The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-12-15
THE NORTHWEST.
MINING, NUMBERING AND FARM
ING INTERESTS.
A Vast UNEMPLOYED Territory-State Of
Oregon and Washington and Idaho
Territories of Life in
that Section.
Correspondence of The CECIL WHICH,

November 80, 1888.
Very few people have any conception
of tn, extent and vastuess of the West,
especially that known as the Northwest
comprising the State of Oregon and
Washington and Idaho Territories. Here
we have large and fertile valleys for the
farmer, boundless forests for the lumber
men, and Lofty hills and towering noun
tains inviting artists to climb, drink in
the invigorating air and paint the grand
achievements of nature.
Large bodies of water that would float
the navys of the world; mineral wealth
untold medical lakes for the invalid; a
mild climate for the delicate and highly
variable one is found here for those who
love the "spice of life."
Notwithstanding these attractive fea-
lures, this country lacks an essential
element to lift from lethargy of years.
The great lever needed is energetic
men, supported by generous encourage
ment from Uncle Sam.
The genus homo who have grasped
the mighty dollar" in this country are
content to invest in cattle, sheep or
horses, and then turn them loose on the
''bounty of Providence" and then ''sit
and sing themselves away to everlasting
bliss" knowing that, as the animals
Craze peacefully ''upon a thousad hills"
they can chew the end of satisfaction
and spit indepent of all, while the men en-
gagged in tilling the soil are deluded NOR
tails from the East, who have been led 10
give up comfortable homes under the
false impression that dangling from
every tree were fortunes only waiting to
be plucked. These unfortunate creatures
have to pillow and labor for years before
they can secure place called home; and
just as they have accomplished this end
and commence to say sweet are the
uses of adversely, along comes the ubi-
quitous tax collector and process of
slow death to real estate commences.
Here are massive natural amphithea-
tres, on whose stages adventures have
played the many parts" allotted them
by Shakespeare. The frowning peaks of
nature have watched the dead march of
these players from their entrance 10 the
first act of buoyancy until the curtain fell
age, sans fortune, sans ambition, sans,
health, sans everything.
Gold has been the alluring will-of-the-
wisp that stranded many on the sands of
failure, while landing others high aid
dry ON the rocks of success and fabulous
wealth.
Portland, the metropolis of The North
west, is thriving city of thirty thous-
and souls. 1t is rapidly increasing and
has Il flattering future before it.
1t is said to be the richest city, in pro-
portion to population, in the world ex-
cept one, Frankfort on-the- Main.
1t is situated on the Willowsette river
in valley Of the same name, about one
hundred and thirty five miles from the
ocean
1t has all the airs of Metropolitan
city-electric lights, large hotels, massive
banks, beautiful churches, and peopled
with shrewd, active business men.
The Northern Pacific Railroad and all
Experimentation lines centre here.
Large and lively equipped steamers ply
between San Francisco and here, and
lines run all along the coast from Mexico
to Alaska, as we'll as an extensive foreign
commerce.
Puget Sound, one of the boundaries
between Washington Territory and Her
Majesty's soil, is one of the largest and
most natural harbors of the world The
Great Eastern could steam up to the
wharf at Seattle, one of the most prom
Using towns on the coast. 1t is supposed
the ocean terminus of the Northern
Pacific Railroad will be here.
Our letter does not afford time nor
space to describe the country infinitely,
bat will say something regarding the
grand scenery of this region. A steam
down the Columbia river cannot b, ex-
celled in the world for wild and weird
q andeur.
On the edge of this beautiful stream is
a modern Venice, Astoria, town named
in honor of John Jacob Astor, who first
established trading port there some
years ago. 1t is built on piles in the river
aud thus the town has natural system
of sewerage. 1t is mostly inhabited by
those engaged in the extensive salmon
fisheries and canneries.
Looking from the deck Of a coaster, be-
yond the forrest clad hills with their ever
green trees, you see three towering noun
tain peaks, lifting their snowy pinions
skyward until they almost seem to kiss
the heavens. 1t is grand sight to see
this trio of Mt. Hood, Rainer and Adams
rising thousands of feet in the air and
covered with perpetual snow, looking like
stole sentinels watching the land of their
nativity Their shadows only lost amid
the larger one of old Shasta who lifts his
head just over the rolling pillows of Pa
cific's domain, and behind whose massive
form Old Sol passes on his dominal trip
to illuminate other climes.
But we have no time to go farther and
must throw out an anchor, and say that
to appreciate this country one must see
it. P. G. p.