumscribed by
the limited pursuit in those masculine set
Elements; but if you would appreciate the
natural consequence of such state of af-
fairs, carried ON to any great extent, the
carly American settlement of California H.
lustrates the principle. Men rushed there
from all portions of earth's circumference,
bent upon gain, and expecting the greater
results, because unhampered by. family re-
straiuts. Many honestly meant to acquire
fortune, return to early home, and ration
ally enjoy it, or share it with those depend
cnt upon them. The growth of the State
was masculine and unprecedented, but as
it strengthened what did California be-
come? Before lifespr property was safe,
before it was fit abiding place for female
virtue or youthful innocence, how severe
the process by which it was cmasculated.
1t required almost revolution to render
its condition such that it was safe to intro
duoe families. But happily, California
was redeemed from misrule and rapinc.
Women and children became part Of its
population. Tho family circle, with its
wholesome discipline, was incorporated as
an ingredient Of its settlement. Mob vio-
leuce and vigilance committees became
relics Of the past, and law and order were
respectable and respected. The healthy
current Of business pursuits now runs
steadily in legitimate channels, bringing
in its train substantial comfort and wealth.
The philosophy Of this must seem appar-
eut to all. A man Of family, separated
from such family, is i'll at ease with himself,
and consequently about as useful to him
self and to community As the fifth wheel
to coach. That unmarried man who
pretends that single-blessedncss" is .
matter Of choice, because it secures to him
immunity from the healthy restraint o.
family ties, does not recommend himself
by avowing such sentiments; for it is very
safe to believe, when you hear young
man cxult that no mother is near to curt
his indulgence ip sensual pleasure, no wifs