Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-03-04
Congress-.

of emigrant vessels. 1t requires an allowance of
fourteen superficial square feet TO each passenger
two children years Of age. under, to be counted
as one passenger-and further limits the number Of
passengers which any vessel may carry, to for every
tons admeasurement.
resolution to purchase 10000 copies of late
edition of the Constitution for the of the Senate
was adopted.
The naval appropriation bill was taken up The
amendment authorizing the appointment of 'Pyro-
technlst." with the rank and pay Of a Lieut.. Com
handing, (l5OO) was agreed to.
An additional clerk in the bureau of provisions and
clothing was authorized at a salary Of 81 ,0C0.
Some progress was made in the naval appropria-
ton BILL and the three million bill then taken up
Mr.. Butter, Of South Carolina, having the floor.
Mr.. b. said that this war had brought up questions
which were surrounded with difficulties and embarrass-
ments, and to bis mind, present gloomy forebodngs.
He wished that he could look to peace for relief But
in all the propositions which had been brought for
ward to secure speedy and honorable peace, he
could relief Peace would bring with it an
abiding strife, more fearful than war; if the declara
tons from high were to be carried out. He
had no favor ask of the President and no partcu-
lar hostility TO him, but he could not agree ith those
reho pronounced the unjust.
The President, he said, had been placed in difficult
circumstances In taking possession of Texas for
matter what portion of it had been annexed the
taking possession would have been resisted by Next
co. Though the President might be particularly
sponsbe for the existence of the war, Congress had
placed the sword in his hand, and it was useless now
to go back to the in which the originated
He preferred peace voluntarily proered to Mexico,
to peace extorted from her. The latter would only
last long Mexico possessed not the power to
break it, and she would never forget her degradation.
He was in favor of making the appropriation and
thought it would have been wise policy to grant the
two millions at the last session. In regard to the
question of slavery he believed if the designs of the
North permitted, they would end in disastrous
consequences. He would prefer acquiring no terri
tory if it is to be acquired the expense of the
Union.
Gen. Houston of Texas indicated his design to
speak Friday, and Mr.. Simmons of r. l., obtained
the floor.
In the House, by singular act of Legislative CHI
canery. the River and Harbor Bill. of last session,
and which was vetoed, moved as an amendment
to a bill to continue public works in the Territory
of Wisconsin. No conclusion to in the
matter.
FEB 19-Senate-Mr. Ciey presented resolu-
tons of the New Hampshire Legislature, in favor of
the adoption of for the extinction of slavery
in the District of Columbia its exclusion from Ore
gon and all other territories which may hereafter
come into the Union, etc.
After the presentation of petitions, MIR. Calhoun
submitted the following resolutions:
Resored, That the territories Of the United States be-
held by them their JOINT and common property.
RssOred That Congress, the joint agent and repre-
sentative of the State Of this Union, has right make
any law, do any act whatever that shall directly, or
by its effects, make any discrimination between the States
of this Union, by which any of them shall be deprived
of Its full and equal right any territory Of the United
States, acquired to be acquired.
RESOLVED, That the Of any law which should
directly or by ITS effects deprive the citizens Of any oil
the states of this Union from emigratng with their pro-
perry into any of the territories of the United States will
make such discrimination, and would, therefore, be
violation OF the constitution and the rights Of the States
from which such citizens emigrated and in derogaon Of
that perfect equality which belongs them
Of this Union, and would tend directly TO subyert the
Union itself.
Resolved That, a fundamental principle in our creed
that people in forming constitution have the uncond
tonal right to form and adopt the government which
they may think best calculated their liberty
prosperity and happiness and that in conformity there
10, other conditlcn is imposed by the federal constu
lion State in order to be admitted into this Union
except that its constitution shall be republican,; and
that the imposition of any other by Congress would
only be in violation of the constitution drec
conflict with the principle on which political system
rests.
Mr. Calhoun prefaccd the introduction of his reso
lutions by a speech of some length in which he
pointed out the humiliating position in which the
South would be placed should the declaration that nc
more slave States shall come into the Union, and nc
territory he annexed to it unless slavery be prohibited
therein, be persisted in by the North.
He concluded as follows:
Sir, here let me say word as to the compromis,
line, have always considered it as great error
highly injurious to the South because 1t surrendered
for temporary purposes, those high principles
the constitution upon which think we ought to stand
am against any compromise line. Yet ] would
have been willing to have continued the compromise
line. One of the resolutions in the House, to tina
effect, offered at my suggestion, said to FRIEND
there, MIR. Burt, " Let not be disturbers of th.
Union. As obhorent to my feelings as is that com
promise line, let it be adhered to in good faith ant
If the other portions of our Union willing t.
stand by IT, let not refuse to stand by it. 1t ha:
kept peace for some time, and the circumstances
perhaps 1t would be better to keep peace it is
But, sir, it was voted down by an overwhelming ma
jority. 1t renewed by gentleman from a non.
slavehoding State, and again voted down by an
wheming majority.
Well, see my way in the constitution. / cannot
In the compromise. A compromise is but act oil
Congress. 1t may be overruled at any time. II
gives security. But the constitution is stable
Ii is rock. On it can stand 1t is principle on
which we meet friends from the non-save-
holding States. 1t is firm ground, which they can
better stand in opposition 10 fanaticism, than the
shifting sands of compromise.
Let us be done with compromise. Let us 60 back
upon the constitution.
Well, sir, what if the decision Of this body shall
deny to this high constitutional right, which in my
opinion is clear any in the instrument ITSELF
the defined and stable indeed, because deduced
from the entire body of the instrument and the nature
of the subject to which it relates! What then
That is question which will not undertake to de-
eide. 1t is question for constituens-ihe slave
holding States A solemn and great question, MIR.
President. And if the decision should be adverse at
this time trust and do believe they will take under
solemn consideration what they ought to do.
give no advice. 1t would be hazardous and dan
gcrous for me to do so. But may speak as an ndi-