The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-08-16
SENATE, AUG. l0-OREGoN BILL.

Mr. Webster obtained the floor, and adj
dressed the Senate on the subject in his most
earnest and effective manner. lie said,
at is desirable, Sir, undoubtedly, that
there should be established, as soon as may
be, proper Government for the Territory of
Oregon; and am willing to vote for the bill
to establish such Government which has come
to us from the House of Representatives, but
if amended as proposed by the proposition for
amendment now under the consideration Of
the Senate, shall not be able to vote for the
bill
The 18th section of this bill provides that
the inhabitants of said Territory shall be en-
titled TO enjoy all the singular rights, privi-
leges and advantages granted and secured to
the people of the Territories OF the United
States Northwest of the Ohio, by the arti-
Giles of contract contained in ordinance for
the government of said Territory, passed 18th
of July, 1887, and shall be subject to all the
conditions and restrictions and prohibitions
of said articles of compact imposed upon the
citizens of said Territory. 1t is well known
that by the ordinance Of 18th July, 787, in
voluntary seryitude, except ms punishment
for crime, was excluded from the Northwest
Territory.
The proposal now before the Senate is to
give reason for applying that rule to the
Territory of Oregon, and that reason is in
the words of the amendment -" inasmuch
as the said Territory is north of the parallel |
of &c deg and 80 min. of north latitude, us
ually known az the Missouri Compromise"
| understand, sir, that when Il man does an
act, and undertakes to give reasons for that
act, and gives but one, without suggesting
that there arc others, the world is fairly emit
tied to draw the inference that he has no 9th.
er reason. For my part, sir, should think
that with this proviso in the section, the i'm
oication would be irresistible, that il the Ter
'itory were south Of the parallel Sc deg 80
min the proposition of the ordinance Of 1887 +
would not be applied. For one, | wish 10
'void all committals, all traps by way Of pre-
lmhle or recital; and as do not intend to
iiscuss the question at large, ! content myself
With saying, in few words, that my opposi- /
ion to the farther extension of local Slavery t
n this country or to the increase of Slave
in Congress, is general and ,
Universal. 1t has no reference to the limits
f latitude or points of the compass. | shall =,
ppose all such extension and all such in
rease, in all places, ut all times, under all /
even against all inducements,
gainst all supposed limitation OF great inter-
SITS, against all combinations, against all COM
romiSe. This is short, but | hope clear and +"
1t is merely to announce $
~ purpose, and l have no more to say Z
ganst this bill. If be the pleasure of the !.
enate to Take it as it came from the House =
Representatives, it shall have my support. !
amended, shall vote against it. So much T.
n the Oregon Territory.
With respect to California and New Mex
%, no subject regarding them is before the L
onate, and therefore have only one remark s.
make, and that is, the controversy which T
as arisen in the councils of the country re- ID
,ecting the Government of these Territories, Ii
just exactly that controversy which sup Y,
'sed it very easy to foresee from the very
,ginning easier to see from the beginning,
fear, than it is now to foresee peaceable
ID satisfactory termination oft. That SUBJ 10
ct is not now before us. l will therefore 81
y no more upon it, but that am happy in I
Q reflection that, for one, had nothing TO CT
with the commencement of the late war b.
til Mexico, but to oppose it with all nv 10