The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-07-19
CnneressinnaI.

propositions before the Senate.
l. The proposition strike out the twelfth section
q The proposition of the Senator from Mlssis-
sippi. TO prohibit expressly any legislation.
8. The proposition Of the Senator from INDIANA
TO INCORPORATE in it the Missouri Compromise
a. The proposition of the Senator from Kentucky, |
that slavery shall exist South of that line, IN deil-
ance of the legislation Of Congress or the wishes OF
the people of the territories.
5. Not stated by him.
These several propositions he proceeded to ex-
anime, in all their constitutional bearings
The absorbing question of the day is the election
of an executive magistrate and all great questions,
whether this is right not appear to be examined,
and to some extent decided with reference TO their
bearing upon the final result. He regretted that
question like that involved therefore, should be now
before them, and he would infinitely have preferred
that the question had been postponed until that cleo
| ton had been decided.
In the state of the public mind now, it is ques-
ton not only of importance, but Of mOmentous I'M
portance, involving one of the most delicate powers
of the constitution, and of vital nlerestto the soVe-
| reign States of this Union-the right ot one por-
| ton to maintain and extend slavery, and oil the
/ other to exclude altogether moral pollution from
our territories. -
The importance to the safety and prosperity of the
Union of a settlement of these questions, and the
consequences of their continued agitation, were
| wildly depicted, and the consequences arising
| prove the bad management Of the executive by the
/ annexation of Texas. To annex Texas, under the
proper management subsequently on the part OF Inc
! Executive, would have prevented any war win
Mexico, and the shedding drop OF American
blood. And had this been prevented, the question
| now before them never would have arisen.
And when it did come, had it been conducted IN
the proper spirit, without reference TO the acquls
ton of territories, this question still might have bee
avoided. But the lust of glory and Of dominion had
induced the Executive to pursue different course
The Senator from Massachusetts had viewed this
| Suhia in Ii0i
he should view it in another. In favor OF annexa-
ton he found among the names of Senators from
free States, thirteen from the slave States, twelve
Mr. Davis said his remark that Texas had
been brought in by the Southern democracy IN the
lead aided by the democracy Of the North.
Mr. johnson proceeded The object of the Sen
ator had been TO showsthat Texas had come in
through Southern influence, which he Chr. j.
denied was correct to the alleged extent.
In regard to the justice of the Mexican war, and
the propriety of taking territory indemnify 1t
was well known that he (Mr. j. had differed from
the majority Of his political associates He had
voted for taking territory for the very purpose OF
avoiding this great question which is now agltatlng
and if not aayed may destroy the Union. And If
| his views then expressed, had been carried out,
the consequences which are following from diff
ferent course of cOnduct-frOm the influence OF
different counsels upon the eXecutlve-Would have
been avoided.
And the Senator from Massachusetts, instead of
endeavoring to allay the excitement upon this ques-
ton, appears willing to head a party, in this war
on the SOuth-to say that within It's present walls
must slavery be confined.
He proceeded to examine the powers of Congress
to adopt either Of the propositions which ne stated
Had Congress the power to prohibit slavery IN
the territories He denied that either the 9th artl-
Gle of the ordinance OF IISI, or the provision Oh the
/ Missouri compromise, warranted the conclusion TO
| which the Senator from New York Mr. DIX had
arrived as to this power.
r He had understood the Senator from Massachu-
sets on Saturday to contend, that so far as this
mower existed jnrelatiOn to the territories acquired
if was TO be found Out of and not IN the Constitu-
\ ton And was it to be contended that Congress
had tie power of legislation independent of the
Constitution His argument, that the power tC
acquire carries with it incidentally the power to 60
vern, he should examine by-and-bye but in regard
to the arguments Of Others he insisted that there
was not TO be found in the Constitution one line to
2 show that Congress possessed this power.
The legislative power of the Government Is the
power expressly granted by the Constitudon-thii
is a government Of enumerated powers, and not o
., general-and the only question to decide is, wha
are the powers expressly granted! One OF then
is to make all needful rules and regulations, Prepar
atory to its introduction into the Union.
He denied that there any force in the argu
ment of the Senator from Massachusetts, in regart
d TO laws prohibiting the Introduction of imprope
books, &c. Slaves were regarded in the light o
persons and property, and he should like TO know
by what right this Senator associated anythn!
: criminal with the institution of slavery
y On the g compromise" question, he said that h
would rather see the direst caamities inflicted upo
" us than dissolution of the Union. The slaves 0
> the South had been imported into the United State
{ by Northern men with Northern capitalize who'll
!. profit of the SPECULATION had gone into Northern
> pOckets-the whole value had been paid to them
I and when they were thus IN great measure respon
sible for the existence of slavery there, was 1t askIn
too much to require that they should aid in brlngln
= this controversy to a peaceful, speedy, and a
honorable termination!
Every good man in the United States would re
oice now the settlement of this question by adopt
{ ing the Missouri compromise line. VINO douDte'
: that it would be as satisfactory now, as Whe
3, adopted in 1920! Who believes that STAKEHOLDER
will desire to 90 with their slaves north of that line
or that PEOPLE from the free States will desire
: emigrate south of itl Who imagmes that when tn
e compact was first entered into it not ntende
L to apply all territory not only then acquired, br
which might thereafter be acquired
Adopt the line, and then the men OF the South ca
stand upon the territory south OF that line, under tn
v protection of the Laws and the Constitution, an
J. that was all they needed. In regard to the Presl
dental questions he would prefer that those opposes
: to him in politics should administer the affairs
= the government through all time, than that thi
1t question should not be settled.
l. 1t would be settled in no other mode. The Mort
:. and the South could be satisfied in no other way
= and the Union stand and he invoked every mem
h Der of the Senate to bring TO the consideration
this question that spirit of concession and compro
= mise which animated the Congress of 1920.
n At the conclusion Of Mr.. JohnsOn's remarks, Mr.
/, Hannegan proposed further to amend, by inserting
t, proviso that States coming into the Union, fror
7, the territories lying north of $50 3O, shall be ad
n mtted with or without slavery, without regard t
g the compromise, as the people Of the States
e admitted shall decide
= Mr. Underwood also modified his amendment of
fered several days since, in regard to the terror
5, living South of $50 3d. so to make the languag
e of it conform, as he said, to the language of tn
o Constitution.
It Both amendments were ordered to be printed, an
rs then the Senate adjourned-Nlr Hunter having tn
l. floor tomorrow.
1t House.-Mr. McLane presented memorial from
the citizens of Baltimore in relation to the chang
in the carrying of the Southern mail but objection
f being made, it was not received.
, Mr.. Goggin presented a like petition from Rich
e mOnd.
e Mr. MeLane then moved to take up the bill di