, 1857-10-09
The oregon State Constitution.

IL VIII DC observed tnat We nave devoted
a large space in to-day's issue by the pub
LEGATION of the State Constitution for Ore
gon, recently adopted in convention at
Salem. The citizens Of our Territory, gem
orally, feel deeply interested in its ratiGca-
tion by the people, and hence we do not
know that we could better occupy the
space accorded it with matter that would
be more acceptable to the majority of our
readers.
We regard the document as decidedly
able and creditable, and earnestly wish for
its adoption At the same time, however,
in the name of the people of Washington,
we must protest against so much Of Article
XVI as includes a portion of the Wala-
walla valley within the boundaries of the
proposed State of Oregon, and trust that
Congress, :" in providing for the admission
Of that State into tho Union, may make
the said northern boundary conform to the
act creating the Territory of Washington" "
We find the following comments upon
the documents alluded to, in the Oregon
Times Of Sept. 26:
"The deep and anxious solicitude al
ready in advance manifested by the public
for the final result Of the proceedings OF
the convention which framed this instru-
ment denotes a state of the public mind
eminently suited to searching and thor
ough, yet dspassionate, calm and liberal
investigation Of the various provisions of
that instrument they are now called upon
to endorse and sanction with their judg
ment of appreciation at the ballot-box.
Compared with either one of the constitu-
tions of the thirty.one existing States Of
the confederacy, that of Oregon can suffer
nothing of disparagement by the compari-
son. In the progress of liberal, democratic
principles, this instrument has not fallen
into line at the rear rank, but at single
bound it places Oregon in the van of pro-
gression and, as outlining futuresStatc,
this constitution conicrs upon us n simple,
just, aud equal government, upon princi.
pies of the purest aud strictest economy.
1t delegates from the hands of the people
no right and no power not essentially and
indispensibly necessary for the guardian
ship, maintenance anG protection Of those
still reserved and remaining in their hands
So wholly and thoroughly docs its wise
provisions embrace the objects which give
vitality and efficiency to good constitutional
government, that we are clear in the con-
viction that, once in successful and healthy
operation, it will be altered and changed in
no material provision for half century yet
to come. That all its features will con-
form to the wishes Of every voter in Ore
gon, is as little 10 be expected as desired /;
but that, taken in all its parts, as a com
plete whole, this constitution, so framed
will, we are sanguine, be awarded al intel
ligent appreciation and endorsement at the
hands Of the people, greater even than that
expression Of the popular will which called
the convention into existence.
1T will be observed that, in pursuance
of the policy adopted by the democratic
convention of April last, the question of
the establishment or inhibition Of slavery is
especially submitted to direct vote of the
people at the ballot-box. In this dsposi-
ton of that issue the democratic portion Of
of the convention iand they composed the
majority, did that which renders the agi-
tation Of that question, in every respect,
inoflensive and harmless. 1t is thus with
drawn not only from the political arena,
but exempted from in anywise affecting the
merits of the constitution itself. The vote
upon this question is separate and distinct
from that Of the adoption of the constitu-
tion itself--and whatever may be the judg-
ment of the majority then, that judgment
becomes component part OF the constitu
ton, when adopted.
The convention was in session for a
period of but twenty-nine days aud, when
we reflect that its members, sixty in num-
Der, hailing from almost every state in the
Union, aud each carrying with him into its
deliberations something of the partialites
and prejudces of the states from which
they respectively came, it cannot be de-
MED that the duty to which they were de-
puted has been performed in manner
worthy of public endorsement, aud emf
nently honorable to themselves as O body"
nE r-D