Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-12-16
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
THURSDAY. DECEMBER
MISSOURI

committee OF the whole, Mr. NeIson OF
va. ~ the chair. on the resolution de-
clarins The admission Of Missouri into The
Union on An equal footing with the other
states OF The Union. Aud this question
having been again stated
Mr.. SERGEANT rose. OF Tue speech
which lie delivered, occupying upwards
OF two hours time, the following mus, bo
considered as a free bat not very full
report.
Mr.. ). began BY saying that this snb-
Ject had been so long and 80 much talk
ed OF, and written of, i, was 80 much con-
ner,ed with considerations arising out Of
the question so much debated al the last
session, that hf hardly doubled every
member OF this committee had for himself
made up his mind on the immediate uucs>
ton. Ii was not, therefore, with any
great hope OF persuaNing others, that he
now rose, but from wish 10 explain the
grounds OF his own opinion, which was
entertained with so much sincerity thai
he could not PERM, himselfto doubt that
the opinion Of every member of The com
mi'lee was entertained with equal since
rity, and that the question would be de-
cided, ~ il ought to be, on its real me-
riis. With respect 10 The question limited
al by the gentleman from South Carroll
ma, aud discussed al the last session, Mr..
). said he did not agree with him that
the decision of the question.now before
The House depended upon the decision
OF the question aglIated al The las. session.
How lar that question might ZEE involved
IN The present question might be a subject
Tor consideration hut, Independently of
HAT question, the one now presented was
a very important one. However minute
III itself, i!it extended but to q single pro.
vision OF tie constitution presented by
the people OF Missouri, it Vet involved
considerations which those who had list
cDed TO the arguments of the gentleman
from South Carolina, must see, went to
The whole extent of determining what
power actually remained in Congress
with regard TO any territory after All
ihorlsing them 10 form a constitution
what they have a right 10 insist upon,
what they have Tighl 10 do aud say up
on the snbleci-iu short, the question
whether congress have or have not the
power a, all under the constitution Of the
United States, with respect IN The admis,
sim of 4 new state into the Union, after The
passage of an act authorising the people
10 form constitution.
II could no; be doubted or denied, Mr..
dt'htiVs'B tiid1 lttEC way. III lOOEiHE dI
the admission of states into the Union,
here tOtore, al least an apparent irregular
liy. and much OF apparent disorder If,
however, any inference were 10 be drawn
from precedehts in the case, it would be,
that there never had been any precise
examination the powers of congress in
this respect-no established mode of adj.
missioner in other words. that there had
been every variety of mode. For the
sake of the future peace and harmony of
The government of the u. States for the
sake OF the territories hereafter apply ing
10 be admitted into the Union for the
sake OF congress alone, said MIR. S. il 10
incumbent on us all TO examine the
grounds of this question {; 10 see what are
our rights, and what theirs, and deduce,
from full consideration OF these, rule
which shall be uniform as 10 the states here.
after TO be admitted inc The Union, and
Tree from The danger of exposing us 10
contests such as that which appears 10
have arisen OH The present occasion.
The power 10 admit stale into the
Union, no one would d0uht, was very
high oDe-a power to part with a portion
of that authority (which was originally
vested in the old states, and which exists
III The present states, and To admit 10
participation in our councils. in our pow
er, in the control and management of
every thing concerning our rights and
our property, q new and integral member
Of the upiou. The question became one
OF graver consideration, when IL was
considered that il was proposed pow TO
extend This participation 10 an object
which was not IN the contemplation oil
those who formed the constitution OF the
United Stgtes, who looked in their pro
visions to the territory then III possession
OF the United States, and probably bad
never calculated OF tie admission OF
states ont oi territory beyond the original
limits OF The United States. This high
power was given 10 congress aud after
the discussion ut last session, IL was need
less 10 say was given without Limitation.
The power is, " 10 admit new states into
the uDion'-it is granted in The broad.
| rsi end most comprehensive manner
and IL would seem to follow, as The con-
sequence of this grant OF general autho
| riiy, that congress possessed every power
| aud authority necessary 10 lis fair exer-
else. Whatever power was really eivef
10 congress, IL was their duty TO exercise
aud mol turn II over 10 any other depart,
mcnt, co1fldiDg IN II 10 cure the defect
which congress suffered 10 pass uncOr
recied. There vas nothing in the cousti'
tuition of the United States which couu
tcnanceda different course. 1t is our righ
/ and our duty. said Mr.. s. when stat
offers herself for admission INTO the u
Mon, 10 see that she can come ihto tkt
union under tie constitution Of the Uni
ted States, aud in conformity with IL
provisions. For certainly, whatever wer
tie terms IN which the power was give
to the people Of Missouri TO form con
r siiiBiiOn, no one could for single mo
= mcnt doubt that that power was nove
intended 10 transcend the constitute
OF the United States. or 10 bring into IN