ena
tor from 1865 to 187 1 and then became attorney-general of the
United States under Grant...
.
"In person tall, angular, and awk
ward, yet withal fine-looking, he possessed brain power and force,
and was even sometimes eloquent as a speaker. "
The following selec
tion, the first two words of which are a slight change on Webster,
was part of a speech on "The Pioneers of Oregon," delivered at the
Thirteenth Annual Reunion of the Oregon Pioneer Association, at
Oregon City, June 15, 1885, as printed in his book Occasional Ad
dresses.
Venerable friends, you are representative men and women.
You impersonate the history of this country for nearly half
a century. You represent that hardy and fearless class of
people who have carried the banners of civilization from
Plymouth Rock to the Pacific Ocean. You meet to-day at a
place replete with stirring associations. Forty years ago, the
legislative committee, as it was then called, assembled here
to commence the work of statutory enactments. This is the
birthplace of Oregon legislation. Here is where a govern
ment of laws for Oregon was inaugurated. There was no
procession, with music and banners, to celebrate the day; no
salvos of artillery to distinguish the event. On the narrow
strip of land below here, between the eternal rocks over
hanging their heads and the ever-flowing river at their feet,
a few plain men quietly assembled to commence a business
big with the fate of empire. Now, as then, the same rocks
lift their rugged brows in unchangeable serenity. Now, as
then, the same river leaps with foam and mist and muffled
thunder down the steep declivities of its bed. Now, as then,
spring-time brings forth its flowers and the autumn yields
its fruits. But all the members of that committee, your old
associates and friends, have gone forever from our gaze.
