text: Well, as far as I can read, Oregonians of 1857 were said to be mostly guided by the values of Christianity and the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Just as we claim to be.  From the beginning Oregon's organic laws were based on the NW Ordinance of 1787 which prohibited slavery and promised fair treatment towards the Indians.  While Jesse Applegate was far from perfect, on the most important issues of the day--slavery and the Exclusion law-- he was absolutely right, whereas MP Deady was dead wrong.  
  While understanding the  differing context of peoples lives , I think on these basic values we do have a right to judge historically  just as we  ourselves might be expected to be judged by future historians.  
  But the Deady case is complex-- if his name is removed it will be in spite of his many great accomplishments; if his name stays it will be in spite of his flagrant support of slavery and the Exclusion law.