Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1848-08-24
E + An. s"" asixr, Secs
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT,
ANNOUNCING HIS APPROVAL
OF THE OREGON BILL.

OF THE OltEGON BILL.
To The House Of Rep eseatatircs Of The United
States:
When the President has given his official sane.
ton to bill which has passed Congress, usage
requires that he shall notify the house in which it
originated Of that fact, The mode Of giving this
notification has been by an oral message delivered
BY his private secretary.
Having this day approved and signed an act en-
titled San act 10 establish the territorial government
Of Orcgou,' | deem it proper, under the existing
circumstances, to communicate the fact in Il moro
solemn form
The deeply interesting and protracling discus
sions which have taken place III both Houses Of
Congress, and the absorbing interest which the
subject has excited throughout the country, justify
in my Judgment, this departure from the form Of
notice observed in olhci cases
In this communication with coordinate branch
OF the government, made proper by the consdera-
lions referred 10, shall frankly, and without Ie-
serve, express the reasons which have constrained
me no, 10 withhold my signature from the bill 10
establish movement over Oregon, even though
the two territories Of New Mexico and California
are 10 be left for the present, without governments
None doubt that it is proper TO establish govern
menl in Oregon. Indeed, it has been 100 long
delayed, | have made repeated reccommenda-
'i"ns to rnngrnss to this effect. The petitions Of
the people OF that distant region have been present.
Cd to the government, and ought not be disregard
ed. To give them a regularly organized govern
ment and the protection Of our laws which, as
cld1ens Of the United States, they claim, is high
duty on our part, and one which we are bound to
perform, unless there be controlling reasons to
prevent it.
In the progress of all governments, questions Of
such lranscendan, importance occasionally arise,
as 10 cast in the shade all those of II mere party
character. But one such question can now be az.
ltalcd IN this country; and this may endanger our
glorious Union, the source of OUT greatness and all
our political blessings. This question is slavery
With the slave holding States this does not en-
brace merely the rights Of property, however val
liable; but it ascends far higher, and involves the
domestic peace and security of every family,
The fathers of the constilution-the wise and
patriotic men who laid the Foundation of our insli-
rutons - foreseeng the danger from this quarter,
acted in Split of compromise and mutual con-
ccsson on This dangerous and delicate subject; and
their wisdom ought TO be the guide of their success
sors While they left to the States exclusively the
question Of domestic slavery within their respective
limits, they provided ha, slaves who might escape
into other States not recognising the nstsullon OF
slavery, shall abe delivered up on the claim Of the
party to whom such service or labor may be due"
Upon this foundation the matter rested unit! the
Missouri question arose.
In December, 1919, application WIS made 10
Congress by the people of the Missouri territory
for admission into the Union as a State. The dis
cussion upon the subject in Congress involved the
question Of slavery, and was prosecuted with such
violence as to produce exciIements alarming 10
every patriot in The Union But the good genius
Of Cancellation which presided at the birth of our
institutions finally prevailed and The Missouri
compromise was adopted. The eighth section of
hc ocl Of Congress of the 9th Of March, 1920, "to
authorize the people Of the Missouri territory 10
orm constitution and State government" &c,
provides: "1hat in all that territory ceded by
France to the United States, under tho name OF
ouisioup. which lies North Of thirtyslX degrees
md thirty minutes North latitude, not included
within the limits Of tho State contemplated by this
,ct, slavery and involuntary servitnde, otherwise
han in tho punishment of crimes, whereof tho
,nrlies shall have been duly convicted, shall be.
md is hereby, forever prohibited; Provided always
That any person escaping into the 'ame' h0m