The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-03

Like winds from the mountains, like praries afanS
Clear the way, the Pathfinder moves on in oft,
And our hearts shall keep the Fremont
BILL TO AUTHORIZE A STATE GOvER IMENT
IN OREGON
June 23d, quite spicy debate toolt place
in Committee of the Whole on the state of the
Union, on the bill to authorize the People of
Oregon to form a State Constitution. L was
opposed by several Southern members osten-
sibly upon the ground that the populatijI was
not sufficient to authorize its organizatitp as a
State. Some of them assumed thatthiss iould
be equal to the existing ratio of repI sfenta-
ton. 1t is well understood that no saeh re-
quirement is made by the Constitution Sec
ton second, after determining the mode in
which representatives and direct taxes sh Ill be
apportioned, provides that "the number o. rep
resentatives shall not exceed one for ewes thir-
ty thousand, but each State shall have fs..least
one representative" 1t is possible thai here
after Congress may adopt ratio of Representa-
ton higher than the absolute population of
some State, but would that State therefore be
deprived of it's right to be represented?s Ore
gon may be admitted as a State, with a. popu-
lation, as in the case of Florida, less than the
general ratio of representation, and ye.. have
its Representative, in strict conformity to con-
stitutional authority. This view is completely
sustained by Mr.. Toombs, of Georgia, who, the
same day in the Senate, explaining his bill to
restore peace in Kansas, by authorizing the
People thereof to form State Consti: Ition,
met the objection raised against such a meas
ure on account of the small population Of the
Territory, as follows
"The measure, as propose it, is liasle to
but one grave objection, and that is rot sn OBJ.
lection of principle, but of expediency 1t is
solely based on the want of the propes nSmber
of inhabitants. This requisite is nj in pera-
tive upon Congress; we may waive itsif in our
judgment, the public interest demandtits and,
in my Judgrnont. it does demand this tepsrture
from what | admit to be ordinarily he safer
rule"
One or two of the Southern opponents of the
Oregon bill denied, emphatically, tha, their OPP
position was dictated in any way by sans dera-
tons connected with the subject of Sla err, but,
We must believe, that their case is except onal.
The opposition, for the most part, / placed
upon grounds on which the admission of K an.
sas is to be resisted, and doubtless ows out
of disposition, if not purpose, to pos, pole the
admission of Oregon, until Kansas fas been
prepared to be brought in as Slave Safe /;
with the hope of so linking them toget herr that
the admission of one shall depend OF tkst of
the other.
Towards the close of the debate, i'd
dinge, in the course of few remarks, was in.
terrupted by Mr.. Zollicoffer with the poeStion,
whether, if Oregon or Kansas were now app ying
for admission with Constitution rect n-sing
Slavery, he would vote for either? Mr.. g., sSare
of the use to be made of his expected .ns sers,
promptly replied:
81 would vote according to the die ats of
justice. / will administer to gentlemen OF. one
section Of the country the same justice WHICH
would administer to gentlemen of the CheS.
have but one rule, and am not aboutt sV.,rve
because of the existence of such an ms itusion
/ will measure out the same rule of jIiti,e to
all men,"
Mr.. Dunn, of Indiana, who must b,ve un.
derstood the reply, desired, however, sohe,aing
more explicit.
After series questions and answers, Mr.
Giddings, with his usual dexterity, beca nesud-
denly the interrogation, and an amusing clio
guy took place:
"Mr. Giddings. want to know if tie gen.
tleman holds that all men have the same rights,
emanating from the same source, and qrally
entitled to protection in the enjoyment OF than?
MIR. Dunn. 1 am not either myself = AN
kee, nor am ] ordinarily disposed to be pug off
By the Yankee resort of answering one q ae:iion
by asking another. | will answer that qaeesion
directly and explicitly, SO that no MIN :s;an
misunderstood what mean, when the praper
time arrives. But l now ask the genilenan
from Ohio to meet the question prop uisded
squarely: . !.
'"Mr. Giddings That gentleman cannotfa an
derstand or suppose that will finch from an
svering eny question he may PROFOUND. I2ud
cries of Answer him r Don't dodgei'lF
that gentleman goes with me in The four ssa0n
of it? 3.
Mr.. Dunn. For the satisfaction of SEN
tleman, and to relieve him, l tell him, what !
have said here before, as he well knows, That
by the law of nature and of God, which regog-
Mise as the highest Of all laws, all men trven-
titled to be free, until, by some misdeed OF tieir
own, that right is forfeited. Now, tx he
gentleman to answer me my question So aesly.
There is no occasion for any evasion.
Mr.. Giddings. Now, then, my friend ard
atand together. There is no mistake al Qua it.
That gentleman's whole heart and my Whole
soul beat in unison.
Mr.. Dunn. The gentleman has not asasr-
ed my queztion. How far we agree may -np-
pear better hereafter. One word will insAr
my question-ay or no?
Mr.. Giddings. then say that wiz niger
vote for the admission Of any State who's Con.
stitution is adverse to the rights of God sn.s of
nature. / ask my friend if he would te. Cor
any whose Constitution was at variane vsth
these rights2
Mr.. Dunn. ! would not, so far as I arAas
and Nebraska are concerned. $
Mr.. Giddings. ask my friend if he we.tld
vote for the admission of any State that trsm-
pies upon those rights? = =
Mr.. Dunn. will answer the gentlen ap-ex-
plicltly, and trust be win be equally dire ~.
Mr.. Giddings. That's right.
Mr.. Dunn. If Texas were TO apply fec C
partition of her territory into other STATE ym-
bracing, in the part so proposed to be Sc. sElrt,
population such as was contemplated IN he
joint resolutions Of annexation, south Of u as-