m
ym
1 li
I. I
to cloycd uj every (urn and comor with
falling timber ill At it odlod much lo our
embarrassment. Our purpose was fixed,
and with a slow and steady pace we left
tbem behind until ibo miJJIu of jho after,
noon, when we commenced ibo ascent of a
long, high ridge, who tull tree an J denso
undcrgrowlh hid in summit from our viow.
With hope of arriving, ot every few rod,
at in top, from which we might have a viow
of the surroundiug country mid of ibt val
ley which we knew could not be n great
distance from us, onward and upwind wo
toiled until the. appearance of a vast lodge
of steep rocks slopped our progress and
told us that the top was yet in the distance.
Put determining not lo bo outdone, I left
the company and climcd its heights, which
I found to be yet tnoro than a mile distant,
a black reck of great altitude and from
which wi:h joy I huiicd the settlements at
the short distance of ten or fifteen miles to
the norlh-wct. Far below me were vast
masses of misty clouds driven ly a strong
wind from the west, und cleft asunder by
the peak upon which I stood, pawing to
the right and left in quick succession, upon
which tho golden rays of the setting sun
were shiniag, looking like a vast waving
seaof golJ. How boautiful, how charming
the scene I faraway to the north and
east, roso hill upon hill, and mountain after
mountain rose in vie as far as tho eyo
could reach wbilo to the south tho Oil
apooya Mountains, Rogue River Valley,
Siskiu Monntuin, from wbih rose tho snow
crusted summit of Rogue River Peak,
could plainly be seen. It was now sun
down and more than a mile of rough, pre
cipitous travel separated me fiom my com
panions, and I was compelled to hasten
down lo- juiit them, impatiently awaiting
iny return. It was now dark end raining,
but the idea of camping on this black rock,
where there was neither grass nor water,
and where the chilling winds howled like
the blasts of December, was preposterous;
but it w'as more than two miles to any
place of encampment, tho hill was very
steep almost the entire distance, and envi
roned in every direction by logs, brush and
rocks, to descend which seemed equally
preposterous ; but at the request of the
company I undertook the pilotage and im
mediately commenced a rapid descent, and
although it was dangerous, a point of life
at every step, for it was' us dark as Egypt,
and wo were Iiublo at any moment to
plunge ofTbOiutj precipice, horse and all,
And be dunhed to pieces, yet traveled more
than a mile, but were nt last compelled lo
stop for fear of dashing our brains out
against some rock, und make an encamp
ment on tliut sleep mountain side. We
accordingly doffed our pocks and saddles,
when it was so steep that horses could
scarcely eland up. low hard it seemed
after forcing the poor jaded beasts through
so many hardships to thus s:op them when
it was impossible for thcin to rest, with not
a bite to cat, and not a drop to drink ; but
ncsessily drovo us lo it, and ufter tying
them on tho upper side of largo trees
where there was barely enough ground
fjr them lo stand, we groped around and
found a place below a large, shelving rock
where no spread our blankets and laid us
down to rest, with tho cool drops of rain
gently pattering us in tho face, and that
too, without a drop of water to drink, and
not a jjiorsel to cat, having had none sinco
early in the morning prccecdins. How
ever, wo wcro glad lo s'op. And when
morning appeared, and brought "more
light on tho subject," wo ognin resumed
our journey and haslened to water, when
we tried tin virtues of bread and coffee
for we had been without meat fur several
days; and from this forward we were out
of every thing, flour, meat, sugar, coflln,
all gone, w hich of courso pushed us on
with redoubled energy. By the next day
noon we reached the valley, having been
sixteen days in tho mountains, without a
road, without a guide, or any means of
knowing nt one hour what was to befall us
the next. Imagine our fo ling'', our thank
fulness. We were proud, even tho horses
neighed for joy, and as hungry as proud;
and accordingly approached the first farm
we saw, owned by a Mr. Jas. Cochrane,
formeily of Missouri, a very liberal, wor
thy and intelligent man, with whom wo re
mained until tho next day, enjoying his
hospitality. Long shall I remember I hat
place, that day, and longer still that "good
Samaritan" from whoso hands we received
such kind treatment, lie lives in Lane
county, fourteen miles east of Eugene
City, surrounded by a fine scope of coun
try and a flourishing settlement. Long
may ho prosper. On the seeend day wo
bid our fiend Cochrane adieu, and started
for home. Passing through Lane, Linn
and Marion Counties, where the large
number of Well attended school -houses,
the corner stone of republics, the largo
farms, fine orchards and spacious dwell,
ings, would indicate a state of high taste
anil energy, we arrived safely at home on
Monday, the eighth of September, having
been gone five weeks precisely.
