Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-08-19

they may deem proper do not stand here to
make any threats in their name, nor have authority
init even my constituents to any Of policy They
must do that for themselves My commission here extends
only TO the of their rights upon all questions and
that may before in this House. And this
shall do at all hazards Nor shall be awed intimdated
in the discharge of this high duty by any Of the trembling
alarms OF the official organ that the Union is in danger !"
that unless agitation upon this subject is quieted the free
soil movement the North will sweep every thing before it,
and that the Government itself will be endangered Such
appeals may have their effect upon the hearts Of the md
am myself not quite easily terrified into surrender OF
my rights and those of my constituents This editor how
ever rather his MASTER would have exhibited much better
Judgment and great deal PATRIOTISM if he had shown
little more foresight upon this subject II the country is
envroned by dangers and difficulties which threaten its u
mate safety, is the result Of his reckless awles and
unconstitutional measures; if ominous agitation is felt by
all if the Government shakes to its centre if the very pill
lars OF The temple of liberty rock in their places he best knows
what ncendary hand-what Guy Fawkes collected and fired
the explosive elements. He may repeat until doomsdsy,
zoe Oash skirts of all the consequences" But he will
find his skirts too deeply stained to be easily washed This
but the Phrenzed rawlings Of the guilty Macbeth who when
in his dsempered vision he fanced he the ghasy spirit
OF the murdered Banquo, exclaimed
Shake not thy CORY locks at me,
Thou cans't not say did it."
But this Government editor, the President whoni he
ses, need not suppose that because he is trembling and
quaking with fear sights Spirits spectres dire, which
the OF his mdeeds to haunt his dis
turbed brain that therefore every body else feels the
steadness Of with himself look upon this question
just did two years ago. when this Of conquest
commenced. raised my voice against it then. saw what
would be the result prepared for the present
with all its fury and am unmoved was then
saw the northern Democrats supporting the policy of
quest for the purpose of acquiring free territory OPP
posed to the whole policy because considered contrary
the spirit Of our constitution wage Of conquest under
any circumstances But was determined then, if territory
should be acquired that the rights of section equal
participation IN should be secured my ability could
Khnta IN ah e
upon the ground and shall never surrender il
so long the question is OPEN And alarms about the
Uo the rawlings Of baness scrbbers and hearless de-
magogue who coak and upon subjects which they
are profoundly Ignorant shall cause shrink from
the open and fearless maintenance of it. though may
stand solitary and alone.
have no objection to compromising the question, but
have only two plans Of compromise is fair division of
the territory by clear and distinct lines by which every
may know exactly to what his rights will be protected
not much whether it be by extension Of the Missouri
line, whether be by adopting line of the
tain ranges giving the South all this side and the North
all on the other am however, rather in favor Of the atter
but shall insist upon fair and just division That is
plan of compromise shall aver and if cannot get that,
have but other 10 Offer and that reject the territory
altogether Let US keep money which is 10 be paid for
it, and let Mexico keep her provinces and her people. Mr.
Polk in his message speaks the late treaty the supreme
law of the land. This consider intmation that this
House, in his opinion will be found the appropria
tons to carry into effect If barely intend here to say
power confded in this country the President and Senate
But sir the President and Senate have right power
make treaty which imposes obligation the part of the
House OF Representatives to carry il into effect This prn
cple understand to have been fairly settled the republican
doctrine of 1896. have the Journal of the House Of that
year before and find page 499, the following
luton upon that point
1 Resolved That, being declared by the second section
OF the second article OF the constitution that the President
shall have power by and with the advice of the
Senate 10 make treaties provided twoths of the Senators
the House Representatives do claim any
agency in making treaties; but that when treaty spuates
regulations Of the subjects submitted by the constitution
to the Of Congress- depend for execution
such spuations law laws be passed by Congress
constitutional right and duty Of the House Of Rep
resentatves in all such deliberate the expedeny
nexpedency OF carrying such treaty into effect and de-
termne and act thereon in their judgment may be
conducive to the public good"
Upon the passage Of this resolution the yeas and nays
taken, and adopted by Of 81 to 81 Every Re-
publican in the House, think voted for it, Amongst others,
see the distinguished names of James Madison Albert Gal
latin, William B. Giles, Nathaniel Macon, Abram Baldwin,
and many others The principle has been settled by the
Supreme Court.
have not time TO enlarge upon this argument only
intend to state the principle and show the authority, that the
country may be msed upon this subject The treaty
is not the supreme law OF this land yet and will be until
the laws necessary to give effect passed Mr.. Polk has
not yet asked to appropriate the money and when he does
will be Tin the language of the resolution for which james
Madison and all the other old Republicans in the House in
1896 voted constitutional right and duty deliberate
the expediency Of making the appropriations And |
state that am here when that appropriation is made,
shall exercise this constitutional right and shall vote
dollar from the Of this Union pay for
these territories If the institutions Of my section to be
wholly excluded from them. Nor will l. dollar to
carry this treaty into effect, until hsve this settled,
and what consider the rights Of the South secured And
believe this the great lever Of the South upon this question
Let the bill organizing Territorial Governments be linked with
the appropriation OF the money, and let the South present
unbroken front against paying dollar il their institutions
be excluded and shall have hopes yet of obtaining
justice.
Now, sir you know something of the only plans upon
which intend TO compromise this business But said
before, if in all this should be defeaed- the South will
stand with upon this pon,-if the combined vote Of
the North carry the Wimot proyso-then sir, IL will be for
the people Of the South TO take their such
they may deem their interest and honor demand II is not
for to indicate that But thing will say that
shall be with them in whatever they may take
Their interests my interests their fortunes my for
tunes their hopes are hopes and whatever destiny awaits
them awaits also.
And now, Mr.. Speaker, think that have conclusvely
shown that this miscaled compromise bill ought not to have
received support from any quarter and particularly from the
South.
As have but few moments left, will recapituae my
positions, that man may mistake misunderstood them
The LIST is that by the bill the whole subject Of slavery in
California and New Mexico, without any legislation the
part Of Congress or the territorial governments way
the other is referred to the judiciary determine whether it
can legally exist there not.
3D. That the constitution Of the United States fully recog-
exists by the laws OF the State place. but does estab
I,ah hu of Il