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About Oregon spectator. (Oregon City, O.T. [i.e. Or.]) 1846-1855 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 1846)
m m ii ?Pil H"' stained by slaughters, massacres and routs ; and we have new wn n inttanoo of such wide-spread villainy at that of Titus Gates and others, in England. Such a scheme could not succeed among' our honest and shrewd iiopulation. Our experience has denxmstim tod that the popular principle in our govern ment, is eminently practical as well as beau tiful in theory. Our historywill conclusive. Iv show, that the American people have, in tho main, selected the most able and upright men for public officers ; and that talents and integrity have not gone forgotten and un known. And the reason of this is plain and obvious. Every citizen has a direct inlercat in nu honest and just administration of the government ; and although the people may sometimes dismiss an honest and able officer tor specious reasons, they are certain not to retain in office an unfaithful incumbent. It may be safely said, that in any civilized community, where there is honesty enough to obey a judicious system of laws, there is always intelligence enough to appreciate them'. The nature of our popular institu tions has tausht men to know their rights, it has made them acquainted with the limits of power, has brought the governors and the L'overned into so close a union, that there is that politeness and attention to the wants of the community, to be found among our om cers, that does not exist among tho officers of other governments. But this principle has not only taught our people to resist oppres. mod on tho part of those in power, and to watch with jealous vigilance the adminis tion of their government; but it has led them to resist imposition even in private life, conio from what quarter it may. And the freedom of speech and of tho press, in our country, though some times abused, has had the most beneficial influenco in society. Public cen. sure is a great check upon vico, and public approbation is a great rewarder of virtue. The honest mind, conscious of its own integ. rity of purpose, will not perhaps be driven from its course by ill-timed censure; but the dishonest man, equally conscious of his own turpitude, will tremble beforo that public censure, which he too well knows ho justly merit. Permit me now, my fellow.citizens, to tug. gest a few considerations upon other points of our subject, lite subject ot education (mat most noblo cnlightener of the human mind) has received in the United States very great attention. Our statesmen have acted upon the principle, that a few people, in whose hands arc placed the sacred deposits of lib. erty, won and left by our forefathers, should be intelligent. Congress has made liberal donations of land for purposes of education; and in many states a system of free schools has been successfully put in operation. The census of 1840 has shown that in some of the states, where free schools are common, that only about one out of every hundred males of tho ago of 20 or upwards, could neither, read nor write. Our national literature, it is true, docs not yet equal that of the oldest nations of the world; but this is owing to our youth, and to our want of those greater fa. cilities which they enjoy. But it may be said, that intelligence is moro extensively diffused among the great moss in America, than in any portion of tho world. And this is more especially true as regards a knowledge of our government ; for you will scarcely meet a man, in our country, however ignorant he may bo on other subjects, that does not fully know and understand his rights as a citizen. Tho progress of manufactures in our coun try has been most rapid; so much so, that all the useful articles can be, and are now made at home, with the exception of needles. The value of manufactured articles in Massachu