The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-02
So the amendment was not agreed to-

SO the amendment not agreed to.
Mr.. JOHNSON of Louisiana, then offered as subsii
iute for the bill, substantially the bill reported by the
Senate committee last session.
Mr. SEWER accepted this modification OF the bill
Mr. EVANS then moved to amend the preamble by
inserting clause that all questions dispute between
the two nations should be settled the most liberal
terms, and the line of boundary to be settled, &c
After conversation point OF order, the amend
men was received considered and disagreed TO by Vote
Mr., UPHAM then rose, and in heightened speech,
moved 10 add an additional section substantially the
Mr. CASS then rose and said Mr. President, the sub
ect before the appropriation OF three millions oil DOL
lars enable the President TO terminate the war with
Mexico and to procure an acquisition OF territory ana
the immediate question upon the adoption OF what IS
known the WMor provlso, which declares thai there
shall be neither slavery nor involuntary seryude N any
territory, which may be hereafter annexed to the United
States. Having already expressed my sentiments upon
the former subject, shall now conhne my remarks to
the latter And, sir in the first pece such declara-
zion would be kind of legislation not only abstract IN
itself but, under the circumstances OF the country
and inudicious We engaged in foreign war,
which demands the united councils and the united action
of the whole country The Issue, whether immediate or
remote whether prosperous adverse is hidden IRON
our view. Do the best can, we shall still be greatly
divided Some doubt the justice of the war, and many
more its expedlency and though am with those VINO
doubt neither and who think had to choose between
and dishonor yet cannot conceal from myself mat
these dscordant opinions, If they do not parayze must
yet impede the national exerton, and operate IN many
success And we have still another class among us
who openly avow their hostility to the present condition
of their country, and their determination, not merely
to withhold all voluntary aid towards the prosecu-
ton of the war, both as private and as public
men, but also to exert their moral influence to
extend their views, and to give practical efiect
to their operation. Under these circumstances, sir,
it is obviously the dictate OF true wisdom not to add
internal difficulties to external ones unless both are
forced upon by nvnclbe necessity Of all the ques-
tons that can agitae u.s. those which are merely Sec
fop in
most to be deprecated The warning voice OF him who,
from his character, and services and virtues had the best
right to u.s. proclaimed to his cOuntrymen IN his
farewell address, that monument of wisdom Tor hun, as
hope will be of safety for them, how much we had to
apprehend from peculiarly affecting geographl-
cal portions of our country The history OF the past
furnishes with pregnant lessons upon this subject
When such questions let meet them great ques
tons should be met with single eye to own duty,
and TO the interest OF the country But let us not anhcl
pate them, by anticipating events which may never hap
PEN which, If they do happen, may bring with them
the solution OF the very difficulties we are seeking instead
OF avodlug We have YET made no aacau ,ha o.
ecution of the existing war, taken possession OF
portion of Mexico, and hold it by the right OF
conquest But our tenure is uncertain; depending up
on the varying casualties of war, while this lasts and
then, II not terminated upon the result OF the ne
gotations for peace. We can make no permanent ar
rangements for the government OF the country I'LL the
right which cesson gives added to that we have de-
rived from conquest Nor indeed, do seek to do so,
for the proposed amendment is to be operative only when
shall have made permanent acquisition OF the coun
try, and added 1t to own In the mean time, though
il be dead letter upon the statute book, il only be
placed there by quickening into life feelings and sent
ments, which, if they must come, let them come like
other unavoidable evils but which should never be voun
ariy sought for the very sake OF encounteng them We,
them sir attempting not to leglslae fer things they
are but for things they not and they nevermay
be- We abandoning the domain OF the present, and
are seeking to control, perhaps distant, certainly
doubtful future Under any circumstances this pros
pectve legislation subjects not within our ursdic
ton can scarcely be reconced with the dictates of
mon prudence. But under those that exist, both
foreign and domestic, il seems to me rash
experiment, certain in the injury it will infct,
but uncertain in the advantages it proposes to OBJ
tain The questions will raise, and the excitement that
will attend them obvious to ALL Already their bear
ing has been Swallowed out in the discussions that have
started up and both the topics and the temper that have
presented themselves calculated produce the worst
effects at home and abroad II the subject were legit
matey before and practical decision called for
it should be met with WISDOM with calmness and with
moderation But sufficient unto the day the evil there
of When acquire the territory it will be quite time
to prepare for its government We may indeed, fight the
battle now and when it is leaving all its heartburn
ngs behind, may lind il has been fought in vain, and
that have nothing left for premature dissensons,
but unhappy recoections at home and the contempt of
the civilized world This amendment is not proposed as
condition of the cess.on to be made to To do that
it must be incorporated into treaty, and Mexico would
thus become party, having right TO interfere in
our internal institutions; IN questions LETT by the con-
stution to the State governments after their adms-
sion into the Union upon equal footing, they
must be when admitted with the original mem
bers OF the confederacy. presume there is not
senator representative in the national Legislature, who
would thus giant 10 foreign power the right 20 inquire
into the conduct and constitution OF the sovereign States
of this Union; and if there are any, am not among
them, and shall be To the people OF this country,
and hereafter, its destines under God, commit
ted; and we want foreign power to mterrogate us,
treaty in hand, and TO say, why have you done this or
why have YOU omitted to do that! Our own dignity as
well as the first attributes OF independence, repe such
proposition IT, them this clause is not 10 enter into the
compact OF cesson, what effect 1t 10 have 1t is not
ordinary act of legislation, within the accustomed
power of Congress, for neither operates upon American
territory upon American citizens, upon American
property Nor does il propose to establish system for
the regulation of those having right to become such
1t is declaratory of WHAT That slavery shall not exist
any territory hereafter 10 be acquired But territory
hereafter to be acquired be governed without an act
of Congress, providing for the organization OF Its gov
That is the very first step Of its progress in
the new career opened to IT. Till then, no Legitimate
authority can be exercised it. And when Congress
to act it will upon the subject matter control
ed only by the constitution, and BY the treaty of
SON. II. therefore, declaratory clause, like that pro-
posed, is adopted il would be but dead letter, and with
out any practical effect II would not operate upon the
country now, Tor II does not belong 10 us; and If IT
should become ours Congress, when egisates would
be tree to legslae upon It's own views and responsibility,
without being al all restrained by abstract decaraon
binding nobody, and operating on nothing But what
sort of spectacle does this proceeding present to the
worldp Disguise II as we may, is a Mexican cesson
we are looking to-, and Mexican territory we are pre-
pairing TO govern We gravey stopping in the midst
of our legitimate duties, while deficient supplies a de-
fectlve organization, insufficient force demand egs
latye action and while the President is appealing TO us
for the means of prosecuting the vigorously and
successfully, stopping IN order to regulate the
condition Of countries extending TO the Pacific ocean, and
which, if they are ours, must become so after the
war shall have established and