The Feliciana Democrat., 1859-03-12
Tbs frlltiana nfmotrat,
DOUGLAS rroN THE ADMISSION OF OREGON

DOUGLAS UPON TIE ADMISSION OF OREGON
AS heretofore announced by telegraph tle
massage Of the bill was made the occasion Of
great rejoicing among thc inhabitants aud Wis
itors in Washingtou. Amelig those strcnaGed
at that time was Senator Douglas, who, te'fg
brought ont, addressed The audience as follows;
Gentlemen, most heartily do join with you
in your congratulations npon the occasion which
has brought you here tonight, Another State
has been admitted INTO tins glorious confcac
racv. confess that il is grateful to my feel
ings to be .ihns remembered, 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 took u peculiar interest
in the Territory of Oregon. She is bright
cXcnpliicaton OF the great principal OF popu
lar sovereignty Settled at time when the
laws of the United States had not been extend
ed over her, the hardy pioneers OF progress,
scattered in the valley of the Willamette, and
other smaller valleys, assembled together. and
framed for themselves government as perfect
and complete as any Congress ever framed for
the other Territories. oryearS they governed
themselves we'll, created Their legislative their
judicial and their executive departments, aud
administered the government in AL Is branch
cs with fidelity and energy, cnacting such Ia
as were adapted TO the wants OF the people
and executing them faithfully and promptly
Oregon thus showed herself capable Of self
government before she had the protection o
the United States
In 1913 had the honor Of reporting thu
bill organizing The Territory of Oregon, an,
after ten years OF her territorial period, hav,
~. q
States In Oregon all has been peace Gn,
quiet There has bcen no rebellion, no riot
ng, and no necessity for the employment o
the military TO force her people to obey th
laws of the land, True, and applause. Or
cgon, therefore, stands forth with II proud his
tory. Well has she earned the honor whci
she has now achieved Of being the equal in tn
con(ederacy OF the other States. / shall rcceiv
her Senators upon the floor of Congress wit
a heartfelt welcome when they present them
selves during the coming week. and shall raiS
my voice in congratulations as sincere as their
on this glorious conSilmmation.
| am glad t. see the States increasing il
number on the Pacific coast. | wish to see Il
grand power Oh tho Pacific rs we have o
the Atlantic, and both held together AM
bound together by the great Mississippi valley
IhiS continent must become one ocean bOun
republic good and cheers; and if the princ
pies OF self government and Of State right
Shall be fairly carried ont in the future, on
confcderacy will extend over the whole cont
nent and adjacent islands
All we have to do is to preserve clearly an
distinctly those principles on which our Cover,
ment was founded maintaining selt.goyerr
meut in the Territories and the sovereignty
each State, preserving the Constitution invi
late, allowing every State to form and regnla
its domestic institutions to suit itself, withol
interference from any power Oh earth. Al
plause We must rcpndiate and reject TIL;
fatal hercsy, lately proclaimed that this 90
crnmcnt can not endure as our fathers made i
divided into free and slave States Let tt
principles of popular sovereignty, State rgh
and the Federal Constitution be carried OF
in good faith, and this confedcracy will cXtcn
over the whole continent, and endure forcv,
each State having just such institutions al
local regulations as it desires, even if no tw
Of them are precisely alike. Oregon is anoth
cyemplcaton of this principle. The adm
sion Of II new State under circumstances
anspiciouS and with n history Of which o.
citizens are SO proud, is Just subject Of co
gratnlnlion and renew my thanks to you f
remembering me on this interesting occasio
aud giving me the privilege Of minging II
fclict tons with yours Nine cheers f
Douglas