Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/611

Rh tract, from an address delivered in this city on the life and character of Daniel Webster. Speaking of the unscrupulous methods of conducting presidential elections, Dr. Lindsley, says:

"This stupenduous system of fraud and corruption may not be countenanced by the prominent aspirants for office, and are not approved by the great body of patriotic citizens, but we are all in some degree responsible for them when we do not protest against them, and do nothing to prevent them.

It is a fact that seekers for the presidency seldom gain the great office. It is a melancholy experience in political life that ambition for office is a consuming ambition from town constable upward. To win, when it becomes a passion, makes the man miserable who is not continually climbing up on the shoulders of his opponents. The disappointment of the great majority of the aspirants does not cool their ardor. It is like gambling and gold hunting, and diving after pearls. There are many blanks to a single prize; and the prize falls to him who does not seek it."

Dr. Lindsley was one of the first, if not the very first, to agitate the question of reforming juvenile delinquents; and in the light of his work on this subject he might well be considered the father of both the state reform school and the juvenile court. As long ago as the year 1876, he commenced to talk, write and speak in public on the great importance of active and permanent measures to save the boys from the demoralization and vices of city life. On January i, 1876, Dr. Lindsley and Dr. T. L. Elliot issued a circular letter to leading citizens throughout the state, and procured from officers of reform schools in other states copies of laws and regulations for such schools, in order to secure concerted and intelligent action on the subject. And from that movement, the Oregon State Reform School was secured through legislative action; and later on, following up the same line of reform, came the juvenile court and the detention home.

Dr. Lindsley was born at Troy, New York, March 4, 181 7. His father was an architect, losing his life by falling from a building when the son was but seven years old. By this misfortune, the boy was forced to enter the battle of fife at an early age. For some time he worked as a printer, and at the age of twenty-two became associate editor of the Troy Whig newspaper. He entered a scientific school and graduated as a civil engineer; and later on entered Union college at Schenectady, from which he graduated. Here he was converted, gave up the profession of engineer, entered a theological seminary, from which he graduated in 1845, went west and preached as a missionary at Waukaska, Wisconsin, for six years.

No estimate can be made of the value and influence of such a man, and such a life, in such a city as Portland, and a new country like Oregon. It is beyond all estimation, above all praise, and immeasurable. Such men never die.

No notice of the religious and ethical development of city life in Portland can fail to observe the great work done by the Hebrew congregations. Proceeding in a modest and unpretentious way, the Jews (to use the common name) have accomplished, and are accomplishing a great work for the welfare of the city. And so quietly and successfully does their work gather force and attract strength that few people know anything about it until they look for the cause