loneerkozi.et1ion; - ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

20
ANNUAL ADDRESS.
Here were the homes of Gervais, Lucier, Cannon, Jack, and on the west side
of the river, Labonte and Lafranboisefour Canadians and two American citizens,
all Astor men, who came to Oregon with Capt. Hunt in iSis, some of
whom were with McKinzey, when this part of the territory was first explored by
white men, and in later years, with the exception of Lafranbois, these five free
trappers were the first to introd ace the civilizing arts of husbandry in the valley
of the Willamette. Here the Pioneer Missionaries, who were sent to the
western confines of the continent, first proclaimed the salvation of the Cross to
the wild native tribes of the valley. Here too, were held in 1841, the first political
meetings which eventuated in 1845 in giving to the whole people of the
Territory a provisional form of republican government, a work of the Oregon
Pioneers, the history of which must endure while the River of the West shall
continue to roll his volumed waters to the briney deep.
In the time which one could reasonably expect to claim the attention of the
members upon the subject in hand, it will hardly be expected that I could on
this occasion attempt giving more than a mere outline of leading events, with
sketches of some of the principal persons to whom we are indebted for establishing
the first independent settlement in the original Territory of Oregon.
We were told by Col. Nesmith in the able and very valuable historical address
which he delivered before you in 1875, that " It seems to be an accepted
maxium and doubtless with some foundation in reason, that no man is qualified
to write the history of the times in which he lives." When we take a retrospective
glance at our early history, and compare ii with certain statements and
deductions reached by some of our cotemporary writers who unveil the deep
hidden intrigues, bringing so graphically to view the well formed plans which,
had it not been for the timely efforts and hurculean powers put forth by a few
individuals who alone possessed the sagacity and courage to counteract the
wiley schemes matured at the court of St. James, backed by the great influence
of a powerful foreign monopoly in our midst, directed by Dr. John McLoughlin
to read,some of these productions at this distance of time, our children might
be led to believe, that had it not been for the timely and well directed efforts of
these individuals, their progenitors with half a continent would have long since
been enguiphed in a sea of dark despair. But hapily for the future, Col Nesmith
a little further on, had the kindness to inform us, that to get "a truthful
record of Current events, requires the conservative and mellowing influence of
time to render them perfectly impartial and reliable." This being the case.
then the correcting hand of time, like the all searching rays of the sun when
looking down from his meridian splendor, dispels the illusive mirage that had
in the early morning hung over the distant scene, by which small and otherwise
unimportant objects had been so wonderfully magnified.