Godkin has said:
"M. de Tocqueville and all his followers take it for granted that the
great incentive to excellence, in all countries in which excellence
is found, is the patronage and encouragement of an aristocracy; that
democracy is generally content with mediocrity. But where is the proof
of this? The incentive to exertion which is widest, most constant, and
most powerful in its operations in all civilized countries, is the
desire of distinction; and this may be composed either of love of fame
or love of wealth or of both. In literary and artistic and scientific
pursuits, sometimes the strongest influence is exerted by a love of the
subject. But it may safely be said that no man has ever labored in any
of the higher colleges to whom the applause and appreciation of his
fellows was not one of the sweetest rewards of his exertions.
"What is there we would ask, in the nature of democratic institutions,
that should render this great spring of action powerless, that should
deprive glory of all radiance, and put ambition to sleep. Is it not
notorious, on the contrary, that one of the most marked peculiarities
of democratic society, or of a society drifting toward democracy, is
the fire of competition which rages in it, the fevered anxiety which
possesses all its members to rise above the dead level to which the
law is ever seeking to confine them, and by some brilliant stroke
become something higher and more remarkable than their fellows? The
secret of that great restlessness which is one of the most disagreeable
accompaniments of life in democratic countries, is in fact due to the
eagerness of everybody to grasp the prizes of which in aristocratic
countries, only the few have much chance. And in no other society
is success more worshipped, is distinction of any kind more widely
flattered and caressed.
"In domestic societies, in fact excellence is the first title to
distinction; in aristocratic ones there are two or three others which
are far stronger and which must be stronger or aristocracy could not
exist. The moment you acknowledge that the highest social position
ought to be the reward of the man who has the most talent, you make
aristocratic institutions impossible."
All that was buoyant and creative in American life would be lost if we
gave up the respect for distinct personality, and variety in genius,
and came to the dead level of common standards. To be "socialized into
an average" and placed "under the tutelage of the mass of us," as a
recent writer has put it, would be an irreparable loss. Nor is it
necessary in a democracy, as these words of Godkin well disclosed. What
is needed is the multiplication of motives for ambition and the opening
of new lines of achievement for the strongest. As we turn from the task
of the first rough conquest of the continent there lies before us a
whole wealth of unexploited resources in the realm of the spirit. Arts
and letters, science and better social creation, loyalty and political
service to the commonweal,--these and a thousand other directions of
activity are open to the men, who formerly under the incentive of
attaining distinction by amassing extraordinary wealth, saw success
only in material display. Newer and finer careers will open to the
ambitious when once public opinion shall award the laurels to those who
rise above their fellows in these new fields of labor. It has not been
the gold, but the getting of the gold, that has caught the imaginations
of our captains of industry. Their real enjoyment lay not in the
luxuries which wealth brought, but in the work of construction and in
the place which society awarded them. A new era will come if schools
and universities can only widen the intellectual horizon of the people,
help to lay the foundations of a better industrial life, show them new
goals for endeavor, inspire them with more varied and higher ideals.
The Western spirit must be invoked for new and nobler achievements. Of
that matured Western spirit, Tennyson's Ulysses is a symbol.
"I am become a name
For always roaming with a hungry heart,
Much have I seen and known--
I am a part of all that I have met;
Yet all experience is an arch, where thro'
Gleams that untravelled world, whose margin fades
Forever and forever when I move.
How dull it is to pause, to make an end.
To rest unburnished, not to shine in use!
And this gray spirit yearning desire
To follow knowledge like a sinking star
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.
* * * Come my friends.
'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the Western stars until I die--
To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield."
FREDERICK JACKSON TURNER.
FOOTNOTES:
[245] Commencement Address, University of Washington, June 17, 1914.
JOURNAL OF JOHN WORK, DEC. 15TH, 1825, TO JUNE 12TH, 1826
(Introduction and Annotations by T. C. Elliott.)
The publication of this journal was begun in Vol. 5, No. 2 (April,
1914) of this Quarterly and has been completed in three parts instead
of two as first intended; the introductory statements in the previous
numbers will be of assistance to readers. For the sake of those who may
not see the earlier numbers some of the annotations are repeated. The
journal ends rather abruptly just before the arrival of Mr. Work at
Fort Vancouver in June, 1826, almost an even year after it began with
his departure from that same Fort.
