Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-02-18
Speech Of Hon. Eli Thayer.

Mt. 1HstycI5 dlLfI d UiiCi IhttOu'Stio'i a.,
said that Oregon comes here by invita-
lion of this House, and in compliance
with the forms of law. She comes as a
free State, with a constitution excluding
slavery. It is impossible to make the
vote on the question test of party fidel-
ity. The Senate has already, without
regard to party lines, voted to admit her
by at least two-thirds vote. Her ad-
mission was advocated and voted by ten
Republican Senators. Her rejection was
advocated and voted for by six Republi-
can Senators. Some of the Democratic
Senators voted for and some against her
admission. 1t is too late, therefore, to
draw party lines on this question.
Who, asked Mr.. Thayerr are the PEG
pie that now stand before our doors, de-
handing admission as a sovereign State ?
They are the Pilgrims of the Pacific
coast, who, by toll and trial, in defiance
of danger and Of death, with persistence
and endurance such as belong only to our
race, have carried our institutions TO the
utmost bounds of the Republic. He re-
GREETED that the gentleman from Maine
deemed it expedient, the other day to
characterize the pioneers of our national
progress as int9rlopers, runaways and
outlaws. He asserted that the Terrific
ries and new States of this Union, set
tied by American citizens, are in charac-
ter superior to the average population of
the country.
Mr.. Thayer then asked what are the
objections to admission? First, that Or
egon has not sufficient population, to
which he would reply that this argument
cannot be used by any member who vo-
ted for the enabling act. The Republic
can party has neither made nor endorsed
any fixed rule on the subject, but on the
contrary have contended against the APP
plication of any such rule to the terrific
ry of Kansas. To Il man they voted for
the admission of Kansas under the To
peka Constitution, with less than one-hal
the present population Of Oregon.
The second object;on urged is the clause
excluding free negroes and mulattoes.-
This proposition wa. advocated and vote,
for by the Republican party in Oregon
in connection with the Free State Demo
Gratis, for the purpose of preventing tn
Z adoption CT the clause in the constitutio
admitting slavery.
70 The third objection urged is that tn
p" constitution allows aliens to vote, subje,
upon which it is less stringent than til
j constitutions of some States, and MOI
IL so than those of other States.
u is the same as the territorial regulate
u has been during the last ten years. w
. ges of laborers and domesticS in Gregg
are twice what they are in the Atlant
States, there is some reason, therefore,
" offering the inducement of suffrage to
" class so necessary in the development
~ that State.
A fourth objection is that Kansas h
been abused by the Democratic party.
Mr.. Thayer was quite content that +
record Of the Republican party and of t
Democratic party, in relation to Hans
~. should remain as it is. That of the
publican party cannot be made better
that Of the Democratic party cannot
= made worse. He was not ambitious, g
+ Republican, to abuse Oregon, to the sa
extent that the Democrats have abu
= Kansas. Having a better record,
"a wished to preserve it.
-, The fifth objection urged is, that if
next election Of President should &C
;, into the House, the vote of Oregon L
defeat the Republican candidate. To
he replied, that if the Republican pa
plant themselves upon the platform of
, jecting free States because some claus
- the Constitution may not be generally
proved, it will require more than the
- of one State, either in Congress or OIL
if, to help Or harm our prospects.
80 Mr.. Thayer then proceeded to de
=. tue principles upon which he should
n n in regard to the admission of States,
n or to show whether there is danger to
not coniederacy in the admission of Or,
hong at this time. VIII Oregon contami
ro.o1 the confederacy? just as much as
use mountain streams contaminate the
The ic. She will add to US character
tori strength. Grant that she is inferic
education, refinement and etiquette
a. Is above US in the sturdy virtues Of
.ance esty, fidelity, industry aud endurance
5. In conclusion, Mr.. Thayer expr,