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SLAVERY IN OREGON.
The last arrival from the pacific brings only more evidence of the purpose of a powerful section of the Democratic party to force Slavery into Oregon, and of the indisposition of the rest of the party to resist the effort. The Occidental Messenger newspaper, published at Cornwallis, thus argues the question for Slavery:
“Upon the subject of domestic Slavery, now agitating the public mind of Oregon from one extent of the territory to the other, we cordially and frankly avow ourselves in favor of the institution. We not only believe it to be right in principles, but believe that the prosperity of this portion of the Pacific coast depends in great degree upon its adoption here in our embryo state. We desire to awaken the people of Oregon fully to the importance of this subject. African Slavery is the conservative feature in our system of government. The Slavery representation in the United States Senate needs strengthening –the preponderances being in favor of the free States-and a fine opportunity is now presented to restore the equilibrium by the admission of Oregon with a Slavery clause. There is one great impediment to the prosperity of Oregon, and that is the high price of labor. The only remedy that we can suggest is the introduction of domestic Slavery and if men would but cast aside the shackle of prejudice with which they have been fettered from their boyhood, they too would see a remedy in the suggestion.”
Should this scheme succeed, and Oregon present herself for admission with a Slavery Constitution, it would give a new and extraordinary phase to the Slavery question, and tend still further to the demolition of the Democratic party. It will be remembered that the Wilmot Proviso was applied to Oregon as a Territory, on the motion of Mr. Winthrop; but the friends of the introduction of Slavery say that the Dred Scott decision wipes all this out.