This third part of the journal begins with Mr. Work in charge of
the winter trade, 1825-6, at Flathead Fort or House located near
the present Eddy Station of the Northern Pacific Railway in Sanders
County, Montana. He remains there until February and returns to Spokane
House and is on duty there with Mr. Dease, the chief trader, during
the dismantling of that establishment in the spring of 1826. He then
proceeded to Fort Okanogan for a short time and joins the annual
"brigade" going down the Columbia river to Fort Vancouver, in June,
1826.
I have been asked to explain the meaning of the term "gummed," which is
used quite often in these traders' journals. It means the smearing of
the seams of the canoes or boats with pitch or gum gathered from the
forest trees.
Reference has been made (note 2, p. 85) to C. McKay, as a son of Alex.
McKay of the Astor party, but there appears to be doubt as to that
relationship; quite likely C. McKay belonged to another family. There
is also a question as to when the furs from the New Caledonia district
began to come down over the Okanogan trail for shipment to Fort
Vancouver; that trade route was probably opened earlier. The Thompson
river (Kamloops) furs had come that way from the very beginning, in
1812.
Research as to the identity of the actual builder of the trading
post called Spokane House has progressed a little farther since the
beginning of this publication; meaning the original Northwest Company
post and not that of the Pacific Fur Company. There are reasons to
believe that Mr. Jacques Finlay built it rather than Finan McDonald, as
stated in notes No. 28 and 45.
This journal furnishes the source of our information for the beginning
of occupation of the trading post on Marcus Flat, above Kettle Falls,
and it is well to emphasize the correct spelling of the name of that
post, namely Fort Colvile; not Colville as corrupted. It took the name
from one of the directors of the Hudson's Bay Company, Mr. E. Colvile.
Doubtful words and expressions are enclosed in brackets.
JOURNAL
(Continued from Page 191, Vol. V., No. 3.)
December 1825. Thursday 15
Stormy with sharp frost in the night. Mild pleasant weather during the
day.
Had the men employed with Mr. Kittson opening and examining the
Snake[246] furs, they are generally in good order but of a very
inferior quality, they also do not answer the description given of them
as many small beaver have been called large, the sums are as follows;
744 Large & 298 Small beaver and 15 otters.--
Friday 16th
Mild soft weather.
The Kootenasy Chief paid us another visit and after trading a lodge and
some Deer skins, got a small present and in the evening took his final
departure for the winter. He is going with his people to hunt in their
own lands not far from the fort[247] on their own river, where they
intend to live on deer and endeavour to get a few beaver. On account
of the snow they are apprehensive that they will not be able to go
sufficiently far off to make a great hunt.--
In different conversations with the Kootanies since their arrival
they express a particular wish to have a fort in their own country,
and represent the communication by water much less difficult than the
Indians whom Mr. Kittson saw stated it to be,[248] and say that the
part which Mr. Kittson saw is the worst of it. They were told that they
might depend on having an Establishment on their lands next season
either by land or by water. Every means should be adopted to keep them
on their own lands as they make much better hunt there than elsewhere.
Their unprecedented trade this fall is to be mainly attributed to their
hunting in the summer & fall on the upper waters of their own river and
the Columbia. It is out of our power to send people & supplies with
them at present for want of horses, the six we have here, some of them
from the Snake Country are so lean that they are totally unfit for the
journey.--
Old LaBuche the F. Head chief paid us another visit.--
Saturday 17th
Heavy rain in the night & the greater part of the day. The Flat Head
Indians to the number of 60 to 70 arrived headed by three chiefs, they
were all on horseback and came singing and firing guns with a flag
flying.[249] We answered their fire with a volley of Muskets. The
Chiefs & some of the principle men smoked in the gentlemens' house, &
all the others in the Indian House: The weather is so very bad that we
cannot well put them out and they will have to sleep through the houses
the best way they can. It is too late to trade today.
After dark the men arrived from below bringing letters from Mr.
Dease[250] dated on the 4th & 10th inst. and five guns & 4 doz. gun
worms which we requested, but no Tobacco is sent which is unfortunate
as it is an article which is in great demand and of which I am
apprehensive we will be short.--Mr. Dease informs us that we will
require to be down in time to meet the Express at the Forks about the
5th of April. Without injuring the trade we cannot reach Spokane so
early as our Indians will not have arrived with their spring hunts.
Sunday 18
Sharp frost in the morning.
