Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-02-08

up wv "',SuuHSut pTOVIuiug Ior fne al
mission OF Missouri into the Union. To
distinct understanding Of The subject,
SAID he, II Is necessary we should advert
10 the history OF lis progress. A select
committee, Ia whom The subject was re.
ierred, brought in ii bill whose object was
10 provide fsr the admission Of Maine
luto the Union. While ii WIS depending
before the Senate, submitted a motion
10 recommit the bill with Instructions 10
Incorporate the very amendment which
has now been proposed. Before this
question was decided, bill Is sent up
iromihe House of Representatives,, pre-
cisely like that depending here. In con-
i0rmIty To an existing comfy betwse, the
Two Houses, the bill depending here, with
the Instructions | had submitted. was
postponed. aud the Senate proceeded TO
ACT on the one from the House Of Repre-
seniaiives. AT the proper time, il Was
committed TO the Judiciary committee,
who, as | think, most wisely and jus,ita.
bly,, reported the bill with the much con-
tested amendment in favor of Missouri
Tie memorial of that people having been
previously referred TO that committee,
suppiicating admission into the Union
IL Is objected, first, by the member from
Pennsylvania, that the committee yoi
".
-lu Justification of This assertion. he
states, that the memorial of the people of
Missouri Is that which was presented the
iast session. Sure, this objection Is of
Itself curiosity. Is il not the invariable
usage which obtains in both branches.
Wien petition has been presented, and
lis OBJECT not conSumDaled, as is but
100 commonly the case, Congress either
being unable or unwilling To do so, for
The same identical petition to be prescnl-
cd to the ensuing Congress Nhy pre-,
sent new one, the facts aud grounds OF
The application remaining the same? Ii
is next objected by the gentleman from
Rhode Island, that the committee have
exceeded their powers, in recommending
This amendment. Pray, sir, what is the
object OF referring bill TO d committee,
merely to dot the lis aud cross tie rs ? |
had supposed they had more important
duty 10 perform. Not only their right.
bun that ii was their bounden duty to
modl!y or amend any and every part in
relation TO the particular subject euibrac-
ell by the bill, and TO extend lis provi.
sions so as 10 embrace every corresponds
fug subject. This is mol only a rational
rule. but one which is prescribed by eve
ry well organized deliberative body. II
pllcity OF laws already sweiled To an ex-
tent beyond the reading of The most iu-
dustrIous. Secondly, il prevents that
irregularIty aud Inconsistency which en-
sue, from different course. apSeal 10
the experience Of the Senate. wheH as
sert, that the success OF claim, for in
stance, depends sometimes OH the zeal,
perseverance,, and ability of lis patron
claim thus supported, is carried in
triumph through the house-whlle one no
less just, Tor want of those efficient auXi-
iiaries, Is lost (; aud, in consequence, d
cilecquered and unequal system OF legis-
iaiion obtains. Ii this be true on irifilug
occasions, how does The reason of The
course pursued by the committee IN
Crease upon lis, and the necessity of all
herlng 10 il upon subjects so important
as those involved III The bill and amend
meni! Bat il is objected that the two
subjects are dlsSlmIlar, and therefore
should be separated. II This be true, why
send 1t back TO the committee The
question before the Senate is, shall they
be joined as proposed by the committee
II you disapprove the Junction, reject il
but do not refer il TO The committee: thcy
have performed their duiy-dO you per-
form yours. But is il true, that there Is
y,
10 make il indispensable 10 separate
them +! As to amy thing yet before the
Senate, there Is Do essential difference
and therefore nothing 10 require their Sc
paraton. Let us enquire, first, in what
lhey agree: Maine, Il Is readily admitted,
has just claims 10 AN admission InIo lhe
Union; and | shall be greatly mismnder-
stood, ii j am suspected OF any hostility
To such admission. Her claims rest OH
the extent OF her territory, the number OF
her people, The great strength OF her ma.
Rhine coast, her iTonIer situation, and
tile necessity OF the residence OF her gov
eminent within her borders, by winch.
whenever The occasion occurs, The Tesour.
ces OF Tie state may he called out imme-
dlately for her defence and proiecIion.-
What are Missourl's claims An equal
extent of country, the number Of her
people, her frontier situation, a righi qua
ranleed by the treaty by which we ac-
CURED the country, but, above all. tie
invaluable privilege OF self government,
OF which she is nov deprived "a privilege
dear To- every American tie deprivation
of which is the last injury which can be
inflicted upon them. In what do they
differ II Is said Maine is ready 10 come
into the government, having formed her
constitution. independently OF tie con
slderaiIou THAT this state Of things would
make IL necessary only TO adapt tie diff
ferent sections OF tue bill 10 Tie peculiar
circumstances OF The two cases, ! must
be permitted TO stale, that maue has no
claim on us for the precipilancy with
which she has acted. TIE correct course
would have been, 10 have obtained the
consent OF Congress before she had pro-
ian f.sr 81, 4
no one will pretend that there is any con
slllmlInnal nLli ali n, ~, Guu....-.. -. -