Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1879-01-10
Prospects Ahead.

We all want to know Of the future
and the predictions are as varied as the
different interests and hopes of men
could make them. The uniform opinion
is entertained that the future of this
eastern country is bright. Some claim
it to come Immediately. and some at
more remote period. The settlement of
tho Indian question is one that enters
largely into the estimates of future
prosperity, and this is SO largely de-
pendant upon circumstances over which
our people have at present no control
that all prophecies are given with a
proviso. The universal hope is that tho
Indian bureau will be forced to sur.
render to more practical and safe pol
icy than what is now in the ascendant
at Washington. But every induces of
the movements of the Indian bureau
are against surrender or a change of
policy, and this, too, IN face Of the
most clear evidence of the disasters
which this policy entails upon the set.
tiers, as well as subversive of justice
to the Indians themselves. Congress,
through tho opportunities of the peo-
pie and the press Of the frontier settle
ments and the influence of army Of
fcers, may itself make the change in
the teeth Of the opposition Of the In
dian bureau. The necessities of the
situation may demand that Congress do
this, in which event the people will feel
relief and build still more bright aud
enduring hopes of the future of this
Northwest coast. Another item in the
provisos regarding this country is the
opening Of the portages at the Cascades
and Dalles Of the Columbia to conru-
uous navigation from Lewiston to tide
water, and the consequent reduction Of
the prices Of freight. The Government
has inaugurated good work by its APP
preparations made for the canal and
locks at the Cascades. The people
tremblingly hope to sec that the Gov.
ernment continues this with vigor till
both portages ara open. But the se-
cret efforts to retard this work have
room for some doubts Of the early CON,
pletion of this work. Another item
entering into these provisos is the prob
n5le construction of the Northern Pa.
cifc railroad across the Cascades to
Puget Sound at an early day. The
faith Of many is destroyed in the North
ern Pacific enterprise being started at
this end Of the line for several years
hence, while others are equally san
guine that the present year will witness
the grading Of the road for most of the
distance from the mouth of Snake river
TO the west side Of the Cascades. The
hopes Of our settlers are bright and dim
alternately, as they have faith or doubt
in the purposes Of this company. A
few build hopes upon the Walla Walla
4 Seattle Company to save them from
along pent up future in case the North
ern Pacific remain idle on this coast.
So far as the prospect Of increasing
population is concerned, the tide of inn
migration has so fully set towards this
section Of country from the States and
Territories, east and south Of us, tina,
hardly any one predicts that it will re
ceive any considerable chsck for two or
three years to come, whether Indian
difficulties are settled or not, or whether
or not the Columbia river is open to the
mouth OF the Cascades is spanned by a
railroad during the next ten years. The
fact is that, with all the drawbacks we
have, our country is far better to live
in and to gain a competency in, as we'll
as livelihood, than any one of the
States or Territories we could name,
aud this fact is fast geining notoriety
abroad, and will be made more appar-
ent tor years to come. This of itself
is an encouraging prospect to our set
tiers, and should render them satisfied
20 remain where they are and struggle
to bring about as many other advan.
tsges desired as they possibly can, and
not to struggle es those without hope.
It took the Almighty himself six days
to make the world, and if we can do
away with the Indians. open the Colum.
bia river and span the Cascades with a
railroad in course Of 20 years. we will