Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-10-27
Speakers Laud
Pioneer Work
OF Jason Lee

"Hei boVefnor OtCOtt, IN an ad-
dress here yesterday afternoon at
ceremonies attendant at the unveii-
ing of the portrait of Jason Lee.
recognized by historians as the
round of civiliza tion in Oregon.
said it was his wish that the dav
would arrive when a president of
the United States would unveiI in
the national capitol at Washington.
IN one of the inches set aside for
Oregon and her great men, a nor.
tralt or bust of this great figure,
ne lnaugurated a movement which
prominent members of the Oregon
conference of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and other admirers
or the early-day missionary believe
VIII terminate In true representa-
ton of this state in the congress
sional hall of fame.
1T is fitting in the extreme. I"
SAID Governor Olcott. that the Dor
trait of Jason Lee should banr nare
ABOVE the speakers desk in the
capitol of the state which he gave
TO our nation; in the capital city
where he founded the first school
TO be established on the western
coast of North America: in the
capital city which he founded and
lived in its first dwelling house. Bv
every right of achievement, by ev-
cry right of peaceful conquest. the
portrait of Jason Lee should adorn
the halls of the capitol building as
long as the capitol building shall
endure"
Pioneer Woman Speaks.
Mrs. Maria Campbell Smith of
PORTLAND, first white child born in
Salem, appeared gowned in the
bridal robe of her sister, who came
around the Horn with Jason Lee
on his second trip to the state. In
her "reminiscences Mrs. Smith said
one of her most tender memories
OF her mother was that it had been
her privilege to have associated
with Jason Lee and other pioneers
OF that age. She recalled that up
on the eve of Lucy Anna Lees ad.
vent into the, world she was held
upon the lap of Jason Lee.
Bishop w. o. Shepherd of the
oregon conference paid tribute to
Jason Lee as a physical giant and
a man who possessed unusual intel
iect, character. statemanship. .cuI-
ture and sincerity of purpose. ia
son Lee was a providential char
acter, said Bishop Shepherd,
'schosen as Abraham and Moses.
Lincoln and Washington, to be the
seviors of our people,"
Robert A. Booth of Eugene, son
or pioneer circuit rider of Ore
gon. dwelt upon the great courage
OF Jason Lee and compared him
with the pioneers of the middle
west and the later settlers, whose
aim was to establish homes and
prosper.
Christianity Basis.
Christianity is the base of all
modern governments worthy of the
NAME" said w. c. Hawley. repre-.
sentative. although not all of our
great men are active in church, if
you will study their ancestry you
will find they were reared in Chris
tian homes or had the opportunities
of Christian education"
Edgar B. Piper, editor of the
Oregonian, reflected the thought of
Governor Olcott when he said that
something should be done to fill a
riche in the congressional hall of
fame with a likeness of Jason Lee.
Speaking on the subject. IF Jason
Lee Had Not Come" Mr.. Piper said
that the teachings and the achieve
ments of the great early day mis-
sionary had been the vital link that
lad bound Oregon to the east.
Presentation of the portrait to
Governor Olcott for unveiling was
made by Thomas A. Mcbride. chief
Justice of the Oregon supreme
court. He spoke in iaudatory terms
of Jason Lee and referred to him
as a parsonage whose life could
we'll be emuiated by the people OF
the present day.
OIcott Unveils Portrait.
Other numbers on the program
included prayer by Rev. John Par
sons. formal unveiIing of the por-
trait by Governor Olcott, original
poem by Rev. w. S. Gordon. singing
by assemblage. benediction by Rev.
NJ. o. Wire and informal talk by
T. T. Geer, ex-governor of Oregon.
The ceremonies were held in the
house of Representatives in the state
lcapitol, which had been beautiful-
" decorated.
Following the ceremonies church
dignitaries. ministers and laymen
went to the Jason Lee cemetery
where the graves of Jason Lee, his
Ftvo wives and child were strewn
with flowers
zDr. c. c. Cline of Portland pre-
sided at the ceremonies which were