Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 16.djvu/394



366 ELI THAYER

foundations of a free state, and they come here, like the wise men of the East, not asking gifts, but bringing gifts; in that respect unlike our military men, who expect and receive honors and rewards for their services. What do they bring? Why, sir, the trophies of their own labor, the evidences of their own worth. They present before us the cities and towns which they have founded. They present schools, churches, and work- shops. They bring all, all the products of their labor, and place them upon the altar of the Union, a pledge for the com- mon welfare and the common defense. And what are we doing here? Why, sir, quibbling about things which are com- paratively unessential, and which pertain exclusively to the people of Oregon, and not to us or our duties here ; quibbling about points which, if New York or Massachusetts were in the place of Oregon, would secure some votes on this side of the House against their admission. Massachusetts, which you know, sir, I never defend anywhere, even Massachusetts does not allow the negro to be enrolled in the militia of the State. These, then, are the men who come here ; and what if they have some ideas and sentiments with which we do not agree is that a reason why we should excommunicate them ; that we should have nothing hereafter to do with them ?

What law of reformation is this? It is the pharisaical law of distance, distrust, and derision. It is not the Christian law of contact, confidence and communion. The Pharisees denounced the Founder of Christianity as "the friend of pub- licans and sinners." That class would repel all who do not agree with them to the fullest extent. Shall we pursue a sim- ilar course in relation to the people of Oregon? Is it wise to do so? Is it expedient to reject their application on such grounds ?

What objections do Republicans present to this application? They say there is not sufficient population, and they claim that it is their mission to see that the Democratic party shall recover its consistency. At whose expense? At the expense of the consistency of the Republican party. I submit that it is