A Glimpse Into History

What Prominent People Have Said About Nature in Oregon and the Need to Conserve It

Michael McCloskey

• Publisher: John Michael McCloskey
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781087927978
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Historia
• Subtopic: Historia de Norteamérica

A Glimpse Into History: What Prominent People Have Said About Nature in Oregon and the Need to Conserve It features the words of over ninety figures who turned Oregon into the premier "green" state. They were explorers, pioneers, settlers, ministers, climbers, scientists, poets, politicians, writers, ranchers, activists, lawyers, and businessmen.

They shaped the culture that saw value in nature and demanded policies to protect it. Through their inspiring words, their presence is still felt. Oregon was blessed in being shaped by such talented people.

Contents

Introduction

Foreword

Acknowledgements

1. Exploration and Settlement
2. The Early Years
3. Oregon Becomes a Developing State
4. Oregon in the Early 20th Century
5. Oregon in the Midst of the 20th Century
6. Oregon in the Latter Part of the 20th Century
7. Oregon in the Environmental Era
8. Oregon as Environmentalism Becomes the Norm
9. Oregon in Contemporary Times
   Sources
   Copyright

Introduction

I had thought that history dealt with people who were dead and silent. But in doing research, I ran across quotes from historical figures that awakened me to the fact that this was not entirely true. As I read their words, I began to get a feeling for their personalities, passions, and times. To me, it was almost like listening to a recording of their voices. History began to come alive. This was a feeling that I did not get by just reading about them.

As I read their words, I began to see patterns in history and how much of their perspectives we still share. I also learned how one promoted another as the older ones helped the younger ones get ahead; their careers were often tied together. I saw their similarities and differences, and how the issues evolved.

Some were so moved by their experiences in nature that they spoke in language that was almost poetic. In the nineteenth century, it was common to link the beauties of nature with the handiwork of the Creator. Others expressed outrage and didn’t shy away from strong language, for instance denouncing “greed” and those who “looted the public domain.” Some hammered away at themes that gripped them, while others ranged widely. Even in tense times and moments of peril, humor could emerge in their words. Some were almost lyrical in praising our progress, while others were fearful of sliding back. Some were driven, some were reverential, and others were angry.

As I became almost addicted to digging out the words of those who had gone before and shaped Oregon’s environmental programs, I began to see that the quotes I was extracting from their works might constitute a book—one that had not been done before. This is that book.

The leaders quoted in this book all shaped our values and programs. They shaped the culture that made nature a public value and made its conservation an important concern. They all deserve our gratitude. Their words are still with us, and in one sense, so are they.

Michael McCloskey

Foreword

This book focuses on two related topics: appreciation of nature in Oregon and emerging efforts to conserve nature. The book shows how a “green” culture developed in the state that laid the groundwork for the many public policies that followed. The culture was embraced by a wide variety of public personalities, in many lines of work.

In selecting passages to quote, I looked for language with certain qualities—language that was evocative, provocative, or that introduced new concerns of conservation. I left out passages that dealt with technical matters, obscure concerns, and matters of little interest today.

I often edited wording that was unclear or awkward.

In the text that follows, I have used typography to indicate passages of different kinds. Profiles of the figures are quoted are put in boxes; the topics being addressed are in bold.

This work can be used in varied ways. It can be read straight through, it can be used as a text in environmental history courses on Oregon, or it can be used a reference work. Happy reading!

Michael McCloskey

Acknowledgements

Many people helped me dig out these quotes from figures who have shaped Oregon’s environmental programs. Alice LaViolette of the Oregon State Library in Salem stands out; she helped me find writings by many people I might have missed. Dave Hegeman there was also helpful. Kylie Pine, the curator of the Willamette Heritage Center in Salem, also helped me find things that Sen. Charles McNary had written.

Various people at the reference desk of the central Multnomah County Library also helped me find documents, as did specialists in the library of the Oregon Historical Society, such as Scott Daniels, and those at the Reed College Library. Reference specialists in the law library of Lewis & Clark College also helped me pursue notions I had.

I want to thank my brother, David McCloskey, for reviewing this work in draft form and leading me to poetry suitable for inclusion. Alice LaViolette also gave the draft a careful and helpful reading. Ron Eber was also helpful in reviewing the text. As always, Chris Williams kept my computer going properly. And Jim McMullin has been instrumental in handling the process of getting the illustrations ready for publication. And I am grateful to all those who offered supporting statements: Alice LaViolette, Kim Stafford, and Ramona Rex.

In doing this research, I also learned more about the difficulties one faces in doing research of this kind. For instance, documents from the Congressional Record have only been digitized for the last twenty-five years. And the Oregon Historical Society has not had the money to prepare guides to many of the materials in its archives. And most of the documents from the career of Senator McNary are not in Oregon but are instead held in the archives of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and are held at remote sites.

But the wonder is that so much has been digitized in just a few short years. The Oregon Encyclopedia is very helpful, as is Wikipedia. This kind of a book could not have been written a few decades ago. I am grateful to all who made it possible.

Michael McCloskey

Chapter One

Exploration and Settlement

When Captain George Vancouver sailed up the Oregon coast in 1792, the cliffs north of Cape Blanco made a deep impression. In his journals, he said:

This cape … is a conspicuous one, particularly when seen from the north—being formed by a round hill on high perpendicular cliffs, some of which are white, [rising...