, 1859-04-15
OrsgOns Admission in Washington City

/ puOllSahlo'n'
OregOnS Admission in Washington City
1t would seem that the admission OF
/ Oregon into the Union created o greater
scnsation-called up q larger amount Of
enthusiasm in Washington, than the passage
of any other bill or measure by Congress
for a long time. The event was celebrated
in that city on the evening Of the day the
bill passed the House, by general sere-
made. In one of the demonstrations, the
Star of the l4th February says that about
halfpast nine o'clock n large concourse of
citizens, headed by the full Marine Band,
marched to BRowN's Hotel, where Gen.
JOSEPH LANE, Senator elect from the State
of Oregon, was stopping, After several
stirring airs had been executed by the
band, Gov STEVENS, Of Washington Terri
tory appeared upon the balcony and intro
duced Gen. LANE, who briefly addressed
the nssembage in very neat and pertinent
speech. Ho was succeeded by d. W.
VOORHEES,, Esq, u s. District Attorney
| for the State OF Indiana; Hon. NJ IL.
NICHOLS, of Ohio; Senator GREEN Of Mis-
souri,; Hon CHARLES l.. ScoTr, Of Califor-
fornia; Hon JOHN LErcHER, of Virginia,
and others, who made short congratulatory
speeches, which were received with great
enthusiasm by the Crowd.
| The PREsIDENT.- procession was then formed
and the line Of march taken up for the White House
and the whole space In front Of the porch was speedily
| filled by an immense throng The President, in re-
spOnse tn repeated calls, appeared at window. He
| presumed, he said, from this handsome demonstra
ton that the Oregon bill had passed 1t had not yet
come to him, bat when 1t did he rather thought he
should not veto it. He sincerely congratulated them
glorious confedeacy OF republics State, too stu
atcd the very shores Of the Pacific, favored with
fine climate, cxuberant soil, and filed with tried
and nOble Democrats. The elevation OF General Lane
who had proved himself gallant soldier In war, and
great statesman in peace, was also ht subject fol
rejoicing 1t was an honor that he had fairly deserved
| by his exertions TO bring this new State into the
Union. Expansion was in future the policy Of oul
eountry EDWARDS alone feared and opposed it, Thank
| ing them for the honor paid him, Nj. Buchanan con
cluded by calling for Yankee Doodle which was admi
rably performed by the Marine Band.
TIE VICE PRESIDENT j. G. Breckenridge
Vice President Of United States responded briefly and
happily. IL did not amount to much IN the United
States to admit State for that was done every
year or two, and they expected 10 contnue to do it.
nnth We had whole hemisphere dotted with new
from fOaF seas 10 tne tropics. lie cOn
essed that he felt deep interest in this Question: in
his limited sphere and whenever he oOnld, be gave
/ the bill push. lie did not doubt that the President
would sign the bill on Monday next, and then he
pected 10 swear both Senators In to stand by the Cen
stitution. Being called upon 10 say something about
/ Cuba, he remarked that talked too much and too
I little. When England wished to do a thing, sue did
it, and talked alterward. II the island OF Cuba in
stead Of being placed at the mouth Of the Gulf OF
Mexico. laid at the opening Of the English channel
England would take i in ten days. He was 10 favor
OF the acquisition Of Cuba He WOud not rob for it,
but he would act with any portion Of his fellOw-c
zen' 10 using, all honorable means to acquire il. m
sESAroR DotoLAs.4 Hon. 8. ADonrIas being
called upon said;-Gentlemen most heartily do l Join
with ySu in your congratulations upon the occasion
which has brought you here tonight. Another State
has been admitted into this glorious Coniederqcy.
confess that Il Is grateful TO my feelings to be thus
membcred, although have ceased to be connected
with the Territorial committees of Congress- in the
celebration Of the admission Of Oregon into the
| Union.
For many years I took peculiar interest in the
Territory Of Oregon. She is a bright exempli6cation
OF the great principle Of popular sovereignty Settled
al time when the laws Of the United States had not
extended over her, the hardy pioneers Of progress
scattered in the valley Of the Willamette and othel
smaller valleys assembled together and formed fol
themselves Government as perfect and complete as
any Congress- ever framed tor the other Territories
For years they governed themselves we'll created THEN
legislative, their judicial and their executive depart
ments, and administered the government In all its
branches with fidelity and energy, enactng such laws
as were well adapted 70 the wants Of the peoble and
Il executing them faithfully and promptly. Oregon
thus owed herself capable Of sefgovemment before
she had the protection Of the United States.
In ls4s had the honor Of reporting the bin organi
zing the Territory OF Oregon and, after ten years
her territorial period, have seen her admitted into
the Union one Of the States. In Oregon all ha.
been peace and quiet. There has been no rebellion
no rotng. and no necessity for the employment Of thu
military TO force her people to obey the laws of thu
land. t'True," and appause,l Oregon, therefore
stands forth with proud history. Well has she
earned the honor which she has now achieved, Of be
ing the equal in the Confederaey of the other States
l shall receive her Senators upon The floor Of Con
gress with heartfelt welcome when they present
themselves during the coming week, and shall Tais'
my voice in congratulations as sincere as theirs on th
glorious cOnsummation. 4s-...r ......
lam glad 10 see the States increasing in number or
the Pacific coast wish To see as grand power OF
the Pacific we have the Atlantic, and both helc
together and bound together by the great Mississippi
valley. This continent must become ocean-bounC
republic, [good, good and cheers and II the prin
ciples OF seI-government and Of Staterghts shall b,
fairly carried out in the futpro. Conederaey viii
extend over the whole continent and adjacent Islands
Al we have TO do is to preserve clearly and distinctly
those principles on which our Government was found
ed, maintaining seltgovemment In the Territories
and the sovereignty Of each State, preserving tht
Constitution inviolAte and allowing every State I,
form and regulate It's domestic institutions to sni
[Cheers.l
we must repudiate and reject that fatal heresy
lately proclaimed, that this Government cannot en-
dure as oar fathers made IT, divided into free ant
slave States. Let the principles Of popular soVer
eighty, Staterights and the Federal Constitution b,
"ared out in good faith, and this Confederacy will
extend the whole continent and endure forever
each State having just such institutions and local egu
ations as it DESIRES even il no two Of them are pre-
csely alike. Oregon is another exemplifcAtion
this principle. The admission Of new State undel
circumstances auspicious, and with q history o.
which our citizens proud is just subject o.
congratulstion, and renew my thank to you for re
membering me on his interesting occasion, and Civ
ing me the privilege OF mingng my ielicitation with
yours. LNine cheers for Douglas.l
Mr.. Stevenson, Of Kentucky also responded to thI
call made upon him, and congratulated his heareri
upon the admission Of new star TO the confederacy
Speaker Orr, Mr.. Stephens, Of Georgia, Thayer, o.
Massachusetts, Smith, Of Tennessee Mr.. Comins ant
others, were severay visited at their lodgings; mos
Of whom responded to the calls made upon them
either in person or by proxy.