Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 25.djvu/109

Rh for the fullest measure of culture of which he is capable.

On June 3, in the capital of the nation, there is to be unveiled an equestrian statue of Francis Asbury, the prince of Circuit Riders, and here in the capital of the farthest western state is unveiled a like statue commemorative of the numberless Circuit Riders who have been heralds of patriotism and Christianity across the whole land. Today we emphasize especially those men who waged the first hard conflicts in this last frontier of America. It is they especially whom we honor today. It is they upon whom we should place the laurel of the valleys and hills which they watered and enriched by their tears. Jason Lee, David Leslie, Gustavus and H. K. Hines, John McKinney, John F. DeVore, Father Wilbur, Robert Booth and T. L. Jones, are the men to be crowned today by filial and grateful hands. Their names should be repeated over and over, that the thousands who enjoy the benefits they secured may know their benefactors. Those men of direct Saxon speech, "straight-grained men, with the bark on," are worthy of our interest, admiration and gratitude. Without the facilities furnished by schools, or established society, or regular Church economy, with few advantages such as we have inherited, they laid foundations so deep and firm that history with all its changes has but proved their abiding strength. As was said in eulogy of Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of £>t. Paul's, in London:

"If you seek his memorial, look around." And as has been said of other heroes, no braver than ours:

Nevertheless, it is most appropriate that this enduring monument shall stand for generations to tell the story of