The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-12-31
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTS.

Ing fancies homeward, taking with us,
as the stage-coach bore US on, the hap
piest reflections concerning the place
and people, and promising that we
would some day visit both Dayton aud
Waitsburg again.
A half days staging returned us to
Walla Walla, where we were engaged
to lecture one evening under the auspi-
ces of the Library Association. The
society procured the Methodist Church
for the lecture, which was not as lib
orally patronized as the occasion de-
manded, owing in part to the extreme
inclemency of the weather, and in part
to the general dislike of the Western
people to attend intellectual feasts
where the pay is demanded before the
repast has been given. 1t was thought
that benefit to the Library Association
would rouse the local pride of the citi-
zens, when a lecturer from a distance
was willing to bestow it, but it seems
impossible, as yet, to educate the masses
to the idea of a lecture, with a door fee
in advance, for any object, however
worthy. A fair audience, however, was
present, and the lecture upon "Young
America" was received with special fa-
vor by both press and people.
Although the use of the Methodist
Church was allowed for a lecture in
tended as q local benefit, one recalci-
trant trustee, who doubtless judged US
by himself, and therefore thought that
God must be protected from our lectures
or His whole economy of salvation
would be overthrown, objected to it's
further use; and the other four men in
authority, endeavoring to saddle the
blame upon the one man who dared to
openly express his opinion, decided that
we couldn't have it for the next even
ing, because they wanted to keep peace
in their ranks. Peace that is kept at
the expense of principle isn't worth
having; but you couldn't make an aver
age modern Pharisee who says to an
other, "Stand thou there! I am hoher
than thou" believe anything of the
kind. We were not sorry that the little
church was closed, for it wouldn't have
held the people; SO we called upon a
gentleman who had the key to the
United Brethren's ample and commodi-
Gus church building, and he took the re-
sponsibility to let US have it, provided
we would light and heat it and pay ex-
penses, which we eheerfully agreed to
do. In this church, whose members in
authority have sufficient faith in the re-
ligion they profess to believe that we
would not be able to bring reproach upon
it, even if we so desired, we met on Friday
evening a fine, intelligent, aud appre-
ciative audience, to whom we spoke for
two hours upon the advantages of
Liberty"
During the day, while we were upon
the street, in company with the gentle
man who had kindly volunteered to Sc
cure us place to lecture, we went to
look at the courtroom. Upon calling
at the sheriff's Office to get the key, the
gentleman inquired for the incumbent
of the important county office above
named, and was Informed by a good
looking boy that said dignitary was alb
sent. We turned away to walk up the
stairs and look at the room, when 10
and behold man, who was a stranger
to us, and whom we afterwards learned
was the deputy sheriff, emerged from
the office, and not needing our presence,
began very offensive wordy assault
upon the aforesaid gentleman, accusing
him of writing anonymous letters"
and threatening him with divers and
sundry condign punishments of peace
breaking character, that scared us out
of years growth.
"This way" said our gentlemanly
guide, indicating the stairway, and
without appearing to heed the assault OF
his enemy.
A gentleman occupied the courtroom
with school, which we looked in upon
for q moment, and then, deciding that
the room was too small for the lectures,
returned to the hotel, quite thankful
that there was one church in Walla
Wslla that had more religion than big
Otry in its organization.
We also visited the Library rooms,
and are pleased to note that the Associa-
ton, under the superintendent Of Mr..
Isham, Librarian, is in a fiourishing
condition.
On Saturday evening, when the sub
ject of the lecture was "Co-operative
Homes" it seemed that the windows of
Heaven were opened. Such deluge of
rain, as would make even the denizens
of Webfoot willing to stay in out of the
wet, came down upon the city that we
abandoned the idea of lecturing; but
Colonel Cock, an elderly gentleman
who is strong in the faith of human
rights, came by for us, although the
wind and rain kept his excellent wife at
home. We decided that we could stand
the storm if he could, and ventured out,
meeting at the church, in spite of the
pouring floods, about two dozen ladies,
and one of the finest looking congrega-
tions Of young men we ever met any
where. five were a marriageable young
lady we'd emigrate to Walla Walla,