The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-01-11

visions may naturally be considered
as one. Their progress has been iden-
tical. And in the changes now COM
ing and to come they will share COM
mon growth and enjoy common for
tune. More rapid progress is now ap-
parent than at any time In their his
tory. Hitherto their growth has been
slow. Since the first settlers came,
more than forty years have elapsed.
In much less time very populous states
have sprung up elsewhere. Kansas
and Nebraska (which are now great
states), crossed by the early emigra-
ton to the Pacific slope, at that day
had not white inhabitant. They
now contain two millions of people.
Oregon has been settled longer than
Minnesota; yet Minnesota contains
population Of nearly million. The
slowness of our growth has been due
to easily perceived and often explained
causes, chief among which are our dis
tance from the centers of population
and our lack of railway connection.
Besides, our section has been over
shadowed by California, and till re-
Gently regarded as little more than o
dependency of that state. There has
been growth indeed, and rapid growth,
but had Oregon and Washington with
their climate, soil and varied attrac-
tions. been as easy of access as Kan
sas, Minnesota and Iowa, their popu-
lation would now be numbered by
millions, and every interest would
have attained corresponding proper
tions.
Fortunately, however, this period of
isolation may now be regarded as
practically at an end. The present
year will give us railway communi-
cation with the east. Local railways,
building and to be built, will speedily
reach all the more important parts of
| Oregon and Washington. Boundless
capacity for development Is being dis
covered as energy and capital are COM
bining upon it. The Pacific north
west will grow as whole. Oregon
and Washington have common his
tory and will share common destiny.
In geographical feature they are very
similar. Their resources are common.
Both abound in fertile lands. Both
have great resources in timber, iron,
coal, the precious metals, pastures and
fisheries. In time-and the time is
| not distant-they will become two of
| the greatest wheat and wool produc-
ing states in the union. They will
| also become manufacturing states; but
we must expect their development in
| this direction to be slower. Yet there
are here all the natural facilities and
most of the necessasy raw material for
| staple manufactures; and by the time
there is sufficient consumption to start
| a profitable market we shall have a
well developed manufacturing indus
try.
In moral, social and educational adj
| vancement Oregon and Washington
have long and worthily held high
place. In some Of these respects it
may be doubted whether the intro
duction of the new and powerful ma
teral forces now beginning TO move
and operate among us will produce a
change for the better. New elements
will be introduced which will disturb
old conditions and produce many new
consequences. A community long
isolated will be obliged to absorb and
assimilate new and powerful forces,
and the operation is sure to produce
an important reflex action and effect
upon ITSELF But in the end social pro-
gress is the invariable consequence of
these admixtures and resulting
changes; in fact the contact of people
with people and of race with race, and
the stimulating effect of such contact
on all the classes participating in 1t,
may well be considered the main NOV
ing force of progress in civilized life.
We have in Oregon and Washington
q population composed of the very
best material. In intelligence, moral
ity, love of order and all the qualifica-
tions Of good citizenship, it will COM
pare favorably with any equal pcpu-
lation in the United States. Paradox
ial as the statement may at first ap-
pear, the remoteness Of our people
| frsm the centres Of social, political
and Industrial activity has given them
a wide horizon. 1t has enlarged or
| extended the range Of vision; ii has
enabled them to take in the whole
country and indeed the whole world;
and to avoid the mistake so common
among men OF supposing that ones
own locality IL the most import..
center. Thought, observation, exper-
Hence, obtain wider range from the
exertion and travel necessary to reach
the last remaining portion OF the
country which can now be called "the
north west;n and the toilsome march
across the plains of thirty or thirty
five years ago to this day bears fruit
in the character of thousands among
US.
Washington IL entitled to admission
into the union on All equality with the
other states. and to the additional con-
alteration which admission would
Uive her Her ponulafiou il now three