The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1881-09-14
RENINIsCENCEs OF OREGON SET.
TLEMEST.
rag oKEGox xErHoDpr xIssIox,

in"an SNHHihk soon ceased % De- an occl-
patton OF the Mission. The work changed 70
ministsring 70 the white settlers who were
gathering In The Wailamet Valley. A II
strengthened 10 influence with those settlers.
its power became q political lever ~ much a.
moral agency. 1be missionaries had CON-
meneed Their labor IN the education aud care of
indian children. Time and money had been
literally expended, at first witb seeming ASA.
rance OF success. The building OF the enlarged
MISSION ochooi House Ia 1912. al an expense OF
ten thousand dollars. had been sueceeded by
remarkable mortality Of Indian children. A
humber OF them died. which Occzsioned a
number To run away aud the parents OF others
10 withdraw their children. The attempt u
educate Indian yoath thus and then met with
lis qnetus. As the only rational hope Of trans
forming an Indian Is 10 alternating hin while a
youth from Indian customs aud trad dtions with
The refusal of the Indian yoHths 70 submit o.
missionary teaching. Indian civilization eea sed
10 be part OF the missionary labor. The
missionaries coatinged 10 receive and instruct
those ineians who would receive instruction.
but their efforts being unappreciated by the
native. they turned their active attention 10 the
American settlers the white population who
bad commenced the trznsmutat,on Of W4liamet
Valley into an American community. who
will deny that It was lar preferable 10 preach u
the whites who were settling aroand the
Mission. or their claims 70 religious teaching
Here we're Intelligent perSons Of theIS Uwn
race engaged In mechanical branches, in culti-
waiting the extensive Misslon farms, in caring
for tbe rapidly lnescassng stock Of cattle and
horses. The Missiou had developed into
wealth producing community. It's power was
10 continue by ~ acquiring and retaining in
faence with the increasing population. IL had
become q candidate for popular favor. From
Its farms, stores and granaries, IL could furaish
sdstenance, supply necessary implements for
the pursuit OF husbandry or mechanical voca-
tons. IL could not only furnish employment,
it eould supply its employees with all the
necessaries ot HE. Community was as de-
pendent upon 70 for temporal wasts as for
spiritual food. The reinforcement of 1910 no
longer meant Indian mission--it was colonza-
ton-Powsr, moral. social, political.
The world will hathly criticise those who.
having dedicated themselves " service which
requires self denial and sacrifice, abandoned
such for more tasteful or more profitable EN-
ployment, even though the latter be more
beneficial 10 humanity. more practical Of good
results. The erection of mills The successful
pursuit OF trade, the cultivation Of lands, the
holding u office. are all benefits 10 our race
they are also sources OF wealth. But engaging
In such pursuits will not be accepted as mis-
sionary labor for mans spiritual welfare.
Large tracts OF land had been taken by the
Mission for tself-each member had located
his section Of land. The Mission supported
large force Of employees. The country was
without established government or laws; there
was no agency 10 restrain lawlessness but the
presence Of missionaries. Il was a Recognized
associate power and the settler early learned 10
look up TO the Mission. 10 recognise its author
ity, ~ defer 10 Its leading members. Nor
was II slow to assert that authority thus coU-
ferred, 10 exercise that control " which the
settler had voluntarily submitted. Thus its
members acquired inhnence in the community
through their connection with the MIssion. II
greed tor gain or personal ambition may have
prompted some 70 use that power at variance
with the precepts OF the Gospel which they
were sent 70 Oregon 10 impsrt TO the indians
the individual should be condemned; the Mis-
sion should only be censured where IL partiei.
pated In the wrong, shared 10 the profit or
suffered wrong TO pass unrebuked committed
by its members.
Located Ia the wallamei Valley the Mission
became the nucleus Of American settlers. IL
sympalhized with them, its leading members
mingled with the people, the Mission moulded
the public opinion. As the country received
accessions OF population, its complexion and
its purposes Materially changed. The number
OF children had increased, and was constantly
increasing. How means for their education
were 10 be provided tscame o subject OF vital
popular interest. Tie li;tle community looked
TO the Mission for educational opportunities.
Jason Lee responded 70 the popular wish. He
called q meeting ct his residence on the 18th
January ,lS42, OF the members OF The Missisn
and eli frieodly 10 sducation. a commltsee
was appointed combating Of Or. Babcock and
Rev. Messrs. Lealie and Hines, 10 report q plan
for an institution OF learning. On the LIST Of
February, 1S42, an adjourned meeting was
held a the Oregon Mission House, the old
bailding erected by Mr.. lee in 1884. Demon.
nationally, this movement might he regarded
rs Methodist, yet friends of education, ire
spectve OF sect, partieipated, prominent among
whom was Rev. Harvey CLARK, Congregation
allsi. Thns and then was inaugurated the
Oregon Institute. New Trustees were elected
and u committee appointed 70 locate q site
On the 9th OF March thrS 4 the trustees
were appointed % draft a Constitution and by
laws. aud 10 prepare an address to the citizens
embodying subscription paper. On the 18th
adopted. The Institute un< 80 commence as
IN scademcal boarding school, TO be converted
o. early a. praeslcsble Into an university.
| Although designed tor white chldrsn, person
Of color who prodnced eerslhcste OF good
moral character. aud eeuid read. write and
speak The Enslish innguage inteliigibly. could
| gain admis>ion. Notailsy and pIeiy. rs wen rs
tie promosaea Of science, bang its purposcs, II
was 70 Be placed andGf the supervision OF some
Two thirds OF ne Board ef Trasiees were % be
members Of the religious denomination who
took the institute under Is patronage. Until
such denominatianAl character should be ascer.
tained subscribers Of fifty dollars and upwards
were authorized TO transact the business. A
| ffty dollar subscription conferred the right d
participate In meetings Of business. Five hsp
dfed dollars enitled is subscriber 20 scholar
ship, the right ior tuition OF one at all tunes
thereafter 70 himself and his heirs When the
subscriptions amounted TO tour thousand dol
! lars, the brildings were 10 be erected. a he
| subscriptions were made payable oue-third
| cash, aEd the remainder in cattle, lumber
wheat, or property delivered st the Institute al
market priees Money was then unknown in
Oregon. Cash uesat accepted orders ethel
| upon the Mission sf 0Fegen City Or upon ths
| Four thousand doliars were promptly suo
scribed On the 26zh October the Methods
| Episcopal Church Of Oregon pledged itself q
sustain the oregon institute. and thus it bee2m.
| q Methodist insiitaiioa.
On the 19th May, isl3. the rabscriben 70 sh,
Institute met at Wallace Praisse-ths seieetes
site. Previous proceedings were ratified. ans
the 0rs9on Insesnte Was formally transferred
| % the Methodist Episcopal Church M Oregon
BY November l6th. isAS. the bshdinss ha'
heen erected at . cost Of three thousand dol
iars. under the supervision Of wIllam u. Gray
General superintendent and Secular Agent.
Al The ff& annpzi meeting OF the Trustees
Rev. Jason Lee was elected President an,
selected ~ agent 70 visis The Atlantic States 3
solicit fands and Donations for = library, appa
ratus and other educational appliances
The Nlssion and Its prominent member
1 Eesiousiy entered into al popular enterprises
By estshlishing the Institute . had ensmende
ii.eif % popular sympathy aed support An
secular vofA which proneed teaeft 70 th
masses, or wealth or influence 20 she Mission
| was sa.r 70 secure i'm hearty CO. o-operation, th