The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-07-03
DRAWS LESSON
FROM PIONEERS

Meacham, Ore.-(A. .)-President
Harding and his party went back to
| the days of Oregon's pioneers today.
Arriving at nine O'Clock they entered
whole heartedly into the old Oregon
trail celebration. Horsemen wearing
cavalry uniforms of the civil war days
met the special train a mile from the
station and galloped along the side
until it came to a stop. Then the
cowboys and the COW girls rode up to
present their greetings to this wes-
tern country.
In Smallest Town
President Harding faced the most
strenuous days program of his
western trip in the smallest town yet
visited. The occasion is the Oregon
trail celebration and the town is Mea-
cham, Oregon, and with a population
of 81 persons. The towns popula-
ton, however, augmented greatly by
visitors from all parts of the state
and adjoining states. The president
will deliver the dedication speech for
the old Oregon trail and otherwise
take part in the program throughout
the day.
Speaking at exercises commemorate
blazing of the Oregon trail, the exc
cutive declared the American people
owe to those pioneers a debt of graft
tude which they never can repay.
Their victory, he asserted, proclaimed
the strength of resolute purpose to
do for themselves, not asking the
government to do, but for government
only to sanction or permit
We may reasonably do more to-
day. he said, than rejoice in pos
session of the imperial domain which
they revealed, and the life they made
possible to the verile, aspiring and
confident northwest. I find new as
surances in recalling the heroism. the
resolution, the will to conquer of
these pioneers.
&c wish I might more effectively
visualize them. Not very long ago I
saw the covered wagon in the moving
picture. 1 sat entranced. There was
more than the picturesque, more than
sorrow and discouragement, more
than appealing characters and en-
thralling heroism There was more
than the revelation of the irreso1ute,
who failed in fitness to survive, more
than tragedy and comedy in their in
separable blend. There was more
than the scouts who surpassed our
fancies, more than natures relentless
barriers revealed Everywhere aflame
was the soul of unalterable purpose
and the commanding sturdiness of
elemental greatness. Still more, there
was determination to do themselves.
not asking the government to do, but
for government only to sanction or
permit.
Much the same spirit was revealed
in the making of the central west.
where the determined pioneers builded
in the confidence which they had in
themselves. They battled with nature
and every obstacle which they en-
countered, heroes perished without
fames acclaim, and they conquered
and wrote big their part in the MAX
ing of the greater republic. Their
victory proclaimed the strength of re-
solute purpose, and the human genius,
confidence in itself and eager to
achieve on it's own account
The lesson can not fail to impress
itself. In this test of self-reliant
citizenship there came the rugged,
militant, wholesome west Greater
things were wrought larger accomp-
lishment was recorded, greater vic
tory was won in this wholesome in
spring individua1ism than will ever
attend paternalism or government as
Of the tasks which are the
natural Inheritance Of the builders
who may better serve for themselves.
The government nav wall nrovide
but the worthwhile ac-
c@''' rlirh hrn ont is the privilege and the
duty of men"