setts alone far exceeds all the exports of the cntiro union; and such has been our wonder ful progress in this branch of industry, that it will very soon be difficult fijr our govern ment to raise an adequate revenue by the im position of a tariff upon imports. And while our progress in manufactures has been thus gratifying, our progress in agriculture and commerce has been equally successful. The census of 1840 exhibited the enormous value of the agricultural productions of our coun try. Commerce baa extended to every nook and corner of the habitable globe, and our ships fill every sea; and the day is rapidly approaching when our commerce will be sec ond tpthat of no nation on earth. I will now say something in relation to the territory and population of our oountry. At the period of the Americantrevolution we had. a population of about three millions, and we have now a K)tulution f more than twenty millions. When our present constitution was formed, wo had thirteen status, wu have now twenty-nine. Wo havo now a territory suf ficient to contain thrcu hundred millions pop. ulation, and at tho samo rute of increase, in seventy years more wo shall have u popula tion of more than one hundred and thirty three millions, at tho least three times us Lmanv ns the largest state in Europe. Our ivt to nay, that" many years will not have irccitlhlo damage. W learn by ihw wnval that pissed by, until the whole of North Amaricu L P '" "I"" f March, no deriwvr nrlion had taken y compose one mighty family of peaceful I place between the government of the I'nitrd Him sites; and this by tho frco and unbiased mid (treat llritaln with regard In Oregon. Tho m-iiMo aoice of tho people themselves, for we do not i of the U. States went kUII debuting llw resolution pam sck, as president l'olk Bays, " to ox I end our ! !y tin- lower hem-, to give, to Omit llntinu the givcrumcnt over u roluctant people." , neccwary notion to u trnninntion of the convention of And now, my follow-citizcns. let me say a IH1H, mhnilting Urn right of joint -Mimlion. Thcn fw words in relation to ourselves here in wu no doubt the. resolution would mm, Imt n amend- friH'Oll. Wu. IiL'k imr fiirf'fiitlinrw urn in n , ...I ... i.. I....... .1 . 1, ..-i..,. ....... u .il. il... ..... ;.!.. til fi. 'government is one of the mightiest on earth, ( n-w world; hut unlike them, wo did not flee . tin- notice or not tu might went to him eHdnnt having its territories all compactly united to. fom oppression. Uur government never op. . This wiu advocated by both particH in the mimic in u gcthcr, and not consisting of detached par-. pusses tiny of its people. We havo torn our-1 nce meiuuire, unl not designed in clow tin- door to eels, difficult and expensive to govern. Our slves asunder from friends and early u.vso. r,.,,Pwrd negotiation. No preparation.. u.r.. nuking country has a soil unequalled in fertility, and ' cations ; and through the wide desert, have ,,, u,,. u. sinien for a remit other than ncucctul to the a climate varying from the frozen regionsof, rude our way to the shores of the great Pa- , iiiement of ih qurhtion. 'IV Ki.gl..hi:.N.n.tw.ur. Maine to the mild and sunny plains of Texas, ' die. Our minds naturally revert to the y (. ,,. (. wil, )llir w ,,. moderate ..l ,m- uuu ,w3l-c- immense muiimumiruig, eoiu- jiiiisiiig seuiies m timer "ays. vur eotmiry , Clfipilll ,. WIIJ(.,.,. s,r Robert IVel hud hud In-fore merciat and agricultural advantages, prmlu. ttat we Have loll bohiml, we have not lnrgi.it. urmm..nt w ..