The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-06-11

DAwEs] who has Just addressed the
House, is unable to see how an honest
Representative of the State of Massachu-
sets can vote for the admission of Ore
gon. Well, in the exercise of charity,
| can see how Massachusetts Represen-
tative, both honest and patriotic, can vote
against the admission of Oregon. He
can do it BY not compromising the
question, or he may do it in obedience to
party dic:ation. I will now show my
colleague how an honest Representative
can vote for the admission, if he will
listen TO my argument and the reasons
which l shall give in defence of my po-
sition.
Mr.. Speaker, think this is strange
necessity that compels the Northern
Representatives upon this floor to give
the reasons for their votes for the admis-
sion of another Free State into this Con-
federacy. Sir, l shall vote for the ad-
mission of the State of Oregon without
hesitation, without reluctance and with
ont reserve. So far as my vote and my
voice can go, 1 would extend to her such
a welcome as becomes her history, as be-
comes our own high renown for Justice
and magnaminity-a welcome not based
on contemplate political calculation, or
still more contemplate partisan expedi-
ency; but such welcome as sympathy
and friendship and patriotism should ex-
tend to another new State; such, sir, as
becomes the birthday of a nation.
This rannlo novo nc hafnra 10 nooor
dance with the forms of law, and upon
the invitation of this House; and it is too
late to apply party test upon this ques-
ton. On the 10Th of May last, vote
was taken in the Senate upon the admis-
sion of Oregon, and eleven Republican
Senators voted for her admission, while
six Republican Senators only voted
against her admission; and, sir, have not
heard of any attempt on the part of the
six Senators, who voted for the rejection
of Oregon, to read out of the Republican
party the eleven Senators who voted for
her admission; and ifthat attempt is now
to be made, we will see whether it is in
the power of a minority of the people to
read majority out of the party.
But. sir, who are these people of Oregon,
who come here now, asking admission ?
They are the pilgrims of the Pacific coast.
Ifthey are fanatics upon some subjects, we
can refer to the pilgrims of the Atlantic
coast, who also were fanatics upon some
subjects. But, sir, if the pilgrims of the
Atlantic coast finally became examples
to the world in all that exalts our race,
may we not hope that the pilgrims of
the Pacific coast may yet become worthy
of our esteem ?
Nearly one-quarter of century ago,
in my boyhood, / studied the adven-
lures of those men, who founded upon
the western shore of the American con-
tinent what are now the cities of Oregon
and Astoria. These men, who were then
in the vigor of their lives, are now old
men-gray haired and trembling with
age. Their work of life is nearly CON-
pleted; and this day they are sitting by
| their hearthstones, waiting to know what
is to be the result of our deliberations
waiting to know whether the proud con-
summation to which they have aspired
for the last twenty years is now reached
and whether Oregon, which, in toll and
trial, in defiance of danger and of death
and with persistence and endurance suct
as belong only to our race, they have
brought to her present proud and prosper
GUS condition, is now to be placed upor
an equality with the original States o.
this Confederacy.
These are the men who have carried
our institutions to the remotest bounda
ries of our Republic. These are the vet
Grams of the art of peace. American
valor with conquering arms has carried
our flag by Monterey and Chepultepec
until it was planted upon the halls of tn,
Montezuinas. But far beyond thos,
halls have these heroes borne the victo
rious arts of peace. In the Territory o
Oregon, they have established our fire.
institutions. There, sir, strong and deer
they have laid the foundations of fire.
State, and they come here, like the wis
man of the East, not asking gifts, bu
bringing gifts; in that respect unlike on
military men. who expect and receiv
honors and rewards for their services
What do they bring? Why, sir, tn
trophies of their own labor, the evidence
of their own worth. They present befor
US the cities and towns which they bay
founded. They present schools, churches
and workshops. They bring all, all tn
products Of their labor. and place then
upon the altar of the Union, pledg
; for the common welfare and the commo
defence. And what are we doing here
Why, sir, quibbling about things whic
are comparatively unessential, and whicl
pertain exclusively to the people of Ore
gon, and not to us or our duties here
quibbling about points which, if Ne,
York or Massachusetts, were in the plac
J of Oregon, would secure some votes O
} this side of the House against their ad
mission. Massachusetts,, which 20
know, sir, never defend anywhere, eve
. Massachusetts, does not allow the negr
J to be enrolled in the militia of the Stat,
, These, then, are the men who com
here and what if they have some ides
and sentiments with which we do nc
agrse-is that reason why We shout
excommunicate them; that we shoul
have nothing hereafter to do with them
What law of reformation is this =?
| is the pharisaical law of distance, di.
trust, and derision. 1t is not the Chri,
tian law of contact, confidence, an
communion. The Pharisees denounce
} the Founder of Christianity as "the frien
Of publicans and sinners" That ella.
} would repel all who do not agree wit
) them to the fullest extent. Shall W
, pursue q similar course in relation to th
! people of Oregon Is it wise to do SO
Is it expedient to reject their applicatio
on such grounds ?
What objections do Republicans pr.
sent to this application 2 They say thsl
! is not sufficient population, and the
claim that it is their mission to see tn,
t the Democratic party shall recover il
> consistency. At whose expense?
the expense of the consistency of th
, Republican party. / submit that it
D better for the Republican party to pr,
serve for itself the consistency which
> possesses, rather than attempt to recov,
/; for the Democrats the consistency whic
! they have lost
Then, sir, in relation to this qualifc:
A.. L. Al