The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-07
oREooN's ANNIVERSARIES.
A semi-Centennisl That Deserves Cele-
brstion Next Year.


A remarkable and unusual interest Is
manifested in events OF the pioneer
era, says the Oregonian- The census
reminds US OF earlier enumerations.
Whttman's story IL revived In many
forms. Historical societies are busy
with vanished tongues and half-gotten
dates. The manifestation OF the his
toric spirH usually gathers about or
else Itself promotes the celebration of
some anniversary. really or reputedly
vital In cts bearing on epoch-making
history. Such was the case. for exam
pie. with the centennial celebration OF
the discovery of the Columbia river,
held at Astoria in 1892. This was the
first centennial for Oregon Dt Is likely
to be tthe last for some time, as no
event of such moment took place for
years following Captain Gray's event
full cruise in May. 1892. The next cele-
bration of this nature for Oregon Is
likely ITO be n semi-ceutennial Of some
sort. Dates have gone by which might
have been commegnorated for the
flight and growth of 80 years.
Thus. in the religious world. the year
1884 was memorable for the arrival in
the willamette valley of Jason and
Daniel Lee. Cyrus Shepard and p. l..
Edwards. It was Sept. Is OF that year
that they reached Vancouver and were
welcomed by DR.. Mclaughlin: and
Nov. 3 that they took possession OF
their log house mission 10 miles south
OF Salem. The year 1898 went by with
out the celebration OF the semi-cen1en-
NAL of the formation Of the FIRST regu-
lar government in Oregon. This was
provided July 5. 1s43, by the choice OF
David Hill. Alanson Beers and Joseph
Gale as the executive committee OF the
territory. Other memorable dates.
whose semi-centennials. however. have
not yet arrived. are the creation OF the
regular territorial government by Gov
ernor Lane. March 3, 1S49. and the
passage. Feb. ~. 1859. of uhe bill ad-
hitting Oregon into the union. These
events are likely to be commemorated
when the time comes. This year 1895
Will soon be gone, and " is the 50th
since the election and accession ITO the
chair OF George Abernethy. territorial
and first governor OF Oregon. With
lands settlement. An infant city was
here 80 years ago to-day. with bound
aries established and blocks stalxed on
But II semi-centennial were want
ed the year drawing on apace Is the
50th since one as eventfu1 az amy for
Oregon. perhaps the future may show
for the American nation. It was In
1886 that the momentous Oregon ques-
tfon was sertled: that war was begun
nd that California was wreetsd from
NJ xican rule. This year also saw the
publication OF the first American news
paper on the Pacific coa.st-the Oregon
Spectator. at Oregon City. II frat APP
peared Feb. 16. The date Of greatest
interest IN Oregon in that year was
June Is. when the treaty was ratified
settling once and for all the Oregon
question. and putting to an end Joint
occupation. with Its uncertain tenure
and vague dangers. There VIII never
be another time In the history OF this
state more At for the celebration Of
old Oregon by new Oregon-the blend
ing OF the pioneer spirit with the new
gospel of sek-help. The home industry
and economical movements of to-day
are only a revival of the pioneer idea.
The pioneers OF 1886 are few enough to-
day. The anniversaries are also few
In which they can yet participate.