The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1917-02-22
ADMISSION DAY
Is CELEBRATED
WOMAN'S CLUB PROVIDES PROGRAM
Pioneer History and Indian Legends Form
Subjects Of Interesting Addresses
Oregon Songs Rendered

With the assembly hall of the library
building handsomely decorated with
flags and with the shrubbery of the
county, the members of the Woman's
club, with many friends present, cele-
brated Admission day Wednesday af-
ternoon of last week, when Oregon was
IS years of age.
Addresses were delivered by Mrs. C.
j. Crandall, of The Dalles, j. d. Lee,
of Portland, and E. L. Smith. Mrs.
Crandall related most interestingly in
cidents of visit to Hood River in 1862.
She also at that time visited the few
inhabitants of the White Salmon coun.
try.
Mr.. Smith, who perhaps knows bet
ter than any other man today in the
Northwest the legends of the mid
Columbia Indians, related to the wo-
men and their friends number of
those of local significance. Mr.. Smith,
one of the Northwest's most eloquent
men, was in fine fettle on the afternoon
of the celebration, and his talk was
brilliantly entertaining.
Mr.. Lees address was of historical
value. Portions of it dealing with
early Oregon history follow:
The trail of the early immigrant
passed not far from where we are
standing. 1t has become historic. 1t
is to be improved and adorned as
great national highway. 1t will be
traveresed by thousands. There is a
way in which all can and should travel
the path of the pioneer. 1t is the path
of rectitude. of integrity, of heroism, of
self sacrifice, that they followed. They
were patriotic, self reliant, true vir-
tues essential to the perpetuity and
well being of the community and of the
republic.
| used the word aborigines. Did
use it correctly? We're they the first
inhabitants of the country? Archaeol-
ogists say no. A people more enlight-
ened but less warlike had given way,
presumably, before the spear and bow
and superior value of the Siwash. He
held the country by conquest, an uncer-
tain tenure liable to be challenged by
some other tribe or nation. He had
| ignored the great command to go forth
and conquer the earth and subdue it.
He had thereby forfeited no doubt, the
right of eminent domain, but his ejec-
tion was in many cases ruthless and he
was not promptly provided proper
home. His own malignant cruelty Of
ten made it hard for his conquerors to
be generous, though their inclination
to be so was not ordinarily very strong.
These observations form basis for
historical discussion in almost any di.
rection.
Today is an anniversary. A few re-
minders relating to it will not, ! trust,
be amiss. Just when serious thought
of occupation of the country began |
will not stop to discuss. My first allu-
sion is the advent of Jason Lee, the
great missionary and colonizer, and his
associates in 1884. They were succeed
ed by Rev. Samuel Parker and DR..
Marcus Whitman in 1886. Fathers
Blanchett and Dauers, little latter.
AS these were religious movements !
have grouped them. Capt. Wyeth and
others came during the interval. AT
ter the arrival of the Lausanne early
in 1840 incidents pointed to permanent
settlement. The influx of Canadian
French began about that time. Hun
ters, trappers and agents of the Hud-
son Bay Co. had long travelled the
country gathering furs and pelts, but
had made no settlements. DR.. John
Mclaughlin, who afterward endeared
himself to so many by his great heart
and generosity, located in Vancouver
in 1924.
Il In 1841 agitation for the formation
of a simple government began. 1t
grew into discussion. Meetings were
held. will not go into detail.
On May 2, 1843, at Champoeg, on the
bank of the Willamette river, the final
meeting was held. The voters attend
ing by vote of So to so expressed
their preference for the United States
! and proceeded to organize little re-
/ public to which was given the name OF
the provincial government. t." A most
simple Judiciary was provided. An
executive committee of three was
named, who should direct the govern
ment and execute the laws, Hill, Gale
| and Babcock.
Reason was seen for single execu.
tive head and Geo. Alternately was
chosen governor and continued so until
superseded by Jos. Lane, territorial
governor in 1849. March 8.
UP to June Is, 1886, the country had
been jointly held by Great Britain and
the U. S. under the treaties of joint
occupation of 1918 and 1927. At that
date, June Is, '46, the treaty between
the two nations was signed by James
Buchanan, secretary of state for the
| United States, and Richard Packen'
ham, plenipotentiary for Great Britain,
/ making the 49th degree of north lati.
tude the boundary.
The first considerable immigration
/ was in 1s43. Followed in 1874, anC
much larger in 1845. Notwithstanding
\ the treaty the U. S. did not take
formal action to extend its jurisdiction
Il over the territory until August l6,
II 1848. was then a resident of Ore
gon, being nearly three weeks old
II THAT is why remember so well these
early events).
Gen. Jos. Lane was appointed terri
torial governor by President Polk, but
| did not reach Oregon City, the seat Of
government, until March 2, 1849. Or
the 3rd, next day, he issued his pro
| clamation and territorial organization
began the day before the expiration oi
| President Polk's term. Oregon's pop
| ulation was then $685. President Zach
ary Taylor was inaugurated. He oil
| his vice presidential successor, Millart
/ Fillmore, rendered the Oregon cover
/ norship to Abraham Lincoln, but hi
|, declined it. Following Gen. Lane wert
4 governors John P. Gaines, j. w. Davis
and Geo. L. Curry. In 1851 California
H was admitted as state and agitation
H for Oregon's admission began. Al
every session of the legislature, whicl
then met annually sometimes at Ore
III O.o.r, Ctr irnoS af Salar,n and nnn,