Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 23.djvu/412



362 CHARLES HENRY CAREY

ficiency to the enterprise. The great body of the settlers, as yet, are scattered along the both sides of the Willam- ette River, the valley of which is considered the garden of the territory. The population of the agricultural por- tion of the community must, of course, be sparse, as each settler has the liberal allowance of a square mile for his farm. This policy, however, must produce favorable results, as it will necessarily lead to more rapid and ex- tensive settlement of the country, and to the opening of new and effectual doors for missionary enterprise.

The state of morals in the community does not differ materially from that which is usually presented in a newly settled country. Intemperance, and its insepar- able train of kindred vices, prevail to a great extent ; and it is greatly feared the license law, which was passed by the Legislative Council in defiance of the governor's veto, would have the effect to increase these evils. We are happy to learn, however, that, notwithstanding this, the morals of the people are gradually improving. Sabbath breaking formerly prevailed very extensively, but during the last three years there has been a considerable reform. In the recent election for Governor, which took place just before Brother Gary left, the question turned, not upon the party distinctions which generally govern the elec- tions in the States, but solely on temperance and anti- temperance principles and we are rejoiced to learn that the temperance candidate was elected. This certainly augurs well for this new and rapidly increasing com- munity. Still, the heterogeneous mass of mind and char- acter of which it is composed, can be molded and elevated only by the conservation influences of Christianity. Such is the fertility of the soil, the mildness of the climate, and the natural productiveness of the country, that the people of Oregon are not obliged to labor as are the people in this country. "Consequently," to use the lan- guage of Brother Gary, "they must become an enlight- ened and religious people or they will be a very depraved