Page:History of Oregon Newspapers.pdf/70

Rh"aim and end shall be at all times to 'render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's.' Oregon being our 'bark,' to her we shall cling as long as there is a plank left."

It was Mr. Dryer's purpose to devote himself largely to Oregon's economic advancement.

"The agricultural development and commercial resources of Oregon. . . will claim a large share of our attention, those at a distance may understand the true and impartial state of affairs, and thereby be enabled to arrive at just and proper conclusions in reference to this territory."

The one notable omission from the salutatory is any reference to the intellectual or cultural interests of the community. There is here no charge that Dryer's Oregonian neglected those interests entirely; but in that one particular, it seems, the paper failed to hold to its high standards in other respects and failed to give promise of what was to come under the long regime of Harvey Scott. "Morally" was a side subhead for a part of the salutatory.

"We shall (promised Mr. Dryer) be found the advocates of sound morals, without reference to denominations or sects. . . . Our columns will always be open for the development of moral and religious truths, and the propagation of principles which tend to elevate the standard of humanity and benefit our race."

With an apparently happy ignorance of what the future held, the editor addressed a word to the other papers:

"To our contemporaries we would say, we desire that peaceful and friendly feeling may prevail in all time to come . .."

A communication of W. W. Chapman to the editor, published in the first issue, told of the progress of the Portland and Valley railroad:

"A little more than two weeks since, the articles of incorporation were drawn up, contemplating a capital of $500,000; since which time about $100,000 of stock has been taken in the town of Portland."

The communication went on to say that at a meeting held in the Yamhill county courthouse at Lafayette, with W. J. Martin chairman and Matthew P. Deady secretary, $218,000 of stock was taken. Lafayette, then the Yamhill county seat, was a more important city than the new Portland, which had little but a future. Nearly $400,000, it was reported, had already been subscribed.