The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-04-23

The story of the discovery, explora-
zion and settlement of the Oregon
country, to which the Lewis and Clark
Centennial exposition at Portland Is
drawing the attention. of the world
presents some OF the most astounding
aspects, Perhaps the fact that arouses
The greatest degree OF astonishment
In the up-to-date, hustling citizens OF
today is that such long period OF
time was required for taking possess
sion of this vast territory after its dis
euvery and exploration.
The coast line OF Oregon and Wash
Kngton was known 10 mariners genera
tioris before the interior was explored,
and maps more or less accurate were
made from time to time. Spanish,
Dutch, British and Russian navigators
MED with each other in exploring the
coast but practically no attempt was
made to explore the interior Of the
country until President Jefferson. a
hundred years ago, sent Meriweathel.
Lewis and william Clark from St.
Louis up the Missouri river TO its
neadwaters across the mountains and
plains and down the Columbia river
to its mouth.
But even after Uncle Sam, with that
rare Yankee shrewdness. which he Is
supposed to possess, had penetrated
this great unknown territory. bisecting
It from side to side, it was more than
90 years before anything like a definite
intention OF settlement and occupation
took form.
True, there was dispute as to its
ownership Great Britain and the
United States both claimed the Ore
gon country, and each appeared to
have some color of title Yet ii re-
Guired 40 years to settle this matter,
and during all that time Oregon ana
washington and Idaho-as now named
and known-remains a wilderness
with but struggling settlement here
and there, and those settlements har-
3ssed by hostile Indians and exposed
20 the natural perils Of remote out
posts.
The history of the actual develop.
ment of oregon and her sister states |
In the territory acquired by treaty |
with Great Britain in 1876 is the his
tory Of less than so years of heroic |
effort and high achievement. Ameri. |
ca was discovered 413 years ago. |
jamestown was colonized by the Eng |
iish 2gS years ago. Plymouth Rock |
was touched by the tread of the May
flower pilgrim 2s5 years ago. American
independence was declared 129 years
ago. Lewis and Clark crossed the con-
unent to the Pacific northwest 100
years ago. The United States finally
acquired the Oregon country by right
Of discovery and exploration and after
60 years of haggling and juggling, 50
years ago. : NiEN
But after getting our clutches firm,
b fixed upon this Oregon country, we
aaye pushed forward the work of de-
Selopment with gratifying rapidity,
With the extension of the railroad and
NE invention of the telegraph, distance
has ben annihilated--and it was dis,
lance which was the main factor i'm
Keeping this great region undeveIoped
Tor so many generations after the east
.rn part Of America was settled. The
Pacific coast was so remote from civ-
iization that one felt, as Joaquin Mil
er has expressed it. that It was a
and that even Col had forgotten. Now
{ is but few days trip by rail from
View York and a few seconds time by
Tire from any point east or west.
Great as has been the development
n the past 60 years, Oregon and her
lister states Of the Pacific west are
IS yet comparatively infants There is
oom for many millions of people in
.ddition to those now living in these
tates, and the Lewis and Clark expo
ition no doubt will be the means of
lrawing a large increase of desirable
population.