Our fatigues aro f.it being forgotten,
and I now fed well rewarded by what I
aw for all the privation of the trip.
And if this somewhat tedion account of it
hall be repaid t ,'tli perusal by your read
era, it wilt much gratify me that I have
contributed
by my toil to the general
Respectfully yours,
G. L. Woods.
amusement.
SWtMlNNVILLR.Pcpt., 19o7.
V
C-5'Jt is wi:h idea as wiih pyees of
money, liios. with the Icait vahrt jensr
.'ly ciroti!:;!e t!ie lutjj.
CTIjc rcgou CVrguG.
W. L. ADAMS, IIMTOa AMD raorsirroa.
OBXPOPJ CITY;
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1857.
Or 1. V. Craio is aulhoriied to do any bus
Ideas conuuetod wall The Argus Ofliee during- my
aU'iice. W. L. ADAMS.
jfJT We hnve yielded most of our ed
iloiial space lo correspondents this week,
and still wo have many communications
laid over. We beg of our correspondents 10
study brovity. Wo wont them to come
right lo the point at once, and that by the
shortest possible route. Some of our
frivnds aro models io this line while others
are most insulferably windy.
OT Much of our outside is taken up
this week with incidents of mountain travel,
which will no doubt prove very interesting
to readers in the Slates, who may wish to
get somo idea of what may bo seen by
leaving the level monotonous prairies of
the West, and coming to Oregon. The
article w ill also pay a perusal by our borne
readers.
OCr Let all our friends recollect the day
of voting upon the Constitution. Let no
mnn be absent ; see that every man is at his
post, and votes for or against tho Constitu
tion, and wjmmI slavery.
JTZT Trade is quite lively in this city
since so many up country have quit going
in Portland for supplies. Some of the
Portland merchants informed us this week
that people from the country above goner
ally complained that they "could buy
cheaper in Oregon City" than in Portland.
6tT We are sorry to say that Capt. Ry
ncarson was dangerously injured a few
days ago by tho fulling of a rock upon his
head while walling a well. Tho rock fell
some sixteen feet, a point of which penetra
ted the skull to the brain. IIo is now in
a fair way of recovery.
dtT Mr. Francis of this county has left
on our table n Tolpahooking apple weigh
ing twenty-two ounces. We believe this
beats anything heretofore produced in the
Territory. If anybody can beat it, let
him shell out.
03" We are under obligations to Mr.
Meek for samples of the Melon
npplf
which weigh over a pound each
have hitherto thought that the Gotden Rus
sett was the best apple known, but we now
think the Melon must como in ahead of it.
05" The lost Steamer brings the un
pleasant news that tho submarine telegraph
cable which was being paid out by the
United States vessel Niagara, parted af
ter 380 miles in length had been laid.
Tho neciden. was caused by tightening
the brakes so as to prevent the cable from
running out too fast. While the ship was
moving at the rulo of four miles an hour
the cublo was running out five miles.
The strain upon the cable by means of the
increased friction caused it to part. It is
said that this accident has not at all dis
couraged the company. Indeed, enough
has already been learned by the experi
ment so fur, to convinco the company of
the cntiro practicability of the submarine
telegraph. It has not yet been decided
whether the company will resume the
work this fall or wait till next summer.
