The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-03-29
The whitman Monument.

An effsrt is now being made by the pio-
neers and citizens generally of Oregon and
Washington to erect a monument to the
memory OF DR.. Marcus Whitman and wife,
and their associate dead" who were muir
dered by Indians at Waiilatpu Mission, near
Walla Walla, Nov Doth, lS47. This well
merited testimonial has been too long de-
layed, and should now be responded to by
most hearty and practical approval. DIR.
Whitmans connection with the earliest set
Element of the country by Americans, his
heroic and successful efforts in behalf of free
government and Christian civilization on this
coast, and finally his cruel death and mar
tyrdom, are matters of history perhaps gen.
orally well understood. But not as well
known and appreciated as they deserve to be
by the men and women of Oregon and Wash
ingten who now enjoy the blessings of that
free government, which he was so largely in
strumental in securing. DIR. Whitman emf
grated to this coast in 1886 and Mrs. Whit
man aud Mrs. Spaulding, who with her hus-
band accompanied him, were the first white
women ''who had ever crossed the Rocky
1
immigrants at Walla Walla in the fall OF
1912 DR.. Whitman was sueeringy told ROW
the Americans can whistle; the country is
ours" Ths Doctor replied, "The country is
not yours. | will cross the continent this
winter and bring an Immigration large
enough to settle it,. In two DAYS with an
Indian guide and a single travelling compan-
ION, he was on his way to the states. His
sufferings during this perlous winter pas
sage of nearly four months" were almost in
credible. But the heroic man kept his
promise. He FIRST went to Washington, and
bys earnest and patriotic efforts, induced
President Tyler and Secretary Webster to
with hold or suppress the treaty then almost
concluded by which this country twas to be
up given.to England Reaching Washing.
ton he sought an interview with President
Tyler and Daniel Webster, then Secretary
of State, and unfolded to them distinctly
what was going on. Here he learned that a
treaty was almost ready to be signed, in
which all this northwest Territory was to be
given up to England, and we were to have
greater facilities in catching fish. DR.. Whit
man labored to convince Mr.. Webster that
he was the victim OF false representations
with regard to the character of the region
and told him that he intended returning to
Oregon with train of emigrants. Mr.. Web
ster looking HIM full in the eye, asked him
if he would pledge himself to conduct train
of emigrants there in wagons. He prem
Used that he would. Then, said Mr.. Web
ster, this treaty shall be suppressed" And
it was done. DR.. Whitman having thus sue
eessfully terminated his grand work at
Washington, proceeded to return without
further delay, and reached Walla Walla
with his promised immigration, 500 strong,
in the fall of lS43, less than one year from
the time he bad made the promise and set
out upon the fearfuly responsible and peril
Gus undertaking. Thus we have briefly men,
toned some of the leading incidents which
entitle DIR. Whitman and his associates to
the lasting gratitude of their countrymen.
and especially of the people of Oregon and
Washington. Certainly such nobility of
character and such sacrifice of comfort and
of life, should be most tenderly remem bered
by the people and concentrated. as is pro-
posed, by a suitable monument. The mon
ument should certainly be erected upon the
spot where the massacre occurred, and that
we are informed is the intention. The estl-
mated cost is $500 Large subscriptions
are not generally expected, but numerous
ones are hoped for. We hope to see on the
part of the men and women of Vancouver
and Clarke county a willing and generous
response to this most commendsble and mer-
itorious call.