Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 2.djvu/435

Rh Oregon pioneers comprised no small part of the organizers of the Commonwealth of California, and supplied her with her first governor. Our stake in Oregon, however, effectively furthered expansion to the southwest in yet another way. The democratic party in 1844 coupled its aggressive policy against Mexico with the radical attitude of "54-40 or fight" for Oregon. This Oregon plank won the support of the Northwest. Polk was elected. American armies marched on to the City of Mexico. The fruits of victory were the acquisition of the southwest. Without the Oregon claim on which to have based that party pledge of the democrats, consent to the extension to the Pacific on the southwest could hardly have been forthcoming. The intense rivalry between the North and the South made it inevitable that the expansion westward on the north and on the south should be abreast. The Lewis and Clark exploration led out on the north, and the South would of necessity find some way of following. Thus, as a necessary sequel to the Lewis and Clark projection westward, our nation grew to be foursquare and continental.

As the only nation of the first rank bordering on the Pacific, widest opportunities are open to us in this "new Mediterranean." It gives us a position of advantage for controlling Pacific commerce and Pacific politics. This widening of national opportunity of necessity reacts upon our national character. American institutions will be more severely tested. Only methods that are effective and pure will suffice us. American talent and genius will be inspired by unlimited opportunities, not only for economic gain and political influence, but also by conditions that favor creations of beauty and the attainment of Greek poise of intellect. The Pacific Coast, philosophers say, furnishes the physical basis for the development of Grecian traits of civilization.