(KT The last issue of Cznpkay's organ
gives unmislakablo evidence that Delazon,
or soma mnn who has a reasonable devel
opment ia front of his ears, has hold of
the crank at present. It steals our thun
der, and fires away at tho " Ox'1 without
giving us credit. As the " O.x" is moro
than a match for it, we cannot complain.
OltKGON BOUNDARIES. Geo. Lovejny,
Chairman of tho committee on Boundaries
in tho lalo Constitutional Convention, be
ing at the limo too unwell to write him
self, requested Mr. Applegate to put in
w riting the report tho committee on Boun
daries had instructed him to make, which
report was as follows, (we quote from
memory):
Beginning en the coast of the Pacific
Ocean w hero the 42d parallel of north lati
tude intersects the same. Thence north
erly with said line of Coast including all
Islands pertaining to this Continent lying
west and opposite this Slato to a point due
west and opposite '.ho middle of the main
channel of the Columbia river lo the mouth
of Snake river. Theneo up the middle of
the main channel of Snake river to the
middle of the mouth of the Owyhee river,
thence, Ac., as the boundaries stand in
the Constitution.
The commiitoe on Boundaries did not
deem it a part of their duties lo proviJe
for extending tho jurisdiction of the courts
of the Slate beyond its limits. The ju
risdiction over a marine league of the
Ocean being fixed by the law of nations,
and concurrent jurisdiction with the States
or Territories having a boundary in com
mon w ith us, can only bo established with
their consent; it therefore seemed to be
unnecessary to mention it in that connect
ion. We have thought it but justice lo Mr.
Applegate, who acied as chairman of the
commiiiee, to stale these facts, so that lhe
responsibility of the present ambigiaus
boundaries may not be laid upon him er
lhe commiiiee on beunj.vies.
CO" Elders Murphy and Richardson
will preach io the room under the Masonic
Hall in this city next Friday and Saturday
erf ning, at 7 'clock ; also on Lord's day
following at 10 o'clock .t. x.
OCT We have several limes alluded to the
fact thai several euiiaries have been im
ported Into this Territory from Culifornia
to help regulate our institutions, every one
of whom i a pro ilauery, black democrat.
They seem tobe of lhe same type of horn
bres that first invaded Kansas from Mis
souri. The Salen organ says of them :
"There are a number of Californium In
th Territory, and every one of them so
far as we know are opposing our Constitu
tion and are dreadfully alarmed for fear the
electors of Oregon will adopt it."
In speaking of (hem in another article it
says: "Does any man wish to tee the,
slavery question kept up for years to come,
and the scum and flood-wood ol Culifornia
and other regions floating into Oregen,"ccc.
If these men had been republicans, who
came here to persuade our people to go for
a free State, thisdriven nigger would have
applied to them such terms as " abolition
emissaries," "midnight, underground, cut
throat, traitorous-assassins, " floating po
litical disunion excrement," "piratical
bluck republican imported spies, and trait
ors from California and the burnt district
of Indiana," " kinky.hcadud amalgama
tion, disunion jacobins," and so on. But
as they are euly tools of the slave power,
they are merely termed " tcum and food
wood," not because they are proslavery
imports, but because they do not stiicily
adhere to tho "time-honored usages of our
party."
OCT We hope our friends will send us
the returns immediately after the election
on the ninth of November at least on the
Constitution and for and against Slavery.
Hitherto our friends have been remarkably
remiss in this particular, thinking perhaps
that somebody else had attended to It. Wo
hope you will bear in mind that "somebody
else" seldom takes the troublo. This time
we mean you. Will you attend to it the
first thing after the pollt are closed f We
want "all to speak at once this time.
00 The article ofC. from Champoeg,
for the Constitution, came to hand too late
for this issue. It will appear next week.
Gen. McCarver had a shoulder bono
fractured by a fall from a horse a few days
ago.
far the Argus.
r. Editor According to the report of
the proceedings of tho Convention to form
a Constitution for Oregon, Judge Williams
opposed framing a bill of Rights " becauso
they were a kind of 4th of July oration, a
string of abstractions of no particular ap
plication or utility, but frequently produc
ing uncertainly in tho laws and iiiterfming
with their administration."
