The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-01-21
WASHINGTON CITY.
FRIDAY. JANUARY ri, 1859.
THE ADMISSION oF oREGoN.

Importance not only TO the people of Oregon
but to the inhabitants Of California and Washing
ton-should continue TO lnger like English chan
Gerry suit and receive action at the hands of the
House except that indispensable to further delay is
a matter it seems to us, scarcely susceptible of a
satisfactory explanation.
The people of Oregon, in the rightful and legiti-
mate exercise of their rights after the most mature
deliberaton, organized State government They
had for ten years known the dependency and vassa-
age of territorial form of government, aud by a
vote of three or four to they resolved upon
Stunning the duties and responsibilities of State gov
eminent. Every step to the contamination of this
purpose was taken in good order and in peace aud
quiet The election of members of the constitutional
convention, the assemblage of the members of the
convention their deliberations the formation of the
constitution, its adoption by the people, and the
election of officers under the constitution, were all
accomplished without single instance of the confu
sion disorder, violence, and bloodshed which has
characterized if not disgraced other regions during
the period The harmony and good order
which prevailed in the organization of the State is
justly attributable to the good of the people
The people of Oregon, unmolested by schemes of
agitation and left wholly to themselves, have peace
fully, regularly, and legally established their State
governments government, so far as its funda-
mental law is concerned, comparing fayorably
with that of any other State in the Union, and
now that they ask admission at this late hour OBJ
jections urged On at least two different occa-
sions acts passed in the House of Representa-
tves authorizing the people of Oregon to frame
constitution and State government These acts failed
to pass the Senate only for want of time the latter of
which came to its third reading with the unanimous
recommendation of the Committee on Territories in
favor of its passage. The people of Oregon chose
to regard this action of Congress authorizing them
to establish State government. This view of the
matter most assuredly confirmed at the last ses
sion of Congress in the act of the Senate passing by
a twothrds vote the bill for the admission of Ore
gon pending in the House of Representatives.
The outside interference which, happily, the peo
pie of Oregon escaped in the act establishing their
State government, is, however, threatened now upon
the question of admission. The people in the
adoption of their constitution, decided that they did
not want slaves, and still less did they want free
Hcblo iast, III sctiiS, uUpala-
table in certain sensitive, too-sympathzing quarters
whilst the rights and privileges awarded to white
foreigners seems to be so much matter of objec-
ton that it only be stated in terms of mis-
representation. The Boston DAILY advertiser of
few days since urged the following objection against
the admission:
The constitution of Oregon also provides that for
eigners who have not even taken the preliminary steps
towards naturalization shall enjoy the right of suffrage
so that the alien who has arrived to-day who does not
understand syllable of language may become
citizen of this country and in short possesses
of the rights of citizenship than transient visitor may
vote tomorrow for presidential electors. .
1t may be, and it probably is, unfair to infer that
the editor of the Auerser read the constitution
of Oregon against which he seeks to array the pub
lie sentiment within the circle of his influence but
the reading has certainly been without instruction
if he did not mean to pervert and msrepresent the
constitution of Oregon. Article H. entitled suffrage
and elections section 2, of the constitution of Ore
gon provides that
In all elections not otherwise provided for by this
constitution, every white male citizen of the United
States of the of twenty years and upwards who
shall have resided in the State during the six months
preceding such election and every white male of foreign
birth, of the age of twenty years and upwards rho
shall hare resided IN The United States year. and shall hare
Te0en IN tH otHe d'iy nouns ffHie1idftY
such sectio and shall hare declared his become ci-
Qfhs Lnod States year preceding election conform
ably to the laws of the United States the subject of
naturalization shall be entitled to vote at all elections
authorized by law
The clause comforting the elective franchise on
the foreigner in Oregon bears resemblance to the
misrepresentation of the Aduertiser The provision
is less liberal than those upon the same subject
in the constitutions of Indiana Illinois, and other
western States. In the last named States foreigner
may declare his intention to become citizen on the
very day of election and exercise the elective fran
chise; whilst in Oregon he would be required to |
show residence of twelve months subsequent to
the date of filing his declaration of intention The
Adcer'sers Misrepresentation of this clause of the
constitution would seem to indicate purpose to ag
tate even when agitation avail nothing but TO oc
casion injustice to people whose only sin is read in
the peaceful but firm and manly exercise of their
rights American citizens, and in their obedience
to the solemn obligations and requirements Of Tho
constitution, and in their devotion to the Union.
r 1t seems to us that all considerations of nub |
Tic policy counsel the immediate admission &c
this second State of the Pacific There ia but |
one ground of policy on which we have fell any
doubt in regard to the measure and that ;s that |
it would conflict with the policy laid down at the
last session of Congress by the majority of that