Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-16

made OF there having been convention OF the people oil New
Mexico at Santa Fe is an attempted imposition
Mr.. CLAYTON. The honorable Senator has all the in
formation that have upon this subject Whether il
convention Of all the people Of New Mexico, Of great body
Of the people of that country, he knows as well as do Even
but the petition OF hundred less Of the people
New Mexico, hold sir that would be bound to receive
il respectfully and refer il.
MI. HALE Mr. President, as the subject has excited
debate this unusually early stage of its progress do
not know but the present good the pecu-
liar views of Senators upon this question any time which
may hereafter present ITSELF II unusual mode, seems
me- introduce this delicate subject such ime But
nasmuch the petition which has been presented is itself
termed Sonf, do know but that may expose myself
the charge by the notion that about TO make
the amendment which about propose to the motion
OF the Senator from Missouri 1t is that the petition be
United TO the Committee the Territories with instructions
to report bill agreeaby to the prayer OF the petitioners
And now sir let me say one word in regard to the charac
Ter of this memorial The objections of the honorable Sena
tor from Mississippi Mr FooE and Of the honorable Sena
Ter from Florida (Mr WEsToorr are that this memorial does
not authenticated the proceedings OF regular
venton The honorable Senator from Mississippi (fr.
fooTE has minated that this matter of conventions had got
TO have pretty definite and settled meaning among He
says that when speak OF convention mean delegat
ed body representing constituencies due notice of the
having been given and regular preparatory meetings holden
think, sir if the honorable Senator will look back upon the
history of this country, which enjoys much higher
of civilization and great deal learning this matter
OF conventions than the people of New Mexico he will find
that the subject yet thoroughly understood in this
country. Ii this matter is sufficiently understood in this
country how could the population in New Mexico, that
have been drilled in this matter Of conventions have
derstood thoroughly Why, sir there is the great Empire
State of New York, that has had much discipline, drilling
and experience upon this subject of conventions any other
State in the Union, which, putting all its wise heads ose
the could not TO save themselves choose delegate to throw
in regular convention. Sir, this is matter
any better understood here than in New Mexico WE'LL sir
parts Of the country have learning upon this sub
ect. In South Carolina they could choose in two or
three minutes TO throw nine votes; while they could not
choose in New York thirtysix cast single vote.
Taking consideration these facts might exercise it
me, little leniency towards the population of New
Mexico This is, undoubtedly, the first time they have
dertaken TO hold convention That be the why
il is formally This may be the convention
of the Free Soil party New Mexico 1t possible it may
be the convention of the Democratic party. 1t is utterly
impossible that is the convention of the Wing party for
great part OF the Wing party, in many parts of the country,
opposed TO the extension Of slavery and in favor Of the
restriction here TO be imposed If this matter of origin
OF this petition is OF so much Importance to
lect committee should be appointed for the purpose Of nves
eating the subject. We should have Committee Con-
venons that if the origin Of the thing of much
sequence, that point mic he investigated This petition
asking legislation serious subect-a subject, SIR
upon which, the Senator from Mississippi (r FooTE
has well said " the public mind has been greatly agaed and
will continue to be agtated until it is definitely settled,
not compromised. do believe that compromise will an
in this Sir, must be settled and settled upon
principle. is to be met and to be met here hope, sir,
that those who believe that the people of this territory
titled government will be prepared to give upon
this subject, and to give it Besides, sir, this petition
puts US upon the Democratic patform-the I" Nicholson let
ter" That letter declared that this matter should be left
the people OF the territories Well now, sir the people have
spoken They have probably read the s'Ncholson letter.
They have thought perhaps that Congress- in its progressive
march, had got up to the step indicated by that letter, if no
change had been going in the public mind They have
taken for granted that there change and they have
acted upon the Nicholson platform in pe,tonng for civil
7 -
Presidential election disastrous the that built that
PLATFORM the principles of not entirely demolished but
that may with confidence appeal those who help
ed to build it. and who stood on and fought
fully stand by It's principles now, when there an oppor-
tunity TO give them practical and efficient meaning.
Now, for the first time, the people of the territory have
ask for civil government, and they have come in
the very spirit of the Nicholson letter. They ask US to give
them the first dose ofhe Nicholson medicine And shall we
sir, who have been fighting noby for this great principle
during the great campaign which has just cosedsha now
belle sentiments and backs upon the petition
er and kick the platform upon which stood and
fought manfuly No, sir, trust and that
all those who have believed that toe Nicholson letter contain
ed the doctrine who have not bad change going on in
their minds SINCE will up this occasion and to
give this people what they would have expected to have
eeved the author Of the Nicholson letter was at the head Of
the Government
move, sir that It be referred to the Committee on Terri
tories, with instructions report bill organizing govern
rnent agreeabIy to the prayer Of the petitioners.
Mr.. FOOTE. The Senator from New Hampshire (Mr.
HALE) has entertained the Senate very highly, though
that be has failed elucidae the question under
consideration The definition which have already assigned
the word convention" is disputed TO be the
properly subject Of dispute. From the face Of the
memorial before would be inerabe that such conven
has actually assembled in part Of New Mexico
high political purposes composed Of members regularly chosen
the people that country elections which have proceeded
the usual and in accordance with previous notice
Now, repeat that have evidence Of such a
tona assembly having met in any such mode does
appear upon the basis Of documentary testimony that single
public meeting has been held any part Of New Mexico
having in view the assembage of such a body. We
called upon presume every thing in favor Of this memorial
The Senator from New Hampshire MR. HALE) has exhibited
much Of the reconcile learning sppeaniDg TO the OF
conventions, and doubtless well qualified to lecture in
regular way upon the proper mode Of getting up and carrying
conventions any other member this body But he will
permit remind him that there is fact Of
with which he susans very particular connexon
which should admonsh him very forcby touching the danger
q relying too much upon hghsounding conventional preten
sions. He was il recoect Alright, active participant in
the that led to the assembage Of the celebrated
Buffalo convention body which got together under crcum
little imposing II described, the time Of
occurrence in Of the newspapers the multi
tudnous body OF the kind every assembled Many led
conjecture from the number Of the delegates convened
that they could possibly represent less than nineenths Of
the votes Of the whole conedeacy And yet, after all the
Free Soil party turned be the eebest faction that
undertook bear in Presidential contest they
able give the candidate Of their choice single electoral
Such may be the result in the instance under consideration
tof