Mr. Wnymire fuvored a bill of Rights,
" because being placed in front of the
Constitution the people would read it and
if pleased with it, weuld read no further
and swallow the balance without examina
tion." Neither of tho gentlemen appear "lo
attach much value to a bill of Rights, yet
tho opinions they express on the subject,
are pretty fair indexes to the characters of
the men. Doubtless the long period
Judge Williams has dictated from tho bench
has encouraged the growth of a spirit nat
urally arbitrary, and a bill of Rights may
often be in tho way of Judicial tyranny,
while it seems Mr. Waymiro honestly re
gards a bill of Rights in the light Judgo
Williams represents it, as claptrap inten
ded as he wishes to use it, to humbug nnd
deceive the people.
Sinco Magna Charla was wrested from
lhe pusillanimous John in the year 1215,
a bill of Rights has been regarded by tho
Anglo Saxon race in a light almost sacred,
being that part of the Constitution of each
Stato which guarantees the rights of lhe
minority against the aggressions of majori
ties, and protection of individuals frern the
tyranny of Judges and other ministers of
the law, ihe bill of Rights in many State
Constitutions is declared irrepeulablo or lo
endure forever.
The bill of Rights beinff a declaration of
the principles upon which lhe institutions
of the State are to be founded not only
repeals or annuls conflicting statutes, but
also any provision in the Constitution itself
not in accordance with it, for tho obvious
reason that the bill of Rights asserts iho
principle, and the rest of the Constitution
like statute laws, is merely lhe machinery
by which ihey are applied to facts.
The Constitution to be voted upon by
the people of Oregon next November, be
ing mostly a compilation from other Con
stitutions may not in its separate parts bo
bad, but being selected by different per
sons whoso partialities and tastes are dif
ferent, it does not form a harmonious
whole.
The bill of Rights for which we are in
debted to Indiana, is frequently at discord
to the provisions that follow it. As an in
stance the first section declares, "All men
when they form a social compact are rqual
in rights," a declaration however true in
the abstract, is certainly disregarded in the
further provisions of lhe Constitution.
In the first place, all men but white
men are denied all rights whatever under
lhe Constitution, but as none but white
men are permitted to vote, it is presumable
that they only take part in forming the
compact, and if iheir right are mada equal,
it may be contended the Constitulion is
consistent with itself let us see.
In section 2 of article 2, it is declared
that after 6 months residence ia Oregon,
every white male citizen of the United
States, and every white foreigner who has
been a year in lhe United Stales, and has
declared his Intention lu become a citizen,
shall be a voter. Now if all voter are
equal io rights, (and it it certain they have
to bear an equul pari in iho burdens of the
Suite), It seems to be a violation of the
principles of equality to debar a portion
of them from the ofllcos and honors, con
sequent 10 the formation of the aforesaid
seeiul compact. Yd there aro oflices of
honor or profit under the Constitution lo
which a simple volar is eligible.
Besides additional age, residenco, Ac,
required as qualifications lo oflices elected
by the people, there) it one distinction modi
between the members of the compact as
dilliculi to determine as odious in its char
ucler. Arliclo 7 section 18 declares, "The
Legislative Assembly shall to provide that
tho moit competent of the permamnt citi
zens of the country shall be chosen for
jurors." What rulo the legislature will
adopt by which they will divido the Voters
of the Slo'.o into classes competent and in
competent to tit upon juries or how they
will determine upon the permanence of
the citizens does not appear, the Constitu
lion does not even give a vluo to what qual
ities of head or heart will bo considered
competent under the Constitution.
If tho compact is an agreement made
by the people for tliuir own government in
which it is declared they aro equal in rights,
and they have reserved lo themselves the
choice of their servants that they should
tramel themselves with conditions somo of
them odious, all of them calculated to des
troy tho equality of lhe members of tho
body politic, is a contradiction in terms
and in fuel, and tho frnmers of the instru
ment disclose only contempt for the under
standing of the people, and for their ca
pacity for self-government.