Commenced trading with the F. Heads and by noon had traded all the
articles they had for sale when a present of 20 Ball & Powder & 2 feet
of Tobacco was made to each of the Chiefs and a remuneration made two
of them at the request of Mr. Ogden, per note, for services rendered
the Snake Expedition & assisting in bringing home the Snake furs.--Some
others of the principal men got also a present of a few balls & Powder
and in the afternoon they all went off apparently well pleased. On
account of the bad road and weakness of the horses the greater part of
the Flat Heads are not going to (hunt) the Buffalo this winter but are
going to pass the winter hunting beaver. This will probably occasion
a small quantity of Provisions being procured in spring than usual,
but I expect it will be the means of an increase in the more valuable
articles of furs.
I have not yet been able to ascertain the amount of the Trade.
Monday 19th
Overcast mild weather.
Had the men busily employed packing the Snake furs and also those
traded here, in order to send off two canoes to the Coeur de Alan
Portage[251] as soon as possible, so that the men may get the canoes
back before the ice takes.
Examined yesterdays trade and find it to amount to 222 Large and 107
small beaver, 1 Otter, 4 Robes, 72 Appichimons, 1 Elk Skin, 18 pack
saddles, 113 fath. cords, 4 Hair Bridles, 52 Bales, 3122 lbs. dry meat,
119 fresh Tongues, 23 dry Tongues, 2 bosses & 10-1/2 lb. castorum,
which is much less than we expected. The greater part of the summer was
occupied in pursuit of Buffaloes, which prevented them from hunting
beaver, and as they are not going back to the Buffalo at present, they
kept a considerable part of their meat to subsist on during the winter.
Some freemen paid us a visit, they were told to come tomorrow with the
furs and get some supplies.--
Tuesday 20th.
Soft mild weather.
The freemen A. Paget. C. (Loye), C. Gras Louis, J. Beauchamp & J. B.
Gadwa delivered in their furs & received a little advance to enable
them to pass the winter. These men would not accompany Mr. Ogden and
were not to have received any supplies, but Mr. Dease directed them to
get a little in case they delivered in the furs. Paget & Gadwa were
unfortunate in losing a cache of 100 beaver which was stolen by the
Indians.--Gadwa was ordered to be sent to Spokan. He denies that his
engagement was only to be free[252] as long as the Company thought
proper and seemed unwilling to go, but on being told that he must
comply he submitted, but with reluctance. The Indians traded a few
appichimans. The men employed finishing out the packs.
Wed.y. 21
Cloudy cold weather.
The men employed gumming & repairing the canoes. We had no gum till
the Indians were employed to gather it, or the canoes would have been
repaired yesterday.
The Kootany chief & 6 of his men visited us, and after smoking traded a
horse & a few saddles and appichimans.
Thursd.y. 22nd
Some snow in the night, cloudy cold weather. Wind N. W.
Sent off 2 canoes 5 men each to the Schachoo[253] Portage laded with
the following articles for Spokan viz 27 packages containing 762 Large
and 376 Small beaver, 11 Martens. 10 Mink, 1385 Rats, 8 Elk Skins,
12 deer Skins, 70 Appichimans. 22 Saddles & 90 Salt tongues, of the
F. Heads and Kootenay returns, and 21 Pieces containing 881 Large
& 381 Small beaver, 16 Otters, 2 Rats & 7-1/2 lbs. Castrum, Snake
Returns, besides 1 Bale private property, rivits and 5 bales meat 60
lbs. each for the peoples voyage down and back. The above part of the
Snake returns is all that was brought here by C. McKay & delivered in
by the Freeman.--I wrote to Mr. Dease informing him of the state of
affairs of this place and requesting 1/2 Roll Tobacco and a few awls
for the trade.--I wrote for the Tobacco the last time the Canoes went
down but was refused it on the plea that it was more required below.
I have now urged the necessity of its being sent here where it will
be much required in the Spring.--The Men are directed to make all the
expedition in their power so that they may get back before they are
stopped by the ice, no danger is apprehended of ice stopping them
before they reach the portage. Three Men Ignace, Martin & Gadwa are
ordered to start for the Fort with the letters immediately on their
arrival at the portage.
Friday 23rd
Cloudy cold weather.
The Indians are encamping about the Fort where there are now 21 Lodges.
