The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1890-08-09
Our Columbia.
The DALLEs, Aug. 4, lS9

1HE DALLES, aug. 4, loJU.
Editor TINES -MouNTANErR:
The Columbia opposite this city is an his
toric stream. In 1920 when the Hudson
Bay post was established here the batteaux
OF the Canadian yoyageurs shot the rapids
and laid their wealth of furs at the feet of
the managers. The broad bosom of the
river was then furrowed by the rythmic
stroke of the oar of the happy boatmen,
and during certain seasonsof the year large
bands of Indians congregated on the banks
and sang their dirges in their wild, savage
style. The Dalles was then the mart of
trade for the Indians of the northwest, and
the waters of the river were tine sportiye
place of canoes. Still later ON, when the
Hudson's bay fort was forced to be aban-
doned on account of Indian hostilities the
river still held its sway as the great con-
mercIal outlet of the northwest. Then
came the era of civilization, when steam
propelled craft through its limpid
current, and these burdened with produce
found their way to seaboard. 1t is a
mighty, gigantic stream, the peer of any on
the western hemisphere, and should be the
the means of communication of the interior
with the seaboard. While cogitating on
these remiseences, 1 think on The DalIes
with its many natural advantages, and how
absolutely dead it has been to all its oppor-
tunities., If enterprise or business pluck had
been exerted, the grand old Columbia-the
father of waters on the western side of the
hemisphere-would have long ago resounded
to the whistle of opposition steamboats,,
and the produce of this garden spot of the
Inland Empire would have foated onward
to the sea. unimpeded by any railroad cor
poration. l am glad the shops have been
taken away from this city, and would be
happy if every board were removed from
the buildings. Then, and not till then,
will this point, the gateway of the interior
northwest. awaken to realization of its
advantages, and battle manfully for the
commercial supremacy of the northwest.
Rivers have been the arteries of commerce
during the past and will be for the future.
No country can advance without it has
highway to the ocean, and Eastern Oregon
has the most magnificent stream for this
purpose on the western continent. The
only trouble is that some of our merchants
are afraid of the railroad company. and
others have not the necessary grit to make
any forward movement. In fifty years
from date. when the present capitalists
shall have slumbered in the dust, this city |
-impelled by new and young blood-will |
take stride forward, and not till then, Mr.. |
Editor, when you and 1 will be numbered |
with the ''clods of the valley" will the edi-
torials you have written on the subject be |
appreciated. Without any intention at |
flattery, l can assure you the bound files of |
the TIMES s-MoUNTAINEERwiI be more eager.
ly sought fifty years from hence than the |
daily issue is to-day. You haye done a noble
work for the future, and. although 1 may
not live to see the day, my children will |
when the great Columbia of the west will |
float to seaboard the commerce of an en-
pire. un qualled in extent and richness by
any country on the face os the globe. The
present and past partake OF the atmosphere
of the graveyard; the future is made lumi-
nous and bright by the promises of enter
prise and energy. NosTRA.