Sections 2 and 3 of the bill of Rights,
gunranteo lhe rights of conscience, and
are unobjectionable, but sections 4,5, and
0 are aulhontical and should never be ad
opted by a people w ho believe thut there is
a God or a place of futuro rewards and
punishments. For he that believes there
is no Cod, nor any reward for the jus!, nor
punishment for tho unjust in a future state,
neither has nor can have a conscience in
the common acceptation of the term.
Yet by section 4 any or nil the offices in
the Siato of Oregon may bo filled by men
of such belief, by section 5, religion is
banished from our schools and colleges,
and the legislature interdicted the employ
ment of a chaplain to ask tho blessings of
the Supreme law. maker upon their lubors,
und last nnd worst, by section 0 the Athe
ist who denies tho existence of a God or
a future slate, whom no oath can bind, is
permitted without question, to swear away
the life 'or properly of nny perton who has
incurred his enmity. . a.
! .I'or the Argu:
The CoasUlullou.
Tho Constitution framed by our lute
convention is now before us fur adoption or
rejection. And it is most earnestly hoped
that each voter will not only rend, but
carefully and honestly examine every arti
cle therein, that a correct opinion of its
merits and demorits may bo formed, bear
ing in mind that eah one is now called
upon lo perform a duty, nnd tho manner
in which that duty is performed will not
only rifled himself and this generation, but
unborn thousands who will either bless or
curso our memory for what we may donn
tho second Monday in November. The
first lliing we should decide is: What is
tho necessity of changing our position from
a Territorial to a Slate government) If
that necessity is urgent, und we are pre.
pured to meet the increased responsibilities
which iho chango will produce, and if we
have a Constitulion presented to us for our
support the adoption of which would bo a
credit to ourselves and blessing to posteri
ty, then most assuredly we should support
it. But if the necessity is ' slight, if 'he
increaso of our taxes would weigh heavily
upon us, and if the wellfure, happiness and
liberty of tho people do not require it, and
if there bo seriously objectionable provis
ions in lhe Constitulion, in the name of rea
son why should we support ii? What
could tho people who have tho burdens of
government to bear gain! Nothing but
the pleasure ef forking over the cash 10
pay a lazy, a corrupt swarm of , political
demagogues that would spring forth from
the earth like toad stools in a night, and
equally a9 poisonous. So filled with patri
otism and whiskey, their little souls would
be ready 10 burst, and withull, from an es
pecial regard for lhe dear people, of w hich
they'd be careful to inform ihem (instance
Jo Lane.) 'Tis amusing to hear iheir sil
ly attempts at wise and oracular com
ments on governmental affairs ; to see the
betimes bluud, and anon self reliant air
they mnuifest, when by chance they get
through their "buck-wheat-batier" brains
an idea so infinitely small that if placed in
the hollow of a mustard seed 'twould be
lost amid lhe unfathomable regions of
space. Aow, for the special benefit of the
above interesting specimens of society, we
are asked to become a State. Shall wo do
so f The Constitution before us in many
respeots is good enough, but iu many oth
ers deserves the severest condemnation.
I will nlluda to a few of these. The first
section of iho Bill ef rights does all it can
to suppress the truth, and thereby is equiv
alent lo the utterance of a falsehood. It
says "thai all men when they form a social
compact are equal in rights;" as if they
were not equal in rights until they formed
a social compact. Tne idea is not only
ludicrous, but is literally false, for it is
known and admitted by all fundamental
law writers that the rights of man aproxi
mate lo a nearer equality previous lo the
formation of any compact w hatever, than
after, and no social compact can affect the
natural rights of any one. The objection
lo it is io ibis, that one is require to vote a
.fahcho&l, and while so doing snell the
odor of a "nig'jtr lharP
The sixth section is sufficiently liberal
in 'iiJ lo Iho "lower reniolis" all whode
tiiH 10 ro. The seventh section is simply
silly, for by it wiinen can require lhe
liul.re. or officer who Bdniiullrn the uaih
10 iaud on his head, or perform any other
high fuluiin caper that he may plene, for
lhe section says : " 1 u moot- annum.
