The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-14

told that we can impose prohibition, prescribe no
boundary to this institution the prospect OF the settle
men of this question is forever at an end II can be adj
used and settled onywhen these arrogant and offensive
pretensions withdrawn.
Sir | would gladly have remained silent on this sub
ect but after listening to the doctrines which have been
advanced in this debate, am driven TO enter my solemn
protest against them by an mpenous sense OF duty to
myself and my constituency.
1.-THE bill afterwards referred to a select committee
of eight, of which Mr. PHELPS was one The following
is his speech upon the bill reported by them commonly
called ''the compromise BILL
MONDAY, July "a, 1915.
The Senate having under consideration ''the Compro-
Mr. PHELPS said: Mr. President, RISE not to dis
cuss the amendment OF the senator from New Hampshire
but, as member of the committee who reported the bill
feel bound TO vndlcate the measures more especially
as G am to Judge from present appearances) shall be
almost the only representative of that section OF the
North from which come in favor of the bill 1t Is by
no means pleasant position. 1t was matter of ne
cessity in the first instance that consented TO act upon
the committee and to my entire regret have discovered
that the result OF deliberations had met with the
decided the most vehement am strongly tempted say
the most unreasonable opposition from the northern
ton OF the Union This subject OF slavery, much dis
cussed here has indeed excited the deepest alarm the
mind OF every man who is attached to the Union Long
before had the honor of seat here, the prediction had
gone forth that, if the Union to be dissolved it
would be through the agency OF this agatng question
No rejecting man can regard II with other sentiments
than those oil ALARM No who desires the pere,uy
of this Union avoid the strongest anxiety termi-
nate this excitement, and, if possible to settle this per-
| AS member of this committee | felt that | had
duty to discharge to the whole country. | was not
placed that committee for the purpose merely of rep
resentng the peculiar sentiments of the people of my
own State was placed there to discharge duty,
mperious duty, which owed to all sections of the coun-
try placed there in order to endeavor to bring to
end the agitation OF this subject at least in this cham
Der Under these circumstances concurred IN the bill
which has been presented to the Senate proposition
OF peace And it is now my object to sustain if can,
the assertion made the other day. that on this subject
thought could vindcae my course to the country at
large and to my own immediate constituents
The conferences OF this committee resulted in manner
surprising to all It has been said that met
here 1t is true The result Of deliberations brought
the honorable senator from South Carolina and my hum
BILE SELF who may be regarded representing the
tremes of opinion into concert If he and agree surely
justified in asking that proposition may be consd
cred and discussed in all quarters in the spirit of concia
ton. But how is this proposition met? To my surprise
and my regret the whole catalogue of opprohrious cpl
thets has been exhausted in the attempt TO heap odum
upon this bill 1t has been called skukng" I" dodg-
ing" shrinking" +" shutting" cowardy' measure !!
do not know but the term dough face has been APP
piled to each of its supporters
Sir all that the committee ask dlspassiOnae and
candid hearing If the bill do commend itself 10 the
sound, deliberate and impartial judgment of the Senate,
let be condemned; we must submit But am not dis,
posed to the bill hunted out of the Senate like wild
beast not disposed to be implicated in the cry OF
mad dog in relation to the subject The committee
entitled to candid and rational examination of their
work.
| What are the objections urged TO the measure? The
very first proposition believe coming from by honori-
upon the technical objection of misjoinder-he sub
jec lawyers all know, of special DEMURRER yes,
mere special demurrer. regret very much that in the
case of measure of so great mportanceinvolvng
sideratons of such magnitude affecting the interests of
the whole country the existence of institutions and
the Union-we are called upon in the outset 10 argue it
on the nice point of special demurrer My friend from
New Jersey Mr. MILLERl also complains that we have
united these several bills But, sir, there single pro-
vision in this bill relating to Oregon that applies to either
of the other Territories Is there provision which
tends to California that extends TO any other territory
except New Mexico' Where. then. is the force of the
objection that the committee incorporated in bill pro-
visions for three Territores' the objection
in one word The committee thought it expedient, in
order to bring the whole subject before the Senate and
troversy to which bill should be acted upon first to
pin together those bills which originally separate
and if any gentleman objects TO the union, he by
simply taking his SCISSORS moment the OBJ
lection, by cutting them apart
Sir, it but the other day that we had to meet the
objection that distinction made between these Ter
rtores; and the question was asked by an honorable
SENATOR show does it happen that you have distinguished
between these Territories, making provision for Ore
gon and another for California The question readily
answered | answer it for myself member of the
committee, in vlndcaion of my own judgment and my
own motives a northern man, hostile to the nstl-
ton of slavery and opposed its further extension
| The people of Oregon have already adopted my views
and my opinions, in the absolute exclusion of slavery
from that Territory. Every consideration which bears
upon the subject convnces that they will hold to the
opinion. There will be nducement to carry the
institution there Their condition. SOIL climate produc
tons, and pursuits, will forbid 1t; while the sentiments
and preconcelved opinions of the people who will
CRATE thther will be hostile to it. With New Mexico
and California the is widely different Those Terri
tories are debatable ground l. for one, was not willing
to ntust them with the decision of this grave question
and therefore that would leave the matter to ter
rtoria Legislation IN case and not i'll the other But
while we called upon the side to answer the
objection, met the other by the special demur
rer OF the senator from Connecticut upon the ground that
we have united in bill separate and independent pro
visions for each Territory, which neither CONTROL inter
fere with, nor modify each other.
Mr.. BALDWIN. The senator from Vermont does not
made to the union of those bills. The objection
ken and insisted the ground that the people of Ore
gon entitled to have their bill considered prospect
i've of any objection which mig ht result from any unw
ngness the part of members who favorable TO
the bill for the organization of the Territory of Oregon
TO vote for those provisions peculiar to New Mexico and
California. desired the bills to be separate, inasmuch
the Senate and House of Representatives could not
agree upon the provisions for the organization OF all these
Territories all would be deprived of government Oregon
among the rest whereas, standing alone, Oregon might
be supplied with Territorial government
Mr. PHELPS. have no doubt that Oregon is content
to stand on her rights; but do not see how these
rights are affected by having the bill providing Tor her
territorial government connected with another measure
providing Tor the government of another people 1t would
be due raise this objection when rs ascer
tanned that such difference of opinion exists IN the Sen
ale calls for the division OF the measures.
But the proposition of the committee has encountered
objections of importance than those relating merely
technical terms The details OF the bill have been mis-
represented, grossly msrepresented 1t has been de-
scrbed to the country odious measure and must,
be permitted to that it would seem from the com
ments bestowed upon the bill here that gentlemen had