Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/191



ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC COAST REPUBLIC 183

It was during these troublous times that the rumor of a plan to establish a Pacific Republic a plan inaugurated by some of the Democratic leaders again became persistent. In July, 1855, an editorial headed "Our Future," appeared in the Standard (Democratic) suggesting the idea of the formation of an independent nation west of the Rockies as being in harmony with the designs of an all-wise Providence, by whom this natural boundary had been laid down. 1

The leader ran, in brief: "In a new country there are no old associations, no stereotyped habits which filter in an ac- customed routine our actions and our thoughts, but the customs which we were wont to have in our homes have given away to those which are formed by our new associations. Yes, it is indeed too true that we must look for new and: energetic governments in recently settled countries. The British colonies of North America passed through a Revolution, and reared for themselves the proudest republic on the face of the earth.

"The French nation alike overturned the dynasty of Louis Philippe and established a republic also. . . . With these facts before us the future of our country demands attention. What will be the results of these causes? Can it be possible that within a few years the Pacific Coast will ask, and can secure an independent government?

"Would it be policy for them to do so? And if it would, what will be the effect of our petition to the United States Congress? Is the recently avowed doctrine of Territorial Sovereignty broad enough so that it will permit us freely to say whether we will come into the Union, or whether we will remain without, and become separate from it? If nature ever marked out the division of countries, it has done so in North America. The vast chain of the Rocky Mountains presents an unmistakable boundary, and we have reason to believe that these boundaries, laid down by an over-ruling Providence, ought to be more strictly regarded. . . . Should we se- cure anything to our advantage by coming into the Union which

i Standard, Portland, Oregon Territory, July, 1855- Alonzo Leland, editor.