The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-05-03
MONUMENT IS UNVEILED
ADDRESSES BY GOV. r. +. GEER
AND OTHERS.
Distinguished Company at Cham
pOeg Yesterday to Celebrate
Historic Anniversary.

ional government WAS fittingiy cele-
brated yesterday at champoeg. where
monument was unveiled erected on
the site Of the famous meeting that
held Oregon 10 the United States. r.
X. Matthew. the only living survivor Of
the meeting drew the veil from the
monument and among the distinguished
guests present were Gov T. T. Geer.
Hon. John Mimic. Rev n K Hines.
Hon Harvey W. Scott r. X Mathieu
and visitors from every section Of the
state.
The following program was observed:
Music Union COrnet Band
Invocation Rev. r. $. Knight
Introductory address. Gov. r. T. Geer.
Address THE Provisional Govern
mcnt." Hon. n. w. Scott.
tnvelllnR Of the Monument.
Music Union COrnet Band.
Address. The Relations Of the Ore
gon Missionaries 10 the Provisional
Government" Rev. H. X. Hines. d. d.
Address "Thc Relations of the Amer
lean Immigrants. including the Noun
tain Men. - the Provisional Govern
ment." Hon. John Mimic.
Benedict n. Rev. p. S. Knight.
Music. Union Cornst Band
Governor Geer sail In part
THE historic event whOse 18th ami
versary we meet on this occasion 70
commemorate was Of greater import
ance and has been more far-seelnR In It's
consequences than could have been sup
posed by any NJ those who took part
I'm lts proceedings when upon this
exact spot rs years ago today. Joe
Meek In hls impulsIvely patriotic man
nrr called for a division" and taking
his stand apart from the others. asked
all thOse Who were In favor OF a1 or
RtniZntIon 20 follow him. he could not
have for"seen. neither could his COM
patriots. the future great commonwealth
TO bc reared upon an enduring foun-
dalton. the cornerstone Of which was
that day 50 dramatically provided. But
all governments have .her beginnings.
and wher" they are not the result Of
a revolutionary overthrow of some for
mer one. but spring from the necessi-
ties Of pioneer settlers thCv are usual
" the offspring u an unselfish en-
dravcr and a purpose % protect life.
liberty and property impar,ially and ef-
fectually.
~ truthful recital Of the cIrcum-
stances surrounding the early occupa-
ton and settlement NJ Oregon reads Ike
werl-preparel romance. The situe-
ton was wholly unlike that pertaining
To the early occupancy Of any other
portion u our entire country. When the
early American immigrants begin to
come here IN considerable numbers. the
Oregon country was not part Of any
nation. hut was resting under a not
we'll defined claim Of both he United
States AMI of Grea. Britain. II was.
Indeed an indepen lent community. real
" owing allegiance to 10 higher pow
er and was. In fact, for some years
after It's inception a Ture democracy.
The early settlers referred - the Unit
ed States ms foreign country. The
early archives are ful n such refer
ences. and as lat" as the lIth Of De-
cember 1SI7. the legislature passed an
&C: approprilt'ng $500 TO iefraY the
expenses Of Il, Meek as fpecial mes
senger 20 the United states
1T IL both interesting and profitable
to note that the carly efforts toward
establishing a civll government We're
marked nv that simplicity pnl sturdy
economy that Oh lrac'9r'Z@1 ne pioneers
In their daily lives, II was the ground
work for that pralomin1ting feature In
our present state constitution, inserted
bv tho successors Of those men In lat
er decade, which limits the number Of
state officers performing the principal
duties II the state government below
that prevailing IN any other state In the
Union"
The address of the Hon Harvey W.
Scott president N :he Oregon Histor-
icil Society. was a splendid review Of
the causes leading up 10 the famous
meeting rs effec: on the later develop
mcnt Of Oregon and the character Of
pioneers. who made the achievement
possible. The other addresses We're in
teresting and full Of historical data
hearing on the event commemorated In
the days ceremonies. Hundreds Of