the most interesting people on the globe. It is a singular and foolish mistake to suppose that the Indians lose their traits upon acquiring the customs and education of white men. Such a man as Simon Pokagon shows how erroneous is the supposition. The Indians are now in a state of lapse, and even, in some respects, of degradation; but this is not the end. Our literature as it reaches its larger development will realize the high conceptions and reflect the intense consciousness of the native races.
4. The history of our old Oregon is the history of freemen. Our soil has never been stained with slavery. Upon close examination it will be seen that not one important act of pioneer history was not determined at last by the consciousness of personal liberty—freedom of the body as well as of the mind. How much of this came from the boundless country; how much from the liberty-loving native tribes; and how much from the bold spirits that arrived from the older states is one of the problems to be worked out later. But it was here.
5. Our history is also the history of benevolence. Owing to what causes it need not now be inquired, the hundred years of white man's occupancy of the valley of the Columbia has been one of almost uninterrupted peace. Not only has this been a condition of passive good will, but of active beneficence. Some time since a lecturer recently from the east began by telling his Oregon audience that this state had been settled on a selfish plan. Nothing could be more mistaken. The brains of the men who came to Oregon were teeming with ideas of social and religious improvements for the race, and so far from being selfish in their aim were rather open to the charge of Utopianism. The chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company was so distinguished by his humanity as to offend his employers. The leading spirits of the American settlers were Chris-