tering an oatli Ae. shall b" sued as may be
ino.1 consistent with, and binding upon lhe
concUnca of ih person to wlmm II is aa
miniitered." There Is no doubt somo men
would tell the Irulll, if permitted lo testify
at all, a liulo quicker under such circum
liineen than unv O'licT. A portion of the
211 section is put in for lh purpose of
preventing lh people from Inking iron) ine
ollicers of Slate- tho privilege of always
having on hand as much whiskey as may
be iKiceskSry lo gel up any amount ol pa
triotism on J.uli.on jubilee occasions eV'o
Luminous idea that.
Let us now exumino that portion of the
schedule in winch tho slavery anil fieo-no
trro mutters aro submitted lo iho decision
of a popular vole, thereby rendering the
right or wrong of human slavery a trilling
mulicr, and only lo bo decided by lhe will
or wish of a majority, That shivery Is
wrong, and a great crime, is admitted by
lhe civilized world. Our own govern
ment treats tho trade as piracy. Whut
right or uuthority huve governments,
or majorities to authorizo nnd at
tempt to legalize great crimrs, such as
murder, thclt. ronuery anu nunian slavery,
bo tho viclium white or black ? Has God
given us such authority f If so let us see
Iho decree. If it come from man let us see
by what authority nnd from what source II
came, and who had tho power locive it.
It came not Irom Heaven, God knows, nor
from man for ho has no such power but
from JIdl it came, with all its blackness
I .li.tun.u .nut nniM. 1:11 1'hjiln nf infernal
llll.i uumm '. mi... w..-.--- - -
woes. Who pave the Convention author,
ilv to treat this subject as if it were a ques.
lion of political economy ! Where have
been passed resoluiions or llio people tx
nressinu iheir wish lo have human slavery
darken iho free soil of Oregon! Who
has seen or heard of a single petition cir
culated or signed by a single soul, praying
that the Consliluliouul Convention slioultl
in their benevolence open the door to this
(south side virw)c'wn Wn institution',
that it might curso our soil with lis enerv
ating and blasting elh-cts, that the poor,
honest white man's labor should be made
disreputable, that his occupation should ho
disgraced, Hint all who uy tne Honest sweni
of iheir brow eat iho fruit of their toil,
should be placed side by side and eqnnljy
yoked with lhe black serfs of Africa ! No,
no, there have been no such petitions, no
itch nra vers, let the Convention, un
asked, has thrown witla open the gates of
darkness, while upon their ponderous
hinges grate iho wail of unhorn'nnillions
Tim Convention was petitioned by our re
spoctablo aud reliable citizens to put a
provision in iho Constitution enabling tho
futuro otalo 10 suppress lmcinpenmcc,
Tho Convcn'ion acknowledged the Coiisti-
tutionulitv, legality and justice tf the
praver, turned round and 111 tho 21st sec
tion of the Rill of rights refuse our petition
and declare all such hereafter unconstitu
tional. Our Convention seemed "lo weigh
man's freedom in custom's falsest scales,
whose 1 ail mantles the earth with darkness,
until right and wrong are accidents, and
Ihey grow pale (at Salem) lest iheir own
judgements should grow loo bright, nnd
their fieo thoughts be crimes, nnd Oregon
have too much light."
Let us now look nt iho provision in re
gard to tho prohibition of free negro.-s,
which requires us to make it unconstitu
tional for them to live, breathe or have nny
kind of rights, even lhe rights ofagvizly
bear or vole for free negroes coming here.
As to the society of negroes, anti-slavery
men do not waul it, and would much pre
fer beinir free of iheir company. We pro-
for tho society of white people, whatever
may ba lhe prcferenca of pro slavery men.
