The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-10-14

mas (Mr. Starkweather) and the gem
tleman from Washington (Mr. Hare)
in their argument assume that silence
on the part of Congress was full con-
sent that the lands granted for inter-
nal improvements should be set over
and become common school fund -
| dissent from tho views expressed by
both gentlemen, and maintain that
the grant made was for the purpose of
internal improvements withing our
State only, and that it remains so to
this day. Tho silence of Congress in
this case was equivalent to saying to
the people of Oregon. w do not
consent to the proposition you make
concerning the public lands. Con-
gress does not consent to anything by
silence. As we'll miga you say that
Oregon would have been admitted in
TO the Union upon her application and
presentation of her Constitution il
Congress had been silent when we
made tho demand. But Congress was
not silent on the point of our admis-
sion. Consent in this case was re-
quired, and consent was gi"en. How
was it gisenp Was it given by mere
silence? No! Go search tho law
you will find no assent by silence
there; on the contrary, it will be seen
that consent by Congress to our ad-
mission was given by significant ex-
preston, such rs no one can misun-
derstand. 1t was given by solemn
enactment in the voice of law, aud
spread in fullness on the. statutes of
the United States ~ the only consent
Congress could give to our admission
rs state, to endure as long as shall
the Federal Union. So Congress
would have consented to the diversion
of this grant of public land il consent
had been intended. But in addition
to this. wonld call the attention to
the fact that this same proposition was
discussed at the time we sought ad-
mission. We were not admitted with
ont effort. This very proposition to
divert this grant was an objection with
some who had votes to cast. The
meagerness OF our population was an
other objection. We had to rely upon
Southern votes for our admission
The South had taken strong position
against Kansas ut that time, which
placed them to some extent in opposi-
ton to Oregon. They were pledged
on certain, questions. That distin-
guished statesman Of the South. Ajax
II. Stephens, had cliasnoioned the
right of Oregon TO admission, and
when pressed to require. il possible.
the consent of Congress 10 the diver
| sion Of the land grant, he said, If |
mistake not. III substance: "iou have
got to rely on Southern votes for your
admission, and If you insist too strong
" that Congress shall consent to your
desire with reference to the grant and
its diversion, YOU will destroy your
prospects altogether; and We were
admitted by eleven votes. some OF
whom were won by that most inastcrly
speech of Mr. Stephens IN behalf of
| Oregon, leaving the matter Of diver
sion of the so coo acres OF land to re-
main In silence. Again, we have been
State for nearly twelve years, dur
| ing which time the State hns been
represented III Congress by men 0!
! both political parties, and at no time
has any one applied to asked Congress
/ TO STILL consent to tie diversion oi
these lands. / conclude, then, and
am satisfied that the SOC 900 acres oi
la d granted to the State was intend.
ed by tie government, and stands TO,
day, for the purpose Of internal i'm
! prcyement. Ii, then, l am correct IN
my views that this land Is intended
| for internal improvements. the qucs.
ton naturally comes up, shall VIC use
any portion OF it for this purpose?
| think We ought. l think we would
he warranted in doing 80, being care
! ful at the same time not to frltter il
away-not 10 waste or squaIder L il
wild and useless enterprises. But
would be willing to vote part OF this
fund toward opening the Willamette
river, that the commerce and trade o
this valley might pass through it free
from the extortion and tolls that mo
nopolies always impose. The people
OF this valley demand this. The peo
pie of Linn county, / know, demand
the opening of that river, and they de
mand it, sir, in tones that no repre-
sentative of theirs can fail to under
stand, and they will sustain thei
members on this floor in their actor
to-day. Gentlemen have had mucl
to say about common schools, educa
ton, &c, and apparently assume tina
every one who does not accord witt
this resolution is, therefore, opposed
g..
sumption, from which ] dissent.
would go as far rs would either tn
gentleman from Claekamas or the gen
tieman from Washington in pressrv
ing, fostering and building up the in
terests of education. / would favor q
/. much as any one the building up @
, institutions of learning, houses of wor
ship, and temples Of justice, and al
else that contributes to make q pros
porous, free and happy State. In m
, desires in this behalf have no fear
{ of being excelled. But because of a
} this there is no reason why the inter
J nal improvement fund shall not b
wisely and judiciously used for th
: purposes for which the grant was il
) tended. / shall vote against the rei
) olutiop. ~
| SENATOR FAY has INN, talized himse
in the eyes of the Oregon Radicals by vo
: ing With the Republicans in the Bento
M.