The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-11-26
THE CONSTITUTION OF OREGON.


The Constitution, probably ere this ratified
by the people of Oregon, at any rate, framed
by the Constitutional Convention, has the fol.
lowing as the fret section of its Bill of Rights
We declare that all men. when they form, a
social compact, are equal in rights that sll
power Is Inherent in the poole, ard all free gov
ernments are founded on their authority. and in
stituted for their peace safety, aid happiness
and they have at all times a right To aiter 70.
form, or abolish the government, in such man.
ner as they may think proper"
Article second, section sixth, reads as fol.
lows:
mo negro, Chinsman, or uaulatto. shall have
the right of suffrage"
This is Modern Democracy!
The question of Slavery goes to the people in
the following manner, for their decision:
Each elector, who offers to vote upon this
Constitution, shall be asked BY the INDIES of
election this question Do you vote for the Con.
sttution, yes CT no? and also this ouestioa. Do
you vote for Slavery in Oregon, yes or MOP and
also this question: Do you vote for free negroes
In Oregon, yes or no? And in the poll. books
shall be columns headed, respectively, 'Consti.
tuition yes Constitution no. Slavery yes.
slavery no., Free negroes yes,' Free negroes
no. Aid the names of the electors SHALL be
entered in the poll-books, together with their
answers 70 the said questions, under their ap-
propfiate heads. The abstracts of the votes,
transmitted to the Secretary oE the Territory,
shall be publicly opened and ct.nvassad bv tbe
governor and Secretary, or By either of them.
IN the absence Of the other; and the Govarn'
or, or In his absence the Secretary, shall forth
with issue his proclamation, and publish the
same IN the several newspapers printed in this
state, declaring the result of the said election
upon each of the said questions.
s. IL majority of all the votes given for
ana against the Constitution shall be given for
the Constitution, then this Constitution shall
be deemed to be approved and accented by the
electors of the State, ard shall take effect az.
cordlngly; aud if a majority Of such votes shall
be given against the Constitution, then this
Constitution shall be deemed 10 be rejected by
the electors of the State, and ehall be void.
~: Ii this Constitution shall be accented by
the electors, aud minority Of all the votes
gwen Tor and against Slavery, shall be given
Tor Slavery, then the following section shall be
ADDED to the Bill of Rights, and shall be part
of this Constitution:
SEC. Persons lawfully held az slaves in
any State, Territory, or District Of the United
States, under the laws thereof. NAV be brouobt
into this State, and such slaves and their dc.
scendants may be held as slaves within th;g
state, and ehall not be emancipated without the
consent Of their owners.
AND If a majority of such votes shall be
gwen against Slavery, then the foregoing sec.
ton shall not, but the following section shall
be added TO the Bill of Rights, and shall be a
part of this Constitution:
" SEC. =. There shall be neither Slavery nor
involuntary servitude in this State, otherwise
than as punishment for crime. whereof the
party shall have been duly convicted.
" And If aj0rity of all the votes given for
and against free negroes shall Be given against
Tree negroes, the following section shall be
added to the Bill Of Rights and shall be part of
this Constitution
" SEC. -. No free negro or nulatto. not resi-.
ding IN this State at the time of the adoption Of
thls Constitution, shall ccme, reside or be with.
IN this State, or hold any real estate, or make
any contracts, or maintain any sal. therein :;
ana the Legislative Assembly shall provide.
oy penal laws, for the removal, by public eff.
GERS, OF all such negroes and mulattoes. and for
Their ettectual exclusion from this State. aud
LOT the punishment of persons who shall bring
tnem INTO the State, or employ or barbor them
The vote of the people Ct Oregon upon the
Constitution was to have been taken on the 9th
OF the present month Its ratification is pretty
certain, but time alone can determine whether
Slavery is established in the new State. We
hope for the best, but have fears that the Sham
Democrats may have triumphed over the
friends of Freedom.