Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-03-05
GoMgrfsstnmal.
SPEECH OF
HoN'L JACOB THOMPSON, Of Miss,
ON THE OREGON BILL.


In the House of Representatives, Janua-
ry 80, lS45, (the House being in com.
mittee Of the whole,) Mr.. THOMPSON
addressed the committee as follows:
Mr.. Chairman: The discussion and pas.
sage of this bill through the House will
form an era in the history Of the legsla-
ton Of this country; and | should have
preferred that, before had been called up
on to express my own views, those who
are in the opposition had given to the
committee and the country the grounds on
which they will resist this measure. AL
though this bill has been Under discussion
for three days, little or no difference of
opinion has been manifested. And if we
all are really Of one mind, why debate the
question onger2 The excitement which
peryaded this House few days since on
kindred subject, which went far beyond
anything | had ever witnessed on any
previous occasion, and which resulted so
goriously for our country, would natural
ly be followed by depression, and induce
the minority to halt and hesitate in throw.
ing themselves in opposition TO this great
onward movement Of our country.
This sno ordinary question of an hour.
The consequence Of our decision on this
bill relates not to the present generation
merely; il reaches 10 posterity, and nfiu-
ences the fate Of unborn millions. Il leads
to the securement or the loss Of an en-
pire. It may seriously affect our foreign
relations, and It does extend important
rights and privileges 10 a very respecta-
bic portion Of American citizens. A ques-
ton of such magnitude, and fraught with
such consequences, is not to be lightly con-
sidered, nor passed with cool indifference.
1t is quite perceptible that certain gen
tlemen desire to get up and maintain the
idea that the occupation Of Oregon is a
northern question. Some northern gen.
iIemen seem 70 claim the peculiar guar
dianship Of the bill; and appeals are made
to southern members TO come forward and
sustain this great northern measure. How
ever much it may suit certain gentlemen
who occupy peculiar position on anoth-
er measure for the acquisition Of territory,
so to regard this, | deny their right to ap-
propriaie Exclusively to themselves
The annexation Of Texas and the exten-
sion Of our laws over the Territory Of Or
egon, come home to the hearts Of the
whole American people, and intimately
concern every individual who loves the
honor, and glory, and power, and position
OF his country. Both are great national
questions; both equally worthy Of the "a
vorable Consideration of the statesman and
philosopher; and although The measure
before US may increase the political
strength, wealth, and power Of the North,
yet, as southern man, and devoted to
her interests, disdan all such reflections;
fling them behind me, and come up to
lis support with all the ability possess,
with an earnest zeal for the public good,
and in the spirit Of devotion TO the whole
country with whish invoked gentlemen
to support the resolutions for annexation.
hate this eternal pandering 10 sectional
Prejudice--shis everlasting effort TO beget
alienation Of feeling, and 20 engender
strife where harmony and unity should ex-
~. My constituents were for Texas, but
they were for Oregon too. When they
spoke out for annexation, they said occu-
patton too. II they expressed themselves
more frequently, boldly, and prominently
for the lost Pleiad--thc lone star--it was
simply because stronger and more vigo-
nous resistance was made to her return to
tho family circle, and that resistance. pro-
eeeding from the absurd ground that she
nad deSled herself with the institution Of