The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-19
THE UNION.


The Rainbow PeaceI
II is no longer the Missouri Compromise but il is still
compromise between different sections of beloved
country. We shall equally hail it as the rainbow OF
peace which stills agitation arrests excitement. and
gives peace to people and stability to our Union.
This scheme of compromise has emanated from the
committee OF eight by ballot OF the Senate Thursday
last-four from section OF the Union, and four from
the sther-half of them democrats half wings; the
wing member from Delaware, also chairman OF the CON-
muee being from State situated in the middle of the
Union--neither, in fact, north nor south
This committee have been assiduously engaged in then
duties, day after day. ever since their appoint
ment They have displayed the finest spirit-suggested
and rejected various schemes of compromse--and finally
settled down proposition which was yesterday re-
ported TO the Senate. and ordered to be printed
We heard scheme, similar in many respects, and
boomed the same legislative principles proposed by
western member few days ago. To understand it the
better, must remark, that of the Territories OF
the United States have had Territorial forms of gov
ernment-he first is when the governor, judges Sc,
have formed laws for the Territory, subject to the
subsequent action of Congress These few federal off
formed these Territories of course the legislative
power. Such was the original form of Illinois, Indiana
&c. After certain period OF probation the people had
the power of electng their own delegates, who formed
their territorial legislature Last of all comes the State
government
Most of Territories have passed through these va
ous forms One or two of the last Territories Wiscon
sin, for example-began with Territorial Legislature
ctosen by the people themselves.
1t is thought best by the committee, as the inhabitants
of nj rol
persons acquainted with legislation to give them the
first form of egslation--eavng it to time to ripen them
for the other The only restriction upon their legsa-
that they shall not pass laws upon certain spec
fled subjects This scheme, then, far, is upon the
principle OF non-intervention
The bill which the select committee of eight e.
ported yesterday, establishes governments in the Ter
ritories OF Oregon, California, and New Mexico The
chairman. (Mr Cayton) reporting the BILL stated
that had been agreed upon by the committee, with great
unanimty and we understand the committee una
nimous in the report-one member from northern and
one from southern State having reserved to themselves
the right to act they may be advised upon perfect
consideration.
The bill (of which we have been unable to obtain a
copy is substantially follows II establishes govern
ment in Oregon substantially provided by the bill lately
before the Senate, which referred to the select
mtee 1t is, however, amended to leave the laws
of the provisional government of Oregon in force until
after the organization by Congress, when the legislature
of the Territory authorized continue or repeal them
as they may see fit.
California is organized by the appointment by the Pres
dent and Senate of governor secretary, three judges
district attorney and marshal The governor and
Judges to constitute legislative council, and pass
such laws as they may deem necessary but they are
prohibited from egislang upon slavery, to establish
form of religion, incur debt upon the territorial faith
or to primarily dispose of the soil. Their laws are
to be submitted to Congress; and if not approved, to
be void There is to be appeal from the Territorial
courts to the Supreme Court of the United States in the
same cases as from the circuit courts Of the United States
New Mexico is the in all respects, except but two
Judges are to be appointed for it. The laws and consti
tuition of the United States extended over it.
This important bill is ordered to be printed and will be
taken up at an early day by the Senate We understand
that it has already found much favor with that body and
it is supposed will pass the Senate by pretty strong
vote.