Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-26
The Oregon Bill.
HoUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Jan. Is. 1859.
Mr.. ZOLLIcoFFER. from the Committee Oh
Territories, submitted the following

HoUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Jan. Is. 1859.
Mr.. ZoLLcoFFEn. from the Committee Oh
Territories, submitted the following
MINORITY REPORT.
The undersigned has not been able to con-
cur with majority of the committee in favor
of the bill for the admission of Oregon into
| the Union.
The population of the proposed State, in
his opinion, is not yet sufficiently large to
entite it to admission. Since the organiza-
! ton of the Federal Government nineteen
| States have been admitted into the Union
| and no instance has ever occurred in which q
State has been admitted with a population
| less than the ratio of representation in Con
gress at the time; with the single exception
of Florida. in which instance the population.
at the time of application for admission, was
more than equal to the existing representa-
| tive ratio, but. delay of six years interven-
| ing, the ravages of Indian warfare and a
change in the ratio, caused the population. at
| the time of actual admission, to fall some
| thing below the amount required by this we'll
established rule. The rule is founded in wis
dom. justice, and the safety of the Republic,
and should never be departed from, unless
under the pressure of an overshadowing ne
cessity. In the case of Oregon there is no
such necessity, and clear wnat of showing
of population equal to the present ratio OF
representation. This is conclusive with the
undersigned. BY the last census taken in
| 1856 the population was but 43.472. The
| aggregate popular vote at that time, on the
convention question, was 9-26l and for dele
gate in Congress 1912 The popular vote
in 1857 had not increased being, on the con
vention question, 1926, and for delegate 8,
1888 This would seem to Indicate a slowly
increasing population. Yet, in the face of
such facts, the Representative and one of the
Senators elect express the opinion that
the population is "bctween 5000 and lOO,-
600 = and the other Senator elect thinks it
very nearly equal to the ratio" Still the
main fact is wanting that it is in fact quite
equal to the ratio, and the official evidence is
Indicative of a decided deficiency.
If admitted under these circumstances the
precedent would he dangerous one. Other
communities, with populations less than that
| Of a Congressional district, would also knock
at the doors of Congress for admission, and
would he admitted. Such petty cOmmuni-
ties erected into States, would at once assume
footing of equality with the most
pOpulous States of the Union. With popula-
tons less than -thrty-thrd part of that OF
the State of New York. they would each
wicld in the Senate of the United States Z
power equal to that of New York, and, in a
contingency under the Constitution, an equal
| power in the elections of President and Vice
! President of the United States. In all the
| independent powers of the Senate-the treaty
making power, the trial of imreachments, the
! confirmation of ambassadors, Judges of the
Supreme Court, and other important public
officers these small communities would have
a perfect equality of suffrage with the most
populous States OF the Union. In those other
vast powers of the Senate, too, which it exer-
,.iS ~ NJ
such rs upon questions of war. levying and
collecting taxes regulating commerce with
| foreign nations and between the States, rails
| ing and supporting armies. &c.--they would
hold an equal check upon the large and popu
lons STATES representing the masses of the
people. Their introduction. as Il balance OF
power, might, therefore, not only be made to
control Presidential elections, but the very
destinies of the American Union.
Would this be Just to the larger States, or
to the bulk OF the American people? Would
il be safe to the Government-to the integrity
and duration of the Union itself! How long
would il be before party politicians, holding
temporary ascendency in the Government.
would be tempted To briug in new States,
regardless of population. merely MS a balance
of power to enable them to control the Gov
ernment? How long before this would bring
retaliation in more reckless spiritY Aud
where aud when would such warfare terminate
once begun? The undersigned submits
whether the highest considerations of patriot
ism do not demand of us tn pause before
taking step fraught with dangers of such
magnitude 10 the Government Now is the
time To arrest this tendency. No temporary
considerations OF expediency should tempt
us from the safe, just, rational usage Of those
who have gone before us. AS to Oregon, if
her population is rapidly increasing, sire will
soon be prepared for admission. Until then
she can we'll afford TO wait.
II has been said that We are under obliga-
ton To admit Oregon even with a population
of 60 600. because. rs Is alleged. In the act
organizing the Territory, the ordinance Of
1887 was extended 10 Oregon, which
ordinance provided, with reference To the
States 10 b., carved out of the then Territory
northwest of the river Ohio" that whenever
they attained population OF 10000 free
inhabitants they should be entitled Ia admis-
sion. This argument is clearly founded in
error. No such obligation rests upon Con-
gress as the undersigned will now proceed to
show.
The 18th section Of the act organizing the
Territory of Oregon provides
THAT the inhabitants Of said Territory
shall be entitled to enjoy all and singular
the rights. privileges and advantages granted
AID secured he people q t4e terttory northwest
Of he rireT 0Aio by the articles Of compact con-
tanned In the ordinance tor the government
of said Territory. on the 18th day Of July,
1881"
This Is the provision relied upon. But. by
turning 10 the ord nance of 1851, il will b.
found that the ''articles OF coJnpect" referred
Ia are OF two kinds-not only those securing
rights. privileges. and advantages 60 1.-THE
people OF the Territory" but those securing
rights privileges, au9 advantages 10 'tAs
STATS Ia the said Territory and that in the
latter is the provision as g. sixty thousand
inhabitants" while the language Of ths
organic act Of Oregon. a. 10 the rigbts
granted TO 1.-THE people oftbe Territory does.
not include the latter, or articles of compact
with "the States"
The articles Of compact. are six in
nnmb.'r; the first three and the sixth relating
strictly snd exclusively o. the rights pf the
psople 81 the IsTriloFy. the fourth relating
TO the rights 81 she people and at -.the State"
h be carved out OF the Territory, and the
dithrelating alone 20 ds States 10 be 20 formed
which last Is the one referring 10 the terms
oi admission, and IL ia the following words
10 wit:
"AKTfcIE s. There shall be formed in said
Territory not less than three nor more than
i've States; ard the boundaries Of tbs Stats
sson ~ Virginia shall alter her act al
cession and consent 10 the same shall ssecenle
fixed and established as follows. 90 viii: the