East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-05-28

sufficient reasons, when Oregon be-
came state no thought or considera-
ton was given to eastern Oregon in
the affairs Of government. Nearly
all Of her then residents had travelled
through this country on the old i'm
migrant road; 1t was not their OBJ
.1ective point, its climatic conditions
were not good and they were in search
OF wood and water and the sea level,
and protection from the Indians. At
the time of the admission of Oregon
Of this section We're few and
far between, and at one time
the whole of this territory was in
cluded in Wasco county. I would not
say an unkind word about Wasco
county, 1t is one.of the very best, but 1t
is fact that many people in the west
ern portion of the state still think that
Wasco county embraces the whole Of
eastern Oregon, and have but little
knowledge about the country or peo-
pie in the eastern portion of the state.
Under such conditions and for such
reason, no provision whatever was
made for eastern Oregon in the af-
fairs of government.
Yet We are bound together by ties
of race and kindred blood, and time
railroads and future developments will
overcome the original tastes and OBJ
jections Of the early pioneers, and
give to this section of the state a
growth and population which will Sc
cure the position and consideration
in the affairs of the government to
which it is justly entitled, and cause
the prosperous, beautiful fertile Will
lamette valley to look well to its lau
rels. What eastern Oregon needs is
people, money and brains to develop
her resources, and first, last and all
the time is harmony of interests and
unity of strength.
This is a country of magnificent
distances and great possibilities. Large
areas of land which were once waste,
the home Of the jackrabbit and coy
ote, through the magic touch of wa
ter and sunshine are yielding bounti-
full harvests, erecting beautiful homes
and giving peace, joy and pride to a
happy and prosperous people. Nature
has done much for eastern Oregon. 1t
is no reflection on the pioneer that
he did not fully grasp or comprehend
her resources, and that many golden
opportunity was lost. Such opportu-
mites exist now and will be lost by
your children, who, in years to come,
will sit around the family fireside and
taIt olI ta
unborn.
The pioneer has lived a long, event.
full, useful life. 1t was not spent on
"flowery beds of ease" with modern
comforts, of wealth and luxury. With
him labor and toll was a matter of ne
cessity and by instinct and nature
was a matter Of choice. In those
days, there were no specialists or
skilled workmen. Every man was his
own specialist and his own workman.
In those days nobody said Let
George do it," for there were no
Georges, and the only way to get
anything done was to do it yourself
From nature in her primitive state
and with his own hands, the pioneer
erected his home, carved his own for
tune. created this state and dedicated
her soil to the American flag. His
life is now in the setting sun. His
pleasures are now found in the men,
ories of youth in the log cabin and
the trusty old rifle; and may the
youth of this generation look with
pride, admiration and respect upon
his manly face, his feeble step and
his gray hair, and may it inspire them
to honor and revere the deeds, hard
ships, struggles and memories of the
old pioneer.