The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-01-20

may worm themselves into power?
OREGON - ADMISSION OF NEW
STATES.
Mr.. Stephens, of Georgia, is seeking from
day to day to bring the House to action on the
bill for the admission of Oregon into the Union,
a movement favored by the Administration
Party, of which he is a leader. 1t is reported
that the Republican members have generally
agreed to oppose it; hence the failure of Mr..
Stephens, thus far, to accomplish his object
! correspondent of the Tribune indicates the
various grounds of Republican opposition:
l. The Constitution of the new State pro
! hibits the immigration of free negroes and mu-
lattoes, and inAicts several disabilities upon
those already in the State.
2. 1t allows persons of foreign birth, not vet
naturalzed, but who have made oath in the
usual manner Of their intention to become citi-
zens, TO vote.
g. The population is less than the representa-
tive ratio required from the States
4. The English bill of the last session raised
an invidious distinction, requiring that Kansas,
lift rejected the Lecompton Constitution, should
wait till its population should reach the repre-
sentative ratio, while no such condition was
made in the case Of Oregon.
We hold now as we did the last session. that
the true policy is, to organize Territory into
a State whenever its population shall be suff-
cient in number, resources, and intelligence, for
selfgovernment, and by every legitimate means
to promote the multiplication of Free States
We can see some force in some of the reasons
assigned for making Oregon an exception to
this policy, but not enough to convince us that
it is we'll on the whole to oppose its admission
Its Constitution absolutely nterdicts Slavery
BY admission, we relieve the Territory from the
operation Of the miserable dogmas in relation
to Territorial Slavery, uttered by Chief JUS
tce fancy, and secure another Free State
True, its Senators elect and its Representatives
for the time will probably vote with the Pro
Slavery Party--but this is not a calid reason
for rejecting the application for admission, how
ever potent ii may be besides, the evil is tenn
porary-give Oregon chance, and, like Min
nesota, Iowa, and other new States, she will
in due time rectify the evil, and send true repre-
sentatives to Washington.
As to the liberality shown to foreigners. it
will be productive of nothing fatal The few
men who have come from foreign lands. taken
the oath initiating naturalization, gone across
the continent to Oregon, and settled down as
farmers upon its wild lands, will hardly cause
revolution, by voting once or twice year As
a question of principle, we think, as we have
always done, that it would be wise for the sever
al States so far to respect the naturalization
laws of the United States, as to make citizen
ship condition to suflrage-but it is ques
ton that ought to be left to the States alone
at all events, in the case of Oregon, it seems TO
us devoid of any practical importance.
Why the invidious distinction of the Eng
lish bill should be made reason for opposing
the admission of Oregon, We cannot understand.
unless it be proper to determine great Questions
OF Public Policy by petty Party resentments
and considerations. The Republicans voted
that Kansas should come in as a State, utterly
disregarding the consideration that its popula-
ton was less than the representative ratio they
justly refused to recognise the pertinence or
Legitimacy of any such consideration. Self
respect and regard for consistency require
that they should maintain the same position in
relation to Oregon. No inconsistency, no in
justice, no meanness of the Pro-Slaverv Democ-
racy should provoke our friends to abandon
their honorable position.
In relation to the provisions of the Constiti-
ton relating to free colored people. we think
them detestable. We have no patience with the
vulgar, indecent prejudice that would trample
upon the rights of man and the arrangements
of Providence, for the purpose of wreaking its
hate upon an unofending, helpless class OF
People. Our motto is, Justice 10 all men, OF
aohdtecer race Orclime. But, we think we should
deal with the question practically, SO as most
efectually and speedily to remedy all the evils
connected with it. BY rejecting Oregon. we
remit it to the theoretical Slavery proclaimed
by Judge Taney-remit it to the tuteage OF
the Pro-Slavery Administration, to the corrup.
ton of patronage to the training of Pro Slavery
officials. Will you reform Oregon by such
means? Will you regenerate public sentiment
there Was ever an Anti-Administration
!, Party developed in Territory by such policy ?
: Why, Kansas itself is at this moment in danger
Of falling under the domination of an Admins
, tration Party-a Free-State Democratic Party
Admit Oregon, and you abate Executive inau-
ence and patronage-you give its People fair
field and free course, and the Right will at last
prevail. California was as intoerant towards
free colored people at first as Oregon is now
but lately, in Frederick Douglass paner. we
saw an account OF the way in which Public
Sentiment had changed, in which rigorous dis.
abilities had been relaxed. or ignored as a dead
letter, and free colored men had achieved suc.
cess by industry and enterprise.
We shall not be urgent upon this sub ect.