The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-01-15


requisite to exercise great prudence
in the management of affairs, that
national prejudices might not be ex-
cited to the disruption of the cordial
relations existing, and necessary to
be maintained in the successful con-
duct of the government.
Civil authority in Oregon may be
said to have assumed a permanent
and dignifed character from the as
sumption of the administration of
affairs by Gov. Abernethy, and the
iudieious and efficient legislation
which ensued on the part Of the peo-
ple's representatives. The general
acceptance, if not the unanimous APP
proyal, Of the provisional govern
ment, by the settlers of all classes,
regardless of their attachments to
the forms of home governments,
made it strong and maintained its
jurisdiction. Under it life and prop
erty were protected. Schools, insti-
tutions and churches Aourished.
The community was prosperous and
happy. Contracts were maintained
aud the collection of debts enforced.
Specie being scarce, wheat was made
q legal tender in the payment Of all
demands. War was vigorously and
successfully prosecuted, In the
winter of 1S47 and 184S, and the
succeeding spring, three hundred
and fifty men were kept in the field,
east of the Cascade Mountains, in
offensive operations against the Cay
use Indians. In thirteen days from
the receipt of the information at the
seat of government, Oregon City, Of
the massacre of the missionaries and
immigrants at Wa-il-at-pu, o force Of
fifty armed men were in possession Of
the mission station at the Dalles of
the Columbia river, the key of the
position, having marched distance
Of one hundred and fifty miles. 1t
will be borne in mind that there
were no steam facilities for travel
and transportation in those days, and
that this march was made in the in
clement month OF December. The
legislature, then in session, author
lied the governor to organize force
of five hundred mounted volunteers
only about two-thirds of this num-
ber, however, were actually enrolled.
As fast as the companies could be
equipped they moved to the front by
the old pack trail up the Columbia
The two fights at the canyon of the
Des Chutes, in which the enemy
were driven each time with loss, oc-
Cured on the last two days of Feb
/ ruary. The battle of Umatilla
where the enemy were again repulset
with serious loss, was fought on tht
, I'd of March. On the 4th the ad
vance of the column occupied Wall
! at-pu, Whitman's Mission, now Wal
/ la Walla, three hundred miles ava.
! from the seat Of government and al
most the same distance from any set
j tlement Of note. Commissioners ac
companied the troops, authorized t.
, treat with the various tribes to pre-
vent their alliance with the Cayuses
!, in which they succeeded-the stead,
advance of the volunteers, and tn
, sharp and decisive fighting, proving
effectual ..v-.r ..
All this was q surprising displa,
of energy and power, and would b
I regarded as remarkable in the opoi
ations of any government; but in on
a so new and inexperienced as that G
n the pioneers Of Oregon, it must b
: proof eminently satisfactory as t
: the ability and efficiency Of it; thu
! it was not one only in name, but
n government founded in the esteeI
and sustained by the will and majei
i ty Of the people. The highest con
: pliment has peen bald to the inteG
"a rity and patriotism of those Amer
y cans who really created and admin
h istered this early organization, in tt
= simple circumstance that the ,greatt
: part Of those of foreign birth VII
J shared with them the fortunes Of thi
= government, as soon as an opportl
! nifty was afforded became citizens I
. . the United States. II is indicatiy
: of the good faith and honest dealin
which had characterized the associ
q ton. The coming generations, WI
!, are to build up the State Of Oregc
= to O scale competing with the gran,
. eur and power of other states, wi
the more and more appreciate IL
s work of their pioneers, as in the pc
. formance of that duty glimpses aft
% glimpses Of the grand future are di
+ closed. The highest regard will J
1 cherished for them when they sha
y have passed away, to live again
= the grateful stories of the tbrillir
= incidents Of frontier and wilderne
y life. Few deeds will be found wit
y in the period Of that pioneer rll
u which any one will care to have di
y claimed, or which will cause the lea
y reproach. The Oregon pionee
% were class Of men possessing Il
y superior virtues which make a sup
"a rior manhood. Already they ha
. been distinguished by the highe
% honors- the pulpit, on the benc
~ at the bar, as governors, as congres
v men, as senators. They did the
q work unostentiously, but did it we
ic !, in leaving a broad and substanti
y foundation, at least, for the mo
y complete and perfect work Of tho
~ Ut who we're TO come after them.
o. GEO. IT, CURRY.
P PORTLAND, March l, 1874.
O. A Detroit gentleman who pt
~ chased box Of peaches at the Ce