The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-24
Oregon Admitted Into the Union--Sere-
made to senator Dougias-Iis Speech.

"~sse W So""sOH Dou8sss-htto Spterm.
On Saturday, February 10Th, the citizens
OF Oregon now in Washington celebrated
the admission of their State into the Union,
and complimented distinguished members of
Congress for their eyertions in bringing this
result about, by grand serenade. Among
Others, they paid their respects to Senator
DOUGLAS, who was called out and made the
following speech, which was received with
the widest enthusiasm by the large crowd
in attendance
GxSrLExEs Most heartily do l join
with you in your congratulations upon the
occasion which has brought you here to-
night. Another State has been admitted
into this glorious conlederacy. confess
that it is grateful to my feelings to be thus
remembered, although have ceased to be
connected with the Territorial Committee
of Congress, in the celebration of the ad.
mission OF Oregon into the Union.
For many years took peculiar interest
in the Territory Of Oregon. She il q bright
exemplifcation Of the great principle of
popular sovereignty. Settled at q time
when the laws Of the United States had not
extended over her, the hardy pioneers of
progress, scattered in the Valley Of the
Willamette and other smaller valleys, as.
sembled together, and formed tor themselves
government as perfect and complete "a
any Congress ever framed for the other
Territories. For many years they govern
cd themselves well, created their legislative,
their judicial and their executive DEPART
ments, and administered the governments in
all its branches with fidelity and energy,
enacting such laws as were well adapted to
the wants OF the people, and executing them
faithfully and promptly. Oregon thus show.
ed herself capable Of self-government before
she had the protection OF the United States.
10 lo4S | had the honor Of reporting the
bill organizing the Territory of Oregon, and
after ten years Of her Territorial period, |
have seen her admitted into the Union az
one Of the States. In Oregon all was peace
and quiet. There has been no rebellion, no
riotng, and no necessity for the employment
OF the military to force her people to obey
the laws Of the land. [" True" and ap.
plause. Oregon, therefore, stands forth
with proud history Well has she earned
the honor which she has COW achieved. of
being the equal in the Conftderacy Of the
other States. shall receive her Senator's
upon the floor OF Congress with a heartfelt
welcome when they present themselves dur
ing the coming week, and shall raise my
voice 10 congratulations as sincere as theirs
on this glorious eoBsummation.
am glad to see the States increasing in
number on the Pacific coast. wish 10 SEE
as grand power on the Pacific as We have
on the Atlantic, and both held together and
bound together by the great Mississippi
Valley. This continent must become an
ccean-bound republic, (" good. good and
cheers. and il the principles Of self-govern.
men' and OF State rights shall be fairly car.
ried out in the future, our Confederacy will
extend over the whole continent and ada
cent islands. A We have TO do is TO preserve
dearly and distinctly those principles on
which our Government was founded, main.
tanning seli-goyernment in the Territories
and the sovereignty of each State. preserving
the Constitution inviols,e, and allowing
every State TO form and regulate its domes.
tic institutions TO suit itself, without inter.
ference from any power 90 earth
We must repudia,e and rejec, that fatal
heresy, lately proclaimed, that this Govern.
men, can not endure a. our fathers made il,
divided into tree and slave States. Let the
principles Of popular sovereignty. State
rights, and the Federal Constitution be
carried out in god faith. and this Coofeier.
aey Will extend over the whole Continent
and endure forever, each State having Just
soeh institutions and local regulations ~ il
desires even il % two OF them are precisely
alike. Oregon Is another exemplifcation OF
thu. principle The simisioo Of new State
under circumstances 80 suspicious and With
history II which our citizens are a. proud.
Is JUS, sabj-ct Of coograiulaiion, and | re
turn ny thanks to you foe rmemberlng M
90 this interesting occasion and given me
the privilege Of mirslins NY shcita,,on
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