There's no accounting for tastes. Now
because we do not want their friends the
negroes ns our boosom companions, they re
quire us 10 violate every principle of just
ice, religion and civilization by voting that
Iheir friends shall not liee at all. Now hi
the name of justice nnd humanity, what in
duced tiie Convention to say uny thing
about free negroes! Aro we overrun with
ihem, er nro we likely 10 be ! Are ihey
more troublesome than Indians ? And
yet some of our citizenc love the squaws
dearly; Has experience in the free States
found their presence a burden lo society ?
Where has tho military been used and
money squandered to control them?
Where have they, of themselves, ever raised
turbulent and disastrous riots ! Ah, 'tis
neither this norihat that made tho provis
ion. What then was tho object of the
Couvenlion, what was its motivo, lis pur
pose in asking us to go further in intoler
ance and crime to the black man than, if
possible, slavery could. He is lo be treat
ed as a fugitive nnd vagabond on earth,
aud every one that sees him may slay him.
In the name of civilization, was ever black
er heathenism exhibited, or a more relent
less, inlolereut and inhuman spirit mani
fested by the crudest savago on eaith 1
Who gave the negro existenco but the
same God who breathed life into the nos
trils of the white mnn 1 Who brought him
by. violence, frem his ocean-surrounded
borne ! . The cruel, unfeeling white mnn.
And who has, after all ibis, the meanness
lo live by the Bweat of even a negroe's
brow, notwithstanding God orders usall to
live by our own ! . In violation of this first
decree of the Almighty, many w hiles, if
they can't enslave their fellow creatures
and work them like beasts of burden, call
upon us to drive them from lhe face of lhe
earth, give them no rights, limit them,
pursue them, catch, destroy and tear ihem
limb from limb, bestrew the earth with
their carcases and let the vultures of Ihe
air pick their bones. Such, fellow citizens,
nre the humane feeling! that inspire
lhe breasts and fill the souls of the men
who wish slavery established, be it while
or black, ilia", they might have fit subjects
to exercise their rage upon. But the ob
ject of this free negro intolerance and per
secution, what was it I Ah, was it not for
the purpose of driving to the support of
human slavery those of you who had too
much regard for civilization and common
justice to vote like a devil and too much
honesty to vote a he.
"t speak nol of rnen'tcrredt but of things allow'd,
Averr'd. and known, and daily, hourly, neeo.
The yoke thai isupon u, doubly bow'd .
And the intent of lyrnny arow'd ' '
The edict of (oar) rulcn woo are grown
The sees of him w ho list a throue,
Aal will be er retSirj.- - .
Far this the tyrant rear
The chain of uf slavery. For tkii tho nn
And blood ufntrlli How oa a liny ImvolUw'J
A uiiitervul deluge, whiuli tiari '
Without an ark (or wretched mun'tabodt.'
Atd ehU hullo flow."
In conclusion, fallow citiens, permit m
to appeal lo you with all iho eurne.tntw
of mv nature lo "look before you leim' 9
examine the ground on which you n'i,J
aud the awful depths into which you may
lead your.elf, counlry and posterity by
supporting a Constitution, ihough e
enough in many respects, yet Is unjust
tyruniml and criminal in others, Suj
we, men of the ni'ieleeiith ceniiiry, tur.
rounded by the lighu of civilijntioo, by the
arts and sciences, by the onward strides
of freedom, nnd by tho brij-hl and soften
ing rays of revolution, ahull we, I say, sup
port a Constitulion which provides ihst
human slavery, inlollerence, persecution
and tyrrany, muy undor nny c'rsumstanc
es bo mndo iho rule of tho government!
Let your answer be louder than reverber
ling thunder do!
"Or eliull we plod in thine;'"'! miiery,
Hotting from tiro lo ton , from uga lo age,
Proud of out trampled nature, aud so die,
Ur(iionlhiii(t our hereditary raiit
To llie new ruee of inborn alavet who wage
War for Iheir chnin, and rather than be fret
Illre.l gladiator like, aud atill engage
Within lhe lame arena where we we
Our fellows full like leaves of the same tree,"
May we answer again, no and teach
tho framers of the Constitution that we are
neithur niggers nor slaves, as they'd have
us be; but free and independert white
men w ho know our rights and how to is
curo them. Leander Holmes.