-.. .....l intentm... m regard u. the. cmg within herself almost every staple arti- j fn, nor ran we forget. The people of oth- , ,, nrlicl ,.r ,,, , ,,. ... adv.,. cle necessary lor man s consumption, or for I c lands may scorn our iml.li principles, hut ! ,.,,. nw, , ,. r , ,- . ,., ,,, nll(, manufactures, tt grow the largest ,K.rt.on , e will eher.M them ever. Wo ar" here , , mlmmu ,, lll)lllv ,.,,,. , lif (llltl(.H of Indian corn, tobacco, and cotton, in the frre emphatically in a new world-are .win- j w j. f ,, ',, !irtir,., Ilf fw ,., world. We have the means ol national great-, nntlv distinguished bv nature. We hav .. .. . r., ,, I f-u iii until 1 n iiii im nut ri iit- p mi' " r ness at home. Our territories are invulnera- treat agricultural, commercial, mid manti ble ut homo to any foreign power, for such ' ficturing advantages, and we are here to de is their prodigious extent, that no invading vlopcthcm. (ireat improvements have been foe could penetrate to the interior. Our in-1 nade in Oregon since I first saw it. Our in ternal facilities for commerce are immense; , distry has been untiring, and our valleys and and such has liecn tho improvements in steam, pains now exhibit large and well cultivnti l mil rami, nml nnnnl Irnnstmrtntmn. flint u' tiriiw (In r nnum.cj i niiiiirr.L W'n viil'. --1 .... ..... .. .......v.. , ...... ... -.-... ..Up;B ,.,., ... .... .. ... -. .. . .,.-, could eoneeiitrnte n. iiiiirlitv nrmv nt nnv iriv. . (Vr. it is f rnc. nil tin. iiif.niii-riiiiiwiiu nf imu- t"" ''u',0,' n nnihl u;iI..'m Oll.lnvc' 'PI... i.rnr'...u ..' ,. I,, . I..11 I... .... ........... .i:... I ..II il...i 'IV l'. .Slalewlliadroii, .HIIM.IHI, our fuvnrably rereed in our country, ciecially ly the producing Muter, ami would dmihtleMi cull lor a mmhI.u reduction of diitien 111 the I'. Slati i. on m.inufuf lured articles. Ily llnut fniUerviug mutual iiiterertn, the ln-rl feeliligx were etcitid, nod all mllijicls going Hw In national dim-rciict. Iikvlv to In- fac ilitad d l -.n Inl oint, within SO daw. Tin. progress of cumtrics ; hut ln who expects to find all the I "" ' ,a," "I1""1""1- """" ' '" "'" country is imparalfeled in the lustory of , nivautages of it new and old settled country s""""a'' ","1 ,"'B"-'-. "'! H- "..r i-anr. . When under the great Jellcrson's l uiitud, will certainly find himself much mis'. ' ',''rt"'"1'"'. -"" "''J u" " '" "" "'" ''"i isel.s, the purchase of Louisiana was ef. ttken. There is inuctalcit, in the progress M,x," "",l 'l'fc"". '"''' ''- '" '. line .. at. man counsel.s, the pu fectcd, it was feared bv many of our great statesmen that our limits were becoming too great and unwieldy. Time, however, has shown that, in population, as our limits have extended, our government has become more stable and fixed. And this circumstance is founded in reason, and results from the ua- the Sauduirh lW.iutU taking mi U1.111I ru iott fur 0 human improvement, for us to do. I i'liuld wish that we should be ns much distinguish. ''" l"l,,lru" el for uur improved social condition", as our ' 'ni" S,"I' "f"'1'')". 'm .N otk. tt.i .it the .,nd irw country is for its mighty features. A w,r" ,''l!l",L, ""'' '"'' i"iigfr. jfim-ially .M-r-citintry so beautiful and interesting as Oie-1 ",0"'' ""'"l"-s- fr.inci.co. We I. .in further, th.it gill, must and will occupy U proud stand. '" ""nnieiiMi migrulioii of .Mormon', or. un Ihej ii..v Ve too, like the founders of our government, "11'' dieuwlwt, l-itm Da) Sauiti," i icirihug We have liere loity.tivc iiioumiuI in number, wire to . t out m M.iv rnuii lllinoii, and .MirMnin. InhuhI t ('.ditoriu.i r. 11. 11. ''' iifs .... . . ... turc ol the human mind, liejre is some-1 ax making experiments thing about a great, free, and magnificent panted the principles we hold dear. Wholly I'rom lllmoi and .MirM.un. l-imi t government, that naturally allures men to its knows but that from this point, those great ' :iJ tin- Mjutliem .- r t oi thm t.