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

In the House of Representatives, Janua-
ry 80, 1916, (the House being in CON-
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 legisla-
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 longer? The excitement which
pervaded this House few days since on
kindred subject, which went far beyond
anything | had ever witnessed on any
previous occasion, and which resulted so
gloriously 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 is no ordinary question. of an hour.
The consequence OF our decision on this
bill relates not to the present generation
merely; il reaches to posterity, and infiu-
ences the fate of unborn millions. 1t 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 to 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.
It's 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.
tlemen seem TO claim the peculiar guar
dianship Of the bill; and appeals are made
to southern members to come forward anC
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
proPriate it exclusively to themselves
The annexation Of Texas and the extern
sion of our laws over the Territory of Or
egon, come home to the hearts of tht
whole American people, and intimately
concern every Individual who loves ths
honor, and glory, and power, and position
OF his country. Both are great nationa
questions; both equally worthy Of the ia
vorable consideration Of the statesman ami
philosopher; and although the measur,
before US may increase the politica
strength, wealth, and power of the North
yet, as a southern man, and devoted Il
her interests, disdain all such reflections
| fling them behind me, and come up f
Its support with all the ability possess
with an earnest zeal for the public good
and in the spirit of devotion to the who'll
country with which invoked gentlemel
to support the resolutions for annexation
hate this eternal pandering 10 sectiona
PIreIudlce-this everlasting effort to bese
alienation OF feeling, and 20 engende
STRIFE where harmony and unity should ex
lst. My constituents were for Texas, bu
they were for Oregon too. When the
spoke out for annexation, they said occui
patton too. II they expressed ihemseIve
more frequently, boldly, and PROMINENT
for the lost Pleiad-the lone star--it wa
simply because stronger and more vigo
rous resistance was made to her returnt
the family circle, and that resistance, pre-
ceeding from the absurd ground that sh
had defied herself with the institution {