The daily union., 1846-04-29
THE OREGON JURISDICTION BILL

are to be maintained there can, as we conceive be
but small difference ofopnion as To the principle OF the
Oregon bill as recently adopted IN the House Sueh
bill seems to follow naturally in the footsteps OF a
measure designed TO put an end to the existing con-
,sntion. or what use is the notice, unless we are
prepared to follow il up by acts OF legislation, in
tended to carry into effect firmly, but with all due
caution and moderation our territorial rights IN Ore
eon, The notice waa recommended as the first step
towards an effeciual claim Of these rights The Ore
gon bill proposes only to take care of III terrtory
we claim, and Of the people there who owe TO US,
and who willingly render 10 US, their allegiance.
In times past the efforts Of Congress to establish
our jurisdiction in Oregon have failed mainly
in view Of two obstacles Against such legislation
il has been alleged in the first place, that the time
for it had not yet coms that delay would strengthen
us in that region; and that there no demand for
any action at our hands which might arrest the at
tention Of the British government, and so induce
counter action, which must result to our disadvan-
tage.
This objection has never struck US forcibly. But
whatever force il may onoe have had, it is now
ly out Of date. Certainly no man can say that in
noe passing Oregon bill, with suitable Provi-
sions we are acting too early too fast The time
has come Eyents-the whole progress Of the
question, including our own action upon it-have
brought the day for farther action along with them
Our citizens in Oregon have for years been asking
us for the protection Of law. Ii can now hardly
be denied that they have the right to demand such
protection.
But the convention has heretofore been thought to
stand in the way Of any extension Of our laws in
this territory. We have been urged to avoid any
action which might give offence to Great Britain.
With her own statute OF 1921 in force it is not easy
to see how Great Britain could reasonably find Of
fence in similar legislation on our part. But how
ever this may be, no such objection can touch the
bill now passed by the House. That bill, with
moderation not to be found in the English statute
specially and in terms excepts from its jurisdiction
all British subjects and hands them to English
authorities to be tried by their own laws In the
same manner the section Of the bill respecting grants
Of land only provides that such grants shall hereafter
be made. In word if the bill shall become a law
in the form in which it has been passed by the
House, it will stand a witness Of the scrupulous
respect of our government for all its treaty supula
tons In this respect it is proper to say the bill
does moro than justice to the whole spirit of the
Executive recommendation Of measures for the pro-
lection Of Oregon. Against such bill the conven-
ton, during the brief period Of its existence yet to
un is manifestly no objection. Against such bill
Great Britain has no imaginable cause Of complaint,
except indeed she complain of it as part and parcel
ofa policy which is destined, ere long, fully to rein.
state us in the possession Of territory which is
ours of right. Against the mode Of reinstatement
proposed in this bill, Great Britain can make OBJ
lection. 1t is peaceful; it is just. 1t is in full OBJ
servance of treaty stpulations; and though per-
haps, in some respects less efficient than might be
desired, it will, in Judgment nevertheless, do
much to aid us hereafter in the assertion and main
tenance Of our rights to that territory.
We have said that the provisions Of the bill are
proper during the existence Of the convention. Let
us add that such provisions indispensably neces
sary, SO soon the convention shall come to close.
To abrogate the convention, and then leave the
American citizens in Oregon wholly without the
restraint and protection Of law, is to assume fear
full responsibility. 1t is to fold hands, to remain
passive spectators, and let things take their own
nature of man remains unchanged, must ere long
lead to trouble, and out Of which trouble may
come no man knows how soon. Besides this,
to let the convention expire, and yet to
fuse to bring our citizens in Oregon within the
recognition Of our laws, is clearly to fail Of the
duty which we owe to them and which they ask al
our hands. We not how any statesman can
willingly meet this responsibility. But if this ses,
sion Of Congress shall pass without the enactment
of a law for Oregon, this responsibility must be
met Wait till another session of Congress and it
| will be too late The convention will then doubt
less be rapidly drawing to n close. Then, at least
six neutrality-suspicious. more--will be needed to pu,
the machinery Of the bill into action; and time
our countrymen in Oregon will be left, at the very
crisis of their fate condition of utter outlawry
| and enlargement from us. Nay more; after the
convention shall have been abrogated our citizens
there will in the absence of Oregon BILL remain
wholly Mt the mercy of the British law, which Par.
| Lament has extended over the whole regicn. There
will, in that case, be nothng-neither American
law nor treaty stipulation any other protection
to stand between them and the jurisdiction of the
courts Of Canada.
Who can doubt that such course on our part
would be in high degree unworthy and unwise
Besides what shall we gain by delay Shall we
protect our rights better, by putting off their pro-
tecton' Shall we settle the question sooner, by
stopping short at the very first step towards a se-
dement, Will the temper Of the people, either in
Oregon or at home, be improved by farther procras.
tination' Will an Oregon bill be an easier matter
next winter than it is now' Will it be any safer
then, or any more eficacous' For ourselves, we
believe that nop is the hour for action. We would
urge such action as has in it no vrong-doing and
no jus, cause Of offence such action as, conceived
in firm and pacific spirit, will wisely protect our
citizens and our rights. Such action we find in the
measure which the House has sanctioned. We
trust that it will receive without delay the sanction
Of the Senate.
Il oREeoN EMeRANrs--I is said Ex-Governor
Boogs viii head one Of the emigrating companies