BEGINNINGS OF OREGON. 119

centennial in 1905, and celebrate it in ;i manner and on a scale commensurate with its national and historical import- ance. Oregon, of course, must take the lead in the prepara- tion for this event. It is worth while, then, to use every opportunity to awaken interest in the history of the begin- ning's of American dominion in the Pacific Northwest. It is in this spirit that I have responded to the invitati< 11 for the present occasion. On such a subject it is alnn st natural to fall into tediousncss or prolixity, by attempting to cover too much ground. Short essays, or lectures, in series. offer an excellent method for popular treatment of this great subject, and this can be done with special thoroughness under direction of our State educational system.