-mti,r. support. ho would not prcler lieing a eiti-) principles may pass lo the olden world, and 7c of such a government as that of the U- mo day give its enslaved myriads freedom j States, to the right of citizenship in some pet- and peace. I believe we will set tin- day ' ty republic too poor to defray its expenses at vhen the valleys, streams, hills, and forests home, ami too weak to he respected abroad? cf Oregon will echo with the songs of free The more population, and the greater the ex-, 'loin. And now, fellow.citizens, prone :. tent of territory the greater will he the fa-1 Americans are to differ in opinion, I know , cilities for trade, and the lighter will fall the (you will all unite with me in saying (iiiut burthensof government upon each individual. ' ing to the American flag) And one of the most pleasing reflections con. j That rtor.jwngled banner, () long may it wae , ncctcd with this' delightful theme is the fact, O'er tho land of the free und the homo or the. hrac." I that our immense extent of territory, and our ' Notk. While writing out my address, I had no I great prosperity, have been attained .without . hook w wmcti i coum reierj una an my quotation. tho commission of a national crime. We a,,J rttttcmen, of fact. n""10 fro' recollection. have never carried the desolation of war in. I to tho bosoms of other countries from a base ' desire of conquest, and we have not sought, nor do wc seek, to extend our authority over unwilling minds. If others, charmed by the frco and noble principles of our government, I seek protection under its mighty wings, they come in, not us slaves, but us fellow.citizens, entitled to all the privileges that belong to us; and form new and independent states, united to this great family of the free. And we love our country, not alone because she is great now, and is rapidly taking tho front rank among tho mighty nations of the earth, but because she is pure, just, and free. And it is .a source of just pride to us, that we arc not only powerful in war, but wo are equal- ly distinguished for our liberal principles, our civilization and humanity. And who can tell the destiny of America ? Old Rome nev er filled a prouder destiny. Wo arc like a young and vigorous giant, just beginning to feel his powers. But wliilo we, with eino. tions of pleasure, contemplate our greatness attained so peacefully, und so soon, and an ticipate with rapture that still grcator destiny that uwaits us speedily, let us act out the principles of our government, which teach us the most expanded chanty, leaving all people, kindreds, and tongues, to that per fect freedom of opinion wo claim for our selves. Wo have the most unshaken confi dence in the superiority of those eternal and unchanging principles of freedom upon which our government is based; and we believe that they are so founded and implanted in man's very nature, that they will inevitably tri umph, unaided by fraud or force, and from their own innate and irrcsistable power. Wo have tho faith to believe that our principles, ever glorious and free, will go down along the stream of coming years, gathering force and vigor, as mun's mind expands and tho soul improves, until they shaU arouse and awaken the slumbering millions who yet nev er knew what freedom was. And I hesitate THE .SPECTATOR. 11. A. U. LE:, KlIITCK. J, KI.KMI.SU, I'll. OrKOU City, Auajimt i, IK 10. mr'l'he editor rcupectfully tenderv hw lliuiikn tu the Board of Directum for the privilege of terminating hix Kervicfn un editor, with tho prekent nurnlter of tho .Spec- tutor. Ho gladly uvuita limweir of the opportunity thiw . ,.m , , ,. ,(, llher rexulu neccfanly follow oUbrded him of returning to the more humblo und fur . , , . , ,.,,. ,r , . , ,,r ,. . i r i i ..i l few Map urrival fcarc ly of eooo", and dimcullv more oteaiianl duties of u labor uur mechanic, with a i ' ' h ""'"' r . ... . n ........ ..r ...... ...:.... n... Li happy coiwcioujnem or liaving uone llm bant that cir i.i nt ok 11 rr 1 1 run o no n n t u r u r i. I.ieut. ('iiinmaiiiliug, Ni li M IIouiwin lellt. V. i. S( Ill.S'k. i ting .Matter, Jaws l. Hi i.i..mk ' I'uix r. Wm. S. Mollis.. .Wi'tanl Stirgi'iiu, '.. m Hi i...i I'tiNM'd .MiiUhiMiiau, T. M-l.tiiis Mid'hipineu, 'I'. .1. Suir, " II. I)IIIMI.. I'aptamV Clerk. .1. M. .Mmr Deocrliiii; H-auieii. W ii fi el it our dut) to call the attention of thr eiti zeiM to iIim iiiiportaut mlijict, involving 10 i!., mir mural, a ui II an our commercial intirr.u. At preM-nt we ' e no (fllcieiit lawn fur thn protrrtn.ii nf maMer-i A: cupuiiiu of eweln entering our iorti or hai lirx, in llii retentiin and protr control of their M-aiiitn. Tlie mi. ' mUtIK:en are eauily llii.imi(l. Scan el) a en.eltuueh en uur coaiit without liming a urtiou of her i rew ; and there have Iweli iumkii! deM-rtiiui In. in uhale -lu which M'litured barely within mIiI of the puie.clill'ii id ' Oregon. A can- nf thin kind occurred during the laft winter, rive ninnen deM-rted u ulinU-r in the night, taking one of thn boutx and making for Ihe Klmru near (irny'n hurlmr, t-oine MXty milcn north of the mnuth of the Columbia. In crowing the hrcukcrw the ica be. ing rough threo of the men were loot, only two rem lc ing the nhure ulie. While thin riate of thing la.ti, we cannot exjHct ekvlx to tixit un, unl'.m their pron jiccui of gain or m-iikc of duty is Millicunt to induce curmtances allowed. And with n nincere winh that the paper may be rendered more acceptable to the reader, ltd more prolitable lo the proprietor, lie bub them mid Urn public a kind adieu. A Fjuk.nd i.n Dkkd. Wu uru much indebted, und truly thankful, lo tho Editor of the I'olyneaian und Mean. C. Ornwer t Co., (Honolulu, S. I.,) for their opportune kinknea iu receiving und I'orwurding Hub ecriptionn to the Spectator. Wo take thin opportunity to Inform our friend ubroud, that, owing to Ihe pecu liar nature of our currency, tho Hoard of Uirectom have been induced to fix Uie prico of the Spectator ut $5 per annum. When cadi i paid, however, a din count 33 per cent. i made, which reduce the price of the paper to $3 33). We acknowledge the receipt of Gen. Miller! aubacriptlon, through the politenew of Mr. Stark, of $5 cauli, which la $1 G6 more than oar due. It will itand aa so much paid on the second volume, or be refunded, aa ho may with. THE U. 8. SCHOONER SHARK. ,,Tho United States schooner Shark came into tho mouth of the Columbia river on tho 18th ult., 34 days from the Sandwich Islands. After pasting Dakor Bay,4he Shark was run upon Chenook shoal, through lisa imaVIIftilnstafl nt n narrm man fnxtnA llwinrf ut Ik Cape, who undertook to pilot her over to Astoria. She was however gotten off in a few hours, having suffered of exporting our Mirplux produce, Ac., a,c. TIicm- re. kiiIU, in their tutu, Ih-coiui-chinch, uml produce oilier efleeti eimally liupleavant. .Men, feeling exai.u.raliil under thn chafiiignof IIichi- circuiiiMuncc, ami unable or unwilling tu trace them to their prime cuu, are ready to churgc. tin: eviln to thr cupidit) of tho lew mcrclinnld who have ventured among us; and who are thcnisclvcK more or Icmi the wuHirern witlf thr rent of in-. Thus adding tu our unfortunate circnirmtanccs the i greater cil of pcrwinul ill-will uml unkind feeling among thn citliens. A Htill farther, and wo think, a still morn deplorablo coin-eijiicncc in, that wu have thrown into wicicty a flout of unprofitable, unit to buy tho leant fur them, undciiirablo chuructern. Wo re gard deiertion iuelf, under ordinary circuniHtanccs, ax really mean und exceedingly low quite beueuth un honent man. Now, if we wish to free ourselves from this immense train of ovils, it is quite us plain as it iu important, that we should strike at the root. It is ut terly useless, or something worse, for us to abuse tho merchants, or the merchants upbraid tho importers for high prices on goods and excessive charges for freight, while we allow deserters to enjoy all Ihe rights and privileges of free citiiens with us. So long as merchant ships aro subjected to the risk of losing their men with out tho hope of getting them back uguln, or even of supplying their place so long will those who freight by them, be compelled to pay n higher price for freight