The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-05
SPEECH OF MR. CORWIS,
or OHIO,
Mr.. CORWIN said
In SENATE, july "a, ls4s.

MIR. CUkWlN SAID
Mr. PaEsIDEsr: should scarcely undertake to assign
to the Senate for proongng this debate, espe-
cay after the very elaborate and lucid exposition of the
bill now before US which has been given BY the senator
considerations with which will not trouble the Senate
10 sale very few words, if that be possible what my
objections are to the passage OF the BILL and, may be,
10 offer some few observations In reply 10 such PROPOSE
tons as have been announced at various times during
this debate by senators the other side of the chamber
have listened with great eagerhess, since the com
mencemen OF this discussion 10 everything that has
been SAID with the most sincere and unfegned desire TO
make myself acquainted with at least the primary ele-
mens and principles which enter into the composition of
the bill and think may say, without exposing myself
to the charge of egosm that feel asltte the influences
which have been spoken Of by the senator from Vermont
as il is desirable that any gentleman. acting in the ca
pacty Of legislator should feel do mol participate,
however, may advertise gentlemen, in the belief which
has been constantly expressed during this discussion
that this subject which skely to produce that terri
bic and momentous excitement that is spoken OF. 4
believe ii this principle discussed soemny, and,
so speak, abstractedly from those extraneous
cumstanoes frequently adverted TO here, that we
should be much more likely to arrive at satisfactory
conclusion 10 ourselves, and at more satisfactory re-
suits, hope. 20 those who are ttsecmc after as l
now before the Senate will produce a disruption of
the bonds that hold this Union together. | have no
belief that the passage of the law much deprecated
by some gentlemen on this side, by the name, if you
please. OF the Wmo Proviso, could, by any possibility
whatever, induce the southern portion of the Union,
which, we are told, is SO much excited the subject to
by which held together. Sir, if entertained an
opinion OF this kind, should scarcely think seat
this floor worth possessing for single day. do not
think the technical term spoken OF by the from
Vermont, the "Wlmo Proviso," of itself exercise
that influence upon statesmen OF exalted intellect Of the
South which has been ntimaied by gentlemen who have
participated this debate What is this terrible Wmot
Provso that has been erected here and elsewhere into
such head and bloody bones, to very express
slve phrase OF the nurseryi What is iii Why, sir,
there are about me senator's who know very we'll whom
the paternity OF the Wilmoi Provso" as it has been
recently baptised belonged They know that the same
gentleman who draughied the declaration of ndepend-
ence, which Is hung up in our halls and placed in Ii
braues, and regarded with the reverence as our
bIbe-ior has become gospel of freedom all over the
world as well as IN tbs that which is
called the "Wilmot Provso composing il did section
OF the ordinance OF 1857, and that the hand that daugh
ed both Jefersons There have been some strange
msnomers in regard acts some strange confusion of
nomenclature IN this country, in this case, when
part Of the ordinance of 1857 has bear the appel
laon of the "Wilmot Proyso" Sir, much as respect
that gentleman Tor his position upon this subject, which
has connected his very with the ordinance of l757
ldeny TO him the honor of originating it, Ii is piracy
OF the copyright do not that there is any danger
that southern gentlemen after the lapse of so manv
and after the founding of young empire in the West by
virtue OF that ordnance will desecrate the memory Of
Jefferson and spit his grave, because merely re
enact that ordinance Territory which has subse
quently come into our possession have idea that
such consequences will follow from the passage of such
a law as gentlemen have predicted There must have
been strange revolution wrought the minds of south
gentlemen between 1857 and 1917, If such conse
quences are to follow. And could not help observing,
while the senator from Vermont expressing these
noble sentiments, which every body, those who
do not feel them, must admire, telling us we should
act here independently of the excitement without these
walls. and that should scorn those newspaper par
agraphs In which we vilihed written by those
who know little of the motives by which we are
influenced, and who care less; | could not help OBJ
serving that at last the senator admonished that
there was an excitement abroad which we must allay ;
and to do that he agreed to this bill, although it
somewhat different from that which he desired that
the lion hearted senator from Vermont has agreed to this
compromise, 1t is called, because there is excite
ment which he wishes 70 allay by it, Sir desire TO
gentlemen act and vote here il there no excitement
on the subject should be very sorry, at least, TO al
low any influences 10 operate upon my deliberate udg
ment except those which belong the relation of repre-
sentative and constituent Ii is the furthest from my
intention of anything that be conceived OF TO say
an! thing in regard to this bill which may wound the feel
ngs of gentlemen who have abored 80 hard to produce
something that would satisfy all. The senator from
Vermont has acedas he should have acted, has acted
molly in relation TO this matter; and | know very well
that he will be willing to accord to me the rule OF
action, the same independence that he has used and
iea when come to speak of the bill, shall be under
the necessity OF awaiting myself of what the gentleman
has called Especial demurrer :; for do not think there
is such pressing necessity for the passage of the bill
ooe us TO orego the statement OF such obeconsa we
may entertain Suppose you enact no law, what will hap
Pen Oregon has for many years taken careo herself and
believe on or two OCCASIONS, made better laws for
herself than she likely to get at our hands She has
taken care OF herself since she became integral
portion OF the Union by the settlement of the dispute be-
tween and Great Britain. How the new provinces
may fare, what may happen TO New Mexico and Califor-
ma IN the intermediate time which will elapse, if
should not be able 10 act upon this matter at the present
session. Is not matter of much concern apprehension
with because know they have been your custody
lot year or Wo and have not complained at all for the
want OF legal enacments they have only complained that
you have made too free OF gunpowier Rather than
not act in the matter fully and deni,ively, as would
There were emergency, would allow those provinces
10 take care OF themselves for another twelvemonihs,
and come here at the beginning OF session ready
10 act upon the subject my judgment should dictate
Now SIR, In the first place, understand we have
message from the President, although believe it has
been advered 10 by any calling upon to designate
The boundaries OF these territories OF New Mexico and
california; and another branch OF the legislature has
been anxiousy looking the geography OF those coun
Ines, and tracing their history, and yet incapable
OF determining where Texas ends and New Mexico be-
GINS and they have been under the necessity OF apply
ing 10 the chief magistrate to give them lesson in geog
Iaphy. What the substance OF the information they
have received was, do not know but have been in
formed upon the floor of the Senate that Texas extends
to the banks of the Rio Grande
ii TINS be 80, must he permitted to look to the gentle
men OF the committee for information to how much is
lei, Tor New Mexico what extent OF territory, and what
amount OF populauoni Is il worth while establish
territorial government there, If ii be true that Texas
tends to the Rlo Grandes think il will be found that
there VIII be but fragment OF New Mexico left, far
as population Is concerned. Ii will be very convenient
perhaps, TO attach 1T 10 the government of California If
you send your governors and other officers there without
establishing the boundaries there will be n conflict of
territorial jurisdiction. Is il expedep, 10 settle II
now, when you founding governments there
and placing side by side institutions which may he very
dlssimar 1t is perfectly certain that Texas will extend
ner laws TO the Rio Grande and II she does she will
comprehend within her jurisdiction a large proportion of
the population of what formerly New MEXICO
here then, is my special demurrer Under other circum