, 1854-05-20
Speech of Mr., NrCOnaha

npttNu VI 4ul' MttVhuhu
At the close of the Legislative Assembly :
MR. McCoNAiIA arose and said -
Senators,-l am not insensble 10 the
generous sruIiments and approbalory char
actrr OF thp resolution which has just re-
ceived our unanimous sanction. am new
erlheless too conscious that the compliment
sry language in which it is couched, is more
10 be ascribed 10 the manlinrss of the mo-
yer than 10 any real merit Of mine. How
ever glatiiying 10 Inc to know that my OH
cial acts have met with the un4uali6- ID ap-
proyal OF those over whom ! have for Il
short period BEEN chosen TO preside, il is
doubly so when coming from the source ii
does. ] have seen snd know something Of
mpn both mentally and physically. think
that know something OF my species aud
am not altogether a stranger 10 the business
of legislation. and the maneuveIing OF le-
gislsiivp bodies, aud it is due 10 you and to
the intelligent constituency whose represent
alives you are, that | should declare that in.
fidelity 10 the people--in siAg leness Of pur-
pose, this body will not only compare favor
ably with any similar assemblage, but IN
point OF ability and industry, those chaIac-
ierislics willAiand in bold relief when Con-
II astrd with any delIbsrative body that it
has ever been my fortune 10 observe Al
though BY the terms of the organic act the
limit of this session was fixed at one hun
drpd days, we have only been sitting but
little more than sixty, in which time you
have transacted more business than is gen
orally performed in twice thai time. All
and each of the laws Of Oregon which were
IN force OF the time Of our Territorial organ
zaiion have been repealed, aud one letter
adapted 10 our wants substituted, for each
one so repealed thus has our legislature
secured 10 our Territory a new aud greatly
improved code.
10 the course Of your deliberations, ques.
lions Of grave moment have been discussed
and determined, and am compelled to say
that upon une occasion, in the heat Of warm
debate, your presiding officer was not en-
tirrly free from that excitement Of feeling
so incident thereto, but shortly all unklld
feelings were consigned to oblivion and
kind and friendly relations were restored.
This was as il should be. Men when en-
gagged in the discussion Of exciting topics
when each one Is seeking 10 impress his
own honest convictions upon the minds Of
oihrrs, may in the efrrvescence Of debate
use language susceptible of unkind interpTr.
tion; but is not such language so natural that
il furnishes generally the most unInslakabe
evidence of candor and sincerity upon the
part of its ulterer, exempt g him from any
real intention 10 wound the feelings Of op.
ponents. Except the solitary instance to
which | have referred, extraordinary good
feeling has characterized your actions, and
whenever that warmth of debate has been
removed, all of you, senators, have invaria
bly, exhibited a commrndable spifit OF def,
ereuce 10 the opinions Of blolhers on this
floor.
Senators, have long considered that the
greatest curse which at this day sflicis the
American people, is the fact that a numerous
but worthless class ni irresponsible mrn, and
time serving, professional politicians, inces-
sanity haunt the sessions Of every State and
Territorial legislature, seeking office and
place, asking BONUSES and gifts, urging spec
ulatve, special, and fraudulent legislation.
These oul door jobbers and hangSrs-on are
numerous, and our national Congress is al
times bcsel with their offensive presence.
That pressure If endravored to be created
he e, has signally failed, and appeal to you,
senator's, always to frOwn down such move
menls. Let US go back TO first principles;
let us initiate the example Of our fathers,
statesmen, and not mere iine-seTvng poll
lIcians; 1t Us end.avor 10 emulate their
virtues and transmit 10 poslerity unsullied,
unlsTnish1d and undimmPd, the maichltss
and beautiful system of democratic govern
ment which their integrity and patriotism
bequealhed US.
GenIlemen, you will pardon me il | in
dulge in few personal allusions, for how
ever unbeco ming such would ordna iy be
on occasions like this, the peculiar circum-
stances with which have been surround d
during my residence in this country will
trust be my ample apology. For near
year two Of the time Striving presses in Or
rgon have been teeming with abuse If my
self, based upon personal attack and reit.
Grating the personal abuse which received
from California Journal. Al the time
when these attacks were made upon mr. the
only pres in this Territory, owned aud
controlled BY men who differed with me in
polAios, the dooF vas bIrFsl % uy deFtne4