The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-17

can provide an opulent civilization, IL
large occupations and advantages can
broaden culture. IL position can give pow
er. and the meeting place of nations give
culture and cosmopolitanism then the Pa
cifc Northwest, which has all these. II
coming into an Inheritance prouder, no
bier than any OF the old world. and ex-
ceptional even for the Americas.
For whatever has at any era contrib
uted TO rear great, noble and puis-
tant nation exists. yes. abounds on the
banks OF the Oregan and by the shores
OF Puget sound. Greece had her noun
tains and sea. Mesopotamia and Egypt
their river valleys, Holland its rich sea
marshes. Russia her fertile plains, Italy,
Spain and the Rhine their terraced hills
and irrigation, France and England their
forests, Africa its treasure ore. China It's
coal beds. Newfoundland its fisheries, the
West Indies their fruits. The North Pa
cihc has all of these.
For natural contour IL Is Switzerland:
IL is Norway: IL is Scotland. II is, on the
west, ever green as Ireland. IL Is unique
In It's diversity.
THE Columbia river is the bright out
flow of several streams that tap mountain
lakes near the backbone of the continent
in British Columbia and Montana and
Idaho. Down sweeps its majestic stream
through the ore mountains, past great
herds OF oxen. beneath palisades and rock
castles in middle Washington. II at last
forms the fitting bound 10 the great states
of Washington and oregon.
AT the Dallas IL cut through nearly a
perpendicular mile OF rock, and as the
legend goes once cut under a stupendous
natural bridge Of stone, over which the
Indian stalked, counting himself favored
by the gods who had stretched this span
across the food.
When that bridge FELL as It did fall,
empire passed from the red men. The
earth shook. Above the seething cascade
I'm the slack water there stand deep be-.
meath the trunks OF forest trees TO bear
geologic evidence of the Indian tradition
a tale set forth with much weird fascina-
tion in The Bridge OF the Gods Then
we enter on the tidal reach OF the Colum,
hia, where IL sweeps past Majestic Hood
on its southern side, and the pure bosom
OF ST Helen's on the north, past the
rich alluvial plains OF the Willamette To
the sudden expanse OF the greatest ocean.
Neither Hudson or Rhine have such dig
nifty. such variety, such splendor. The
valleys OF the present state or oregon
arc among the quietest works man ever
discovered. Scarce any breeze for long
disturbs their repose. Soft sweet airs
, ripen n wealth of luscious fruits. The
ivy reaches often from house 60 house
and here and there in Portland ventures
across n street and binds nelghbor TO
neighbor In an affection embodied in the
tendrils and foliage OF a loving earth.
| Where the lofty frs are felled the farms
nostle like play gardens. looked on in
| amused indulgence by the Scared snow
Crests.
| air, a tract consecrated first OF God. then
| by the state. the crater OF dead volcano
| ten miles in span. is filled with an Icy
| clear lake. as III nature gave her cooling,
| healing touch 60 the torn bosom OF the
| earth. lt is the deepest fresh water IN
our country
I'm the eastern dryer land beyond the
| sharp Cascade range are great young
4 mines. as At Baker city, where another
Cripple Creek arises and ore beds aston
ishng To- the old miner.
| "In old Oregon, at its fall. first began
! North Pacific trade and manufacture.
| Thence went the first -four and stu from
| Portland and below the ships with wheat
/ sail out warily across the shifting CO.
| lumhia bar-a battling barrier TO what
| must therefore be more "a wonder stream
! than trade river"
| The paper closed as follows:
I "As the old Colonial house had great
| doors opening ont az each end OF its nall
| so our country. grown from colony %
| the stateiiest home OF man, has It's wide
/ eastern and western gates. 10 reaches q
! hand across the food To Europe and Asia
1 ready with upl1ted gates. not only foI
| the king OF glory. hut that the nations
4 may pass for their uplift and for brother
4 hood through our American home. givinG
\ TO us and gaining for themselves th'
4 finest fruits Of civilization"