Yes John, there is much to learn here-- may I recommend McLagan's "A Peculiar Paradise"?  I'd be careful about listening to those who are just learning about our history and try to use it to score political points.

Regarding whipping, that was passed by the Provisional government and quickly  repealed in 1844 without anyone being whipped.  That  temporary government had also passed the Organic Act, derived form the NW Ordinance of 1787 which forbid slavery and supported fair treatment of Indians.  
Far more significant to our history, as you say,  was the Exclusionary Act in our Constitution  of 1857 which passed overwhelmingly.  While only George Bush was actually expelled, it sent a dramatic message that blacks were unwelcome in Oregon, as you  noted.
However, as we see here, those who don't want to admit Oregon's history of racism affects us today still claim this law had almost no effect!  This has been the line of Deady's strongest supporters, as Prof. Mooney.