Yoncalla, Oct 0 185T.
Editor op Arous In your issue af
Oct. !)d, you invito discussion upon the
merits of the Constitulion. On reading it,
I made up my mind to vole against it, on
account of section S of the hill of Itighti,
which forbids the appropriation of money
by cither house of tho Legislative Ai.
sembly for the payment of any religious
services in tho Legislature. I also 'object
lo section 7 of the same article, respecting
the right lo examine or reject witnesses of
jurors on account of iheir religious belief,
I am inclined to the opinion that tho ri
ligious portiou of our citizens will find it
incompatible with iheir consciences In en.
dorse them. - Past history should serve it
n beacon to warn us against ibis subver
sion of iho fundamental principles of raor.
ulity and religion. Although conscienti
ously opposed to tho doctrines of sWi
lionism, I shall vole against slavery in Or
egon, nsniso against tho exclusion of free
negroes, believing pro-cripiive laws of this
sort impolitic and unjust.
W. N. Goodei.l.
Yamhill, Oct. 8, 1857.
Editor Argus The annual Fair of
the Agricultural Society of Yamhill ceut
ly was held at Lafayette tho 3d day of
October, 1857, und the following premi
ums wcro awarded :
For Horses.
To W.T. New by, Host Stallion 3 vea'sold",
a 88 Bridie.
" J.L.Ferguson, 2d 11 "3 years aid,
a Diploma.
" D. M. Jesse, Best 2 year old Colt.
a 85 Ilaller.
" A. Job, 2d " " "old Colt,
a Diploma,
" J110. Lnughlin, " yearling Coll,
a 83 Iinlitr.
" J.G. Baker, 2d " " Colt, n Diploma.
" " ' Best sucking" a $3 Hulter.
a 2, a Diploma.
" " " " Best Brnnd Mare, a 84 Uriah),
i u 1. Saddle Uurse. a " "
" A. Campbell, 2d best Saddle Horse,
a Diploma.
" W. Ilussey, Bent span horses, 84 Lines.
R. Lsiighlin, 2d " " '' a Diploma.
For Cattle.
" W. T. New by, Rest work cattle, $5v
" Meredith, 2d " " " a Diploma.
" Jno. Laughlin, Heat yearling Bull, $5.
" W. T. Newby 2d " " Heifer $3.
For Shf.sp.
" B.E Stewart, Best Lestirshire Buck,
b Diploma,
" " " " " ( South Dowtv Ewe,. " . '
Fruit.
" R., Harris, largest Apples, (Gloria"
Mundi), weight 29 oz.
" " " largest Apples, (Blue Pesr
main), weight 21 oz, Diploma.
Miscellaneous.
" J. Q. Henderson, Best Bridle, Diploma.
" Nancy L. Lauglin, Best Quill, I3
The day passed ofT pleasantly, with
seeming increased interest in the prosperi
ty of the society.
By order of Executive Committee, Agl.
society.
M. Crawfobd,
W. T. Xewbt,
J. G. Baker,
John E. Brooks, Scc'y.
For tht Art.
.. Competition In Steast BoaUai.
Since the California company talked of
fnmiiKT 11 n Wn to take charire of tbesteso
boating business of Oregon, I have several
times heard tho matter suggested as te the
practicability of starting a boat on the
Portland and Oregon Ciiy reut which could
make daily tripi throughout tneyear,.--
eluding the low water season. 1 1' M
boat could be built I am confident, e
tl,o rlvpr now is : but it would be pref
erable to'improvethe rapids so thatalsrg"
boet could be built than tue pre
of wntcr w.uld iustify. If t lhoB
sand dollars were wisely expended ia re
pairing the old dam, boats properly con
structed could get over as easely ssM
boats now do. .
This is a matter or general interest, sn
should receive the consideration of all
... ri ;n tlm rales of freight,
especially as all who have freight bills'"
pay complain of their extravagance
thosoof tho Portland and Oregon Ciiy
chantt who do not own steamboat
,ould promise to urrrt "