Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-30
SPEECH OF Mr.. HOUSTON,
OF DELAWARE,
On The bill making appropriations for Lighthouses
and for other purposes.
OF DELAWARE,
Horss OF REPRESENTATIVES,, Aususr 9, 1913.

The House being in Committee OF the Whole the bill
making appropriations for lighthouses and for other purposes
Mr.. Snlru, Of Indiana, in the chair
Mr.. HOUSTON, Of Delaware, obtained the floor, when
Mr. GalSSELL with view debate expressing
his apprehension that if general discussion should be allow
ed upon The bill it might defeat by delay the passage of it
altogether this late period of the session but after some
conversation this point between the CHAIRMAN and Mr.
GRSsELL, the Chairman decided that the gentleman from
Delaware entitled to the floor when Mr. HousroN pro-
ceeded 10 say:
have been endeavoring, Mr. Chairman for several weeks
past yaou intervals obtain the floor for the purpose Of
submitting remarks the message Of the President
companyng the treaty with Mexico, connexion with his
late extraordinary message the subject of river and harbOr
improvements which repose together side by side, in
solemn state the Speakers table end now that have al
length obtained H. regret to perceive that the honorable
member Massachusetts should feel to be his duty
iu,erpose objection the observations which about to
make, all here present will bear witness that
little inclined TO occupy the time OF the House in unnecessary
irrelevant discussion other member upon this floor
Twas, indeed, fearful that might entirely fail acquire IT,
after the many riess efforts which had made under the
auspices Of those from the extreme North and the
South, who have been called upon of late preside
deliberations the temporary absence Of the Speaker until
somewhat Unexpectedly fed myself in the possession OF
it, by the kind indulgence Of gallant and distinguished son
of the West, whom feel il to be my duty thus publicly to
return my Acknowledgements for the courtesy extended 10
and TO you that is properly appreciated by me.
In speaking OF the message accompanying the treaty. and
of the territory which have acquired under it is lot
purpose Mr. Chairman, enter length upon the consider
alton OF the question OF slavery. That theme and that discus
sion have attractions for and yet sir, shall be par
doned, ipresume, if after the many distinguished examples
which have been during the present session of Con-
gress avail self Of this OCCASION before entering upon the
other topics which my particular object 10 discuss
glance for few moments that vexed and pesiental
question which has suddenly risen like noxious exhaaton
the surface OF these territories and which threatens
TO absorb and obscure other consideration connected with
the acquisition Of them. And here will remark for the
time allowed under the hour rule compes TO be
brief and concise possible that Judgment the only
practicable which has yet been proposed for the
temcnt Of this exciting question to the satisfaction of all
lions Of the Union, and to appeae the angry passions which
have been engendered by that which sleeps quietly
upon your table under ETHEREAL DOSE somewhat hastily and
summary administered by the vote of his House, as think,
the motion of my honorable friend from Georgia, (r.
SrEPHESs And although this not the time perhaps for
any Of those who contributed to low be shedding
the unayalng tears Of penitena its untimey
fate still bot regard unfortunate circumstance,
that time allowed for the consideration and dis
cussion OF it. in order that the friends Of free soil they
called, might discover how much they have lost by it.
aude OF course to the bill from the Senate for the organza-
ton Of territorial governments in Oregon, New Mexico, and
California, commonly termed the "cnmpromise BILL and
which contains my opinion, the only basis which this
sectional and unhappy controversy ever be permanently
and satisfactorily adjusted The great majority Of the South,
the OF Southern gentlemen this floor constitute
criterion by which may judge of the prevailing sentiment
in that quarter, prepared accede to it not simply because
they believe, affect 10 believe that the constitution and
laws Of the United States extend slavery these territories
at least authorize the introduction Of slaves ino hem but
because they wiling The that should be decided
that such is the eer and operation Of the laws con-
stuton, 10 abide by its compromises, you will spare
chem the odiam and modification OF nvdous distinction
implied IN absolute exclusion and positive restriction by
act Of Congress, which is all, believe they ask in such
contins Entertaining my own part firm and set
tied conviction that such the effect and operation Of the
laws and constitution of the United States and satisfied that
in chrendom could confer such a construction
and agtoGsy conup: be yond all judicial precedent, eau
perceive good why the North should refuse abide by
the test upon absolute and positive
ton As the territory Free and slavery has
ainy been excluded from il by the laws Of Mexico ALL it
strikes me- the friends Of " free soil require under these
cunstances is provision to restrain the territorial legislatures
10 be erected there under the sanction Of Congress- from
ing any law exercising any authority the subject either
10 prohibit establish it. and that is certainly embraced and
amply secured in the bill TO which have sdverted.
have assumed ~ fac, Mr. Chairman, that slavery has
been abolished in al these territories by the laws Of Mexico
for, although that honorable gentleman from
Vermont CMr. MARsa has far edeavored mpugn the
truth OF history doubt the accuracy Of this
statement in speech which he made here few days SINCE
still Is both legal and historical fact well established
TO admit oil successful contradiction confess not
little surprised after all had heard from Northern gentle
men, aLd mistake not, from the honorable member him
self IN speech which he made only m6nh ago. OF
the Proprty Of suffering free sol" to remain free soil"
10 learn Tor the his time that there intelligent
the county who doubted this fact entertained the belief that
the institution Of slavery still legally exists in California and
New Mexico, aud that that gentleman the honorable and
eng htened member from Vermont. Sir can scarcely be-
eve that the honorable gentleman aware how much he has
conceded the advocates for the extension Of slavery in this
and mistaken admission For not only was slave
~ abolished throughout the whole Of Mexico as early a. the
18th day or September 1892 by the decree Of the Dictator
Guerrero, wao prossed