Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-10-31

of these events precipitated interna-
tional complications, aroused atten-
tion in the East, aud raised the war.
cry, "hfty.four-forty or fight" even
tually resulted in the treaty Of 1916,
which make the Oregon country part
of the territory of the United States,
and destined thereafter to form three
Of the stars in the galaxy OF the
union.
In 1s48 the territory Of Oregon was
organized under the act Of congress,
and the provisional government
was superseded. The territory had
now legal autonomy, aud enjoyed the
protection Of the United States. The
people felt secure In their rights and
In the expectation Of reaping the re.
wards of their industry. A good gov
ernment is always blessing. Busl-
ness felt the impulse OF greater ac>
tivlty; the trades were more numer-
Gus and remuneratlVe, property be-
came more desirable; the professions
afforded opportunity for preferment,
and we're stimulated to ambition; the
population steadily increased, and
the country showed everywhere signs
OF progress and prosperity. Under
the impetus Of these causes the
transition OF Oregon from a terri
tory to commonwealth quickly fol-
lowed, covering a little over a de-
cade.
A convention was called TO draft a
constitution. 1t was composed OF
men Of marked ability and great
individual character. Nobody could
be found in any community better
qualified to discharge the important
trust committed TO them. There
was among them that diversity Of
talent and experience which is essen
tlal TO a right comprehension OF their
duties-that loye OF law and order
which is the basis OF all well-regu-
lated governments-that knowledge
Of existing conditions which pecul-
iarly lifted them to draft constltu-
tion embodying those principles OF
constitutional freedom which upheld
social order, maintain the public
peace, promote political progress and
Undue men with that high sense OF
loyalty and independence necessary Ia
the upbuildlng OF prosperous and free
states, The constitution drafted by
them was not code OF self-operatlnp
laws, but declaration Of those great
principles for establishing justice and
promoting the &c neral welfare, which
derive vitality and become operative
through the action Of the different
branches OF government.
There were some Limitations OF
power In special instances, but only In
such cases as experience had demon
sirated 20 be essential TO the preser-
walton OF liberty and the stability OF
the state. With this constitution as
her chart, Oregon,as our ship of state
some less than 40 years ago was
launched on the ocean Of political
life, and, guided by IL, she has beer
able 20 keep her course through tho
darkness OF night, and 20 find baven'
OF rest from the Wild waves OF the
tempest. To the noble men an6
women whose sacrifices and achieve
me nts rescued Oregon and built ouI
state, we owe debt OF gratitude. VIZ
ought TO recount their noble deeds u
our children for imitation and exam
pie, and cherish their memory II
grateful recollection. We ought u
show our appreciation OF their labori
aud services by Loyalty serving ouI
state. and preserving its franchises OF
liberty.
have an abiding faith In the
future OF Oregon. With It's great re
sources aHd many natural advant
ages, Oregon is destined 10 grow
anu develop and become great anC
prosperous under industrial inhu
ences and Commercial enterprise
Her fields are fertile, her forests arr
studded with timber, her mountain
are full OF mineral wealth, her river
are navlgable and stocked will
marketable fish, her har0Ors are COM
modious, her water powers numerous
her scenery beautiful. and her clmat'
healtAful. To cut the tall fir from OF
her hills and bare their SUBMITS u
the sunlight OF heaven, 10 conver
plains and waste places into cult
yated field homes, TO delve the moan
tains and extract her ores, TO sub
ject her waterpOwer 10 uses OF man
ufacturing enterprise, TO whiten he
rivers with the sails OF commerce, an
stud her shores with the marts o
trade, TO make her harbers a SAT
, refuge TO the mariner from storm
aud tempest, 10 deylOp all these var
lous resources aud subject them Z
the use, profit aud happiness OF man
kind will demaod our best eneTg
and highest intelligence.
] lt is true that our growth Ia popu
latiOn aud accumulated wealth ha
! been slow, but II has been steady an
} certain, and without booms, pr muc
) private or public Indebtedness. Ou
laws are humane and equitable, an
Justice is administered with prompt
ness and impartlality. Our people d
not prone 10 rlotOus conduct, or 10 d
violence 10 person or property, bu