The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-05-21
MsKrNzIE ANp nAnRIsnuno cANAl..
HlRnlaRURa, May l7th. 1875.


Q The more we consider the pecu
8 liarities OF Oregon, the more firml,
: are we convinced Of the superlativ,
e advantages that begin to unfold
D themselves and must eyentuate some
r where in the future in a grand exhi
8 bition Of physical energy and beauty
3 distinguishing the people Of the
! Willamette Valley as the most pro
gressive, independent and happy OF
the Western continent, We have
all the primary and essential condi-
tons, when quickened by the trans
: forming touch Of practical science, to
! warrant these conclusions. There
is fixed law 10 nature that every
given result must undergo a season
of preparation before reaching the
acme of the design oftentimes ap-
parently encountering, but in the
end proves to have been necessary
agencies in the development of the
design. We are led to these reAec-
tons by noticing the feeble and ap-
parently pointless opposition to the
Mckenzie and Harrisburg Canal.
i Our people, being conscious of the
unrivalled resources of the Upper
Willamette Valley and surrounding
region and the bright future that
beckons them to action, determined
to open a canal from Spores Ferry
on the Mckenzie river to Harrisburg
on the Willamette, expecting the aid
and cooperation Of the people in this
vicinity, and especially along the line
OF the canal, but to our surprise no
soonerwas the enterprise inaugurated
than II. B. Cochran appeared in a
public communication, without hope
OF feeorreward, as the volunteer cham
pion of an imaginary canal from Nc
Kenzie to Albany, sayasely eriticizing
the acts and motives of the people of
Harrisburg, alleging that they had
neither the ability or intention to
build the canal. Through the same
medium. though we trust with diff
ferent and better spirit, we repelled
the soft impeachment by single
statement of facts, believing he was
laboring under an innocent delusion,
thinking so soon as he should dis
cover his mistake he would withdraw
the charge, but much to our aston
ishment and regret he confronts us
again with a rehash Of his old dish
with someextra spice stirred into the
reviling compound. Now, we do not
propose to notice his last effort with
the view Of meeting any argument or
reason, for it has neither. tits point
less, ridiculous and silly. But refer
to it in part for the purpose of i'm
parting to our esteemed friend some
useful information that ho stands
wofully in need Of, and must have
before he can rise to correct and
intelligent investigation of the canal
question. In part to apprise the
people interested of some important
facts connected with the subject.
Mr.. G. in his last, starts out by
supposing us venal TOOL in the
"canine" paws of the people of Har-
risburg to suppress all "oppisition to
the Harrisburg canal and its special
interests" We have only to say
what we did in that respect was free
and voluntary, without aid or solici-
tation from any person living. For
the act we disclaim any merit or CEN
sure from friend or foe. Inthis con-
nection he proudly testifies to the
vital importance Of the enterprise,
then with graceless deliberation reit-
crates his baseless assertion that our
letter indicates that the people Of
Harrisburg don't want the canal
built by any company. If there is a
word in the entire letter that will
bear that Interpretation, our language
has betrayed us. Every sentiment oi
our convictions rise up in revolt
against it, and thus it is with the en-.
tire people Of Harrisburg, It is with
decided reluctance that we give to
the public the cause that prompts
him to suppose we mean to do moth
ing. In his first letter he indicated
that the leveling We did was the
actual surveyed line of the canal,
and proceeded to comment upon the
iniudicious section Of the line. Be
lieying it to be a strategic sally to
conceal some Of the ugly outlines Of
his position, and having no desire
to expose his ignorance or deception,
We simply stated that the leveling &C.
cOmplished everything intended,
that the route is feasible. In his
last, he assumes the same position
and invests il with such significance
that II is certain that he believes that
the line Of levels is the actual sur
veyed line Of the canal This seems
so unreasonable when applied to a
man Of his prominence, experience
I