Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 2.djvu/417



How to develop an Oregon literature is one of the tasks now before the people of the north Pacific Coast.

By "Oregon" is meant, we hardly need say, the old historic Oregon, that stood for at least one great quarter of the western North American coast, back to the Rocky Mountain divide. I am quite aware that the people of Washington rather object to this large use of the name "Oregon," whether applied to pine or to literature; and are rather disposed to regard with disdain the effort to unite the two states under one term. But there are good reasons besides local pride in continuing the larger use of the old name. There is the historical analogy. Americans still speak "English," though they are much the loftier shoot of the old stock. A large number of the trees and plants of America are named "Canadense" out of regard to the place where their habitat was first discovered; as also many of the Oregon trees and birds bear the name "Californica." There are other good reasons besides. Geographically, the basin of the Columbia and its sea coast is a unit. Commercially, it must also be so. Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana will flourish in a business way as they co-operate for mutual interest. There is a solidarity here much greater than that of New England. Local rivalries will continue, but general union must be effected before our states take the part they should either in local development or in the national destiny.

Besides this, Washington and Idaho can not develop their own historical and traditional origins without going into Oregon territory; a broader and truer local spirit