At this time a new matter was interesting the southern members—the retention of the state of Kansas in the Democratic column. The notable southern propagandists, of which Quitman of Mississippi was the representative, had, in order to amend the neutrality laws, put on foot a scheme for the unification of Mexico, Cuba and Central America and the formation of an immense slave empire. This was regarded by the northern representatives with a great deal of apprehension, but much to the surprise of everyone Mr. Thayer came out in favor of it. [Illustration: MR. WILLIAM J. FARRELL. Of New York. A New Life Member of the Society. ] He said to the southern leaders that he intended to colonize this new empire with New England Yankees. His speeches on Central American colonization, on the “Suicide of Slavery,” and on the “Admission of Oregon” brought him great fame. Against the caucus decision of his own party he secured the admission of Oregon into the Union, and in this act, though in opposition to partisan dictation, he was sustained by leading Republican organs throughout the country, although he received some censure in his own district. Soon after these speeches his political enemies in the district began to organize against him, but his popularity was not to be overcome and he was returned with a flattering endorsement. During his second term in Congress he was instrumental in the admission of Oregon as a state to statehood. The Republicans were of the opinion that the admission of Oregon into the Union would mean heavier Democratic representation. Mr. Thayer, however, argued that the best way to make Oregon a Republican state would be to admit it into the Union. Succeeding events proved that his view of the matter was correct, but at the time the Republicans in the House opposed the admission. Mr. Thayer, during the discussion of the bill, went to Alexander H. Stephens, then chairman of the Committee on Territories of the House, and told him that he should work for the passage of the bill and it was to his everlasting credit that Oregon was admitted to the Union by a majority of eleven votes, of which fourteen had been won over by the untiring efforts of Mr. Thayer. He was assailed at home for his stand in this matter, as his constituents considered that he had voted for a measure which provided for the admission of a state whose constitution excluded the negro from all political rights. As a direct result of his stand in this matter, the district failed to send him as a delegate to the national convention in 1860, which placed in nomination Abraham Lincoln for the presidency.