Some are going off to the Buffalo. The Pendent Oreilles are blamed for
stealing some of the Kootany horses. It is reported likewise that the
Piegans have stolen 7 of the best horses from the Pendent Oreilles that
went first off to the Buffalo.
Two Beaver Skins, the carcass of 2 deer & a few appichimans[254] were
traded.
One of the old Freemen, Paget, father-in-law to Gadwa who was sent to
Spokan, has come & encamped at the Fort he is an old man & having only
Gadwa to depend on, he did not go off with the others. he is a very old
servant and always bore a good character. After what little provisions
he has will be done, he will probably become a burden on the Fort.--
Saturday 24
Cloudy cold weather. Wind N. W.--Some ice along the edge of the River.
The Indians[255] traded a few Appichimans and Saddles, to obtain a
little ammunition as some of them are going off.
Sunday 25th
Cloudy. Raw cold weather. Masses of ice running pretty thick down the
River.
This being Christmas Day the two men here had a dram, and we served out
extra each a ration of fresh meat, a tongue, & a quart of Flour. For
the old freeman Bastang the same.
Five Kootany Indians of the Au platte tribe arrived and traded 14
Large and 4 Small beaver, 1 Otter, 17 dressed Deer Skins and 3
(parrefliches), principally for ammunition & Knives & a little Tobacco.
Two Pendent Oreilles traded the carcasses of 2 sheep, females, the one
weighed 62 & the other 60 lbs.
Monday 26
Overcast mild weather. the river clear of ice, except some patches
along its edge.
The men employed cutting firewood.
Tuesday 27th
Overcast stormy weather. Wind Northerly.
The men employed assorting and bailing up meat.
The Indians are still trading a few appichimans, saddles &c but few
furs.
Wed.y. 28th
Cloudy cold weather. Ice running pretty thick in the River.
The Men finished assorting and baling up the meat. We have now in store
67 Bales, 84 lbs. net each, viz 36 of lean, 19 Back Fat & 12 Inside
Fat, or 3024 lbs. Lean Meat 1596 lbs. Back fats & 1008 lbs. Inside
fats, in all 5628 lbs. Some of the Indians moving a little further down
the River, but as some others are coming up in their place the number
of lodges still keeps about 20. Those Indians that remain here employ
the most of their time gambling.--
Thursday 29th
Overcast, Snowed thick the afterpart of the day. Ice running in the
River.--
The River below will probably freeze over with this weather and prevent
the Canoes from getting up.
Friday 30th
Overcast mild weather, some snow. Ice running in the river but not so
much as yesterday. Nothing doing in the way of trade except a chance
appichiman, (parrefliches) etc. The Indians occupy the greater part
of their time gambling, even where it is snowing they are playing out
of doors and a group sitting about the parties engaged watching the
progress of the game.
Saturday 31st
Snowed thick in the night and the forepart of the day. The snow lies
nearly 6 inches thick on the ground. Very little ice running in the
River. The men who were sent off to Spokan on the 22nd arrived in the
evening with letters from Mr. Dease and 1/2 Roll of Tobacco & 1/2 gross
of awls. The men had to leave the canoes yesterday below the Chutes as
the Navigation was stopped by ice. They have made a very expeditious
voyage.--
Mr. Dease in one of his letters expresses a wish that Mr. Kittson or I
would pay him a visit.--Nothing material has occurred at Spokan since
we heard from it last.
Jan.y. 1826. Sunday 1st
Stormy with heavy rain the greater part of the day, the snow has nearly
all disappeared.
This being the first day of the new year, according to custom, each
of the men got an extra ration of 6 lb. fresh venison, 2 lbs. back
fat, 1 Buffalo tongue, 1 pint of Flour and 1 pint of Rum.--At daylight
they ushered in the new year with a volley of muskerty, when they were
treated with 4 glasses each of Rum, cakes & a pipe of Tobacco. With
this and the pint given to each of them, they soon contrived to get
nearly all pretty drunk. They appeared to pass the day comfortably
enjoying themselves without quarreling. An Indian brought us a female
(Chiveaux), Round, Skin & all.--
Monday 2nd
Wind N. W. and stormy during the night and all day, but not cold, the
snow has all disappeared except on the mountains. No ice driving in the
River.
The men doing little today.
The Indians women were sent off to gather gum to repair one of the
canoes to make another trip below if the weather continues favorable.--
Tuesday 3rd.
