282 John H. Mitchell—Oregon 
globe demand it. With one voice and with no uncertain sound 
should the people of all the commercial and civilized nations of 
the earth demand the speedy construction of this great work, so 
absolutely essential to the commercial necessities of the age and 
the proper advancement and promotion of the enlightened civili- 
zation of the century in which we live. We of the Pacific coast 
are no longer unimportant factors in the trade and commerce of 
the world. When Dr Marcus Whitman crossed the continent 
in 1842-48 to save Oregon to the union, the trade of the Pacific 
coast with foreign or domestic ports amounted to nothing. To- 
day our trade with Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, 
Cuba and Brazil, to say nothing of our trade with China, Japan 
and the Sandwich islands, amounts in value to more than 
$45,000,000 annually. Give us the Nicaragua canal and we will 
then stand erect in every element which constitutes independent 
commercial supremacy. Capable of meeting every home want of 
whatever nature, we become at once and forever a formidable 
competitor for our surplus products, not only in the home 
market, but in all the markets of the world. 
Conclusion. 
In conclusion, I cannot better personify the state of Oregon 
than by employing the language of that gifted writer, the author 
of “Atlantis Arisen.” She said: 
‘‘T know how, if I were a painter, I should personify the young giant 
Oregon. Lithe, strong, beautiful should he be, with Empire written on 
his brow and power tempered by mildness beaming from his eyes. Of 
fair complexion he, with tawny, blonde hair and curly, golden beard. 
His robe should be of royal purple, embroidered with wheat ears, and 
his crown of tarnished gold. His throne should be among the rugged 
mountains, with a lake at his feet, rolling yellow plains on one hand and 
smiling green valleys on the other. His sceptre, shaped like the taper- 
ing pine, should be of silver, set with opals, emeralds and diamonds. On 
his right should roll the magnificent Columbia, to which ships in the 
distance should seek entrance, and over his shoulder the white crest of 
mount Hood stand blushing in a rosy sunset.”’ 
The names and memories of the brave pioneer men and women 
who laid the foundations of empire in the wilds of Oregon de- 
serve to be forever perpetuated, not only in their country’s his- 
tory, but in the reverential hearts and minds of the people 
of the present and all future generations. There is something 
