The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-16
possible that could remain silent when anything
offered disretpectful to my constituents hold 1t to

possible that could remain silent whom anything
offered disrefpectful to my constituents. held 1t to
be In the highest degree insoent In conquered people
conquered in . war In which the Southern people
contributed more than their full rhare-to petition
Congress FOR the exclusion Of portion Of the people
Of this Union from the territories which belong to
ell as States Had followed the dictate Of my feelings
! should have moved to lay the petition the table
but let 1t 60.
Mr. BrsroS-As the Senator from South Carolins
reiterstse in the most solemn manner, the declara
ton Of the insoence Of this petition because dres
pectful to his constituents desire that he shall
opportunity of recording his vote in conformity
with his expressed opinions II he do not for the
rejection Of the petition shall ask the yeas and nays
on the question Of its reference
Mr.. CALHoUI-Gn his seat)-I make no motion.
Mr.. BEsToN-Then ask for the yeas and nays
MIR. FooTE-I beg to know from the Senator from
Delaware whether he possesses evidence that this
petition emspated from any considerable number Of
the people of New Mexico?
Mr.. CLAYroN--I can answer, that have no doubt of
the genupeness of the documsnt-no doubt as to the
fact Of its having emanated from convention of the
people Of New Mexico, and that have received seve-
raj letters from persons with whom have indeed no
personal acquain but who are undoubtedly citi-
Gems Of New Mexico expressive of what believe to be
their honest desires in favor Of the granting OF the
MIR FoorE persisted in his opposition to the memo.
rial on the ground that there were proofs of its
authenticity. We have no proofs that notice was
given to any portion of the people of New Mexico,
calling together this alleged convention From the
face Of the does not appear that the conven
was composed OF duly authorised delegates from the
several parts Of the territory Stat nominis umb'a a.
There is substance in It, 1t but the shadow of
shade Let us look at it a moment proceeds to open
the petition)
MIR. BENros-Read the caption, sir. Read the cap
ton.
bic What evidence does this afford of the election OF
delegates to this convention? There is no evidence
that any notification was given What newspaper
gave notice. either there or In this country, of any
such convention of the people Of New Mexico, that
any ch convention has been held by the people of
New Mexico at Santa Fe or wbere else! It does not
n na oh oNfi
bled ft were regular convention why does 1t not
declare itself by the usual testimony Of such organza
assembled" &C. Who are ths people Of New
Mexico Do they include the Indians, or the
for ! understand, there are number Of them in
the territory who the people of New Mexico
they were represented in convention? This is spe-
cious document upon Its face The question it pre-
sents is of the greatest moment. We all know that
the American people have been deeply agltated upon
It, We have seen tive know it and we feel IL
painfully t is question between the North and the
South. 1t involves struggle between them for pow.
In such crisis how easy it is for interested per-
Shall we take every thing as genuine, merely
becaute 1t assumes to be SO? This document
appears to be enuine bat there no proof to sup
port still have objection to receiving IT, at ALL
but until 1t shall appear that there such
toh of the people of New Mexico, as is assumed upon
its face, l cannot give it that respect to which an
authentic fccume Mt is entitled.
Mr. WTsTcorr-The Senator from Delaware has
misunderstood me. did not say this was spurious
which 1t emanates. What did say, to express my
disbelief of this memorial emauang from the whole
people OF New Mexico Has the Senator any letters to
show that the remote parts of New Mexico any part
Of New Mexico, except Santa Fee was represented in
this convention The Senator will oblige if he can
give me this information.
Mr.. CLAYroN-The Senator has possession Of all the
facts which have come to my knowledge. The private
letters to me from Santa Fe into the discussion of
the subjects embraced in the memorial, and do
not speak Particularly of the elements Of the
convention. The writers strangers to me-
however, comes to me with the evidences of its
genuiness all other petitions 1t has the marks
t "a ss the memorial Of any other con
petition from Missouri anywhere else, were to come
TO in this form should have doubt Of its valid-
ty. | have no doubt In this case that 1t gives the
result Of convention at Santa Fe-a convention Of
citizens of New Mexco-and such it is entitled, as
conceive, to our rel pect.
Mr. Foo1n-Is there any evidence Of it in the news
papers! ....r
published the whole proceedings
Mr. RusK-.Did the Senator cay that the proceedings
he'd been published?
But if there is any humbug in the memorial why not
leave It to the committee to report upon the matter
MIR WKsTcorT-The Senator still misunderstands
me did not declare that the paper was forgery;
did not deny that there was meeting at Santa Fe
did not deny that 1t was large and respectable meet
the mel orial shoul have no objection. Instead Of
that sets to be the proceedings CT the people Of
New Mexico, assembled in convention. What ask of
New Mexico regularly represented represented
at all, by delegates TO this convention!
MIR. CLAYroN-I would refer the honorable Senator to
the newspapers. They embrace all the information
that have.
Mir. wxsrcorr-I have not seen anything Of it In
MIR. ClAyroN---I have other means Conformation.
But sir, even II this but meeting Of the people
Of Santa Fe II one HUNDRED or Of afsy or Of even
hold tbst we were bound TO receive H. as 1t altogether
retuectful in its terms.
bate, and as the mem oral has been called an inso-
lent" thing do not know but that l shall subject
N! sell to the ,ame charge Tor shall move an amend
wit instructpg the committee to report bill organic
Ing government in New Mexico agreeabiy to the
prayer of the petitioners The Senator from Florida
lMr Westcott says there has been no convention in
The meaning Of that term. Why sir here in this
country, where 1t Is presumed We know more of
conve ntiops than the people Of New Mexico we
sre puzzled TO decide sometimes what is and what is
not convention The people of New ork are pretty
, ,esea IN consen'ons ye. AFTER several a,semp.s
Vt the Baltimore National Convention. South
Caroline, State which knows still more of what
,titutes convention sent one man wac was enabled
70 cast nine votes; while New York, out Of Thirty
TX men to which she was entitled not allowed to
'nst one vote 1t is proper therefore If New Mexico
has not done the thing exactly to the standard, that
he be excused But perhaps 1t Is convention of the
rec soil party. (Ia hs. hay or may be of the demo-
oil, or am mistaken. Whatever may be the origin of
he petition, 10 for the committee to examine and re-
port. That matter aside, however, We come now to
he serious question presented by there petitioners
his 10 agatng question, and must be settled. 1t
/, =, not be compromised, but it must be settled We
oil Inv, 70 meet 1t here and those who prepared
vote ON a. ~, as we'll vote upon 1t This
noriai presents us tie true plstorm-the democratic
latform Of the "Nioholson letter The people OF
lew Mexico have proceeded ia the ~. 20 Srgan.
re government upon the platform Of the
eter (Tis ha! ba9 without, perhaps, having learnca
hat sDce that time 80 change has been going on In |
he public mind - (Ia! ha ba! on the whig side) |
truly the result Of that letter has been dsA,trous
nut the platform Is not 90 utterly demolished that We
must kick II from under the fret opportun nifty Of
estipg its practicability. | move to amend the mo /
ion Of the Senator from Missouri by instructions to
be committee 10 bring in bill organising territorial
overnmen according to the prayer Of the petitioners
Mr. FooTE-I desire not to be misu nderstood. The
enator from New Hampshire, hss gone into variety
matters, ana has entertained the Senate very much
ne meaning Of convention Is well understood. 1t
oes not appear that this convention Of NV Mexico
as OF that character which would entt 1t to be
oe nized Is convention. Mr. Foota illustrated that
ortv NIL I'M all "A