Blew a perfect storm in the night, but calm overcast mild soft weather
during the day.
Had part of the men repairing and gumming a canoe & making paddles,
the others packing up Appechimons, dressed leather, Robes, Saddles &c
making in all 18 pieces or about 2/3 a canoe load, which is all in
readiness to start tomorrow, for the Coeur de Alan portage. I intend
going myself, with 6 men, to proceed to Spokan. I expect we will reach
the portage before the River freezes but we will probably have to walk
back.--I am induced to take this trip in consequence of Mr. Dease
expressing a wish that either Mr. Kittson or I would visit him.--Mr.
Kittson remains in charge of the place.
Wed.y. 4th
Some frost in the night. Cloudy fine weather during the day.
Left F. Head haven 20 Minutes before 8 oclock in a canoe with 8 Men.
Iroquoys, reached the Chutes[256] 20 minutes past 10. Making the
portage, which is 1380 yds. long, took more than 2 hours.--At 2 oclock
we reached the canoes the men left a few days ago and encamped to
change our canoe for a better one. The men were employed till it was
dark gumming the canoes we are going to take. The canoe though not deep
laden is a good deal lumbered, the saddles & appechimons take up a good
deal of room.
There is not much snow. a little ice along the edge of the River & on
the banks. The ice that stopped the men going up is all gone.
Two parrefliches & a little meat which the men left in cache is stolen
by the Indians.--
Thursday 5th
Overcast soft weather.
Proceeded on our journey at 1/2 past 6 oclock, reached Stony island
portage at 10 & 1/2 past 10 got across it, the canoe taken down by
water, by one oclock we reached the Heron Rapid,[257] the portage here
also occupied half an hour. the canoe & part of the baggage got down by
water. At 1/2 past 3 encamped near the Lake. A good days work. The snow
is deep at the portage we passed, and also where we are encamped but it
is soft and thawing.--It is difficult making the portage as the track
is through rough stones & the hollows being filled up with the snow,
the men with the loads tumble into the holes before they are aware.
Friday 6th
Stormy weather with heavy rain, rained hard in the night. Embarked at
day light and in an hour reached the Lake[258] where we encamped and
had to remain all day it being it being too rough to attempt crossing
it.
Saturday 7
Stormy with rain in the night.
Moderate mild weather with some rain during the day.
Embarked at 8 oclock and reached the portage[259] at 3 in the afternoon
when the goods were laid up & covered, but it being too late deferred
starting for the Fort till tomorrow.
Killed a small deer crossing the River.
Sunday 8
Soft weather with disagreeable sleet & snow showers.--
Set out an hour before day light with 4 men to cross the portage on
foot for the Fort and encamped at sun setting at the little River[260]
at the edge of the plains after a hard days walking. Two of the mens
feet got sore and I sent them back from Rat Lake.[261] Part of the road
in the middle of the woods the snow is deep &? with the thaw but not
sufficiently hard to bear ones weight, and walking through it is very
fatiguing on the other parts of the road there is little snow.--Met two
Indians in the afternoon & got a horse from them but having no saddle &
he being very poor it was a most fatiguing job to ride any distance. We
rode turn about.
Monday 9th
Soft weather Snow showers. Resumed our journey before 3 oclock in the
morning and reached Spokan[262] at 1 in the afternoon, and received a
cordial reception from Mr. Dease who with his people were found well.
There is little snow on the ground during this day's march.--
Tuesday 10th
Snowed thick the forepart of the day but soft weather & rain in the
evening so that the most of the snow had disappeared by night.--
Wed.y. 11
Overcast mild weather some light snow.
Thursday 12th
Weather as yesterday, some light snow and rain showers.
Friday 13
Sharp frost in the night but cloudy mild weather during the day.
Have made preparation to return to F. Heads tomorrow.
Sad.y. 14th
Snowing and raining all day. Having every thing ready left Spokan at
10 o'oclock for the F. Heads accompanied by my own two men, & La Bonte
& an Indian with 9 horses for the baggage that I left at the other end
of the Portage. On account of the very bad weather and having to go
round by the Chutes[263] where we were detained some time in the plains
catching two of the Inds horses, we only reached the Fountain[264] in
the plain where we encamped for the night. Every one of us completely
drenched to the skin.--There is very little snow on the plains.
Sunday 15th
Overcast mild weather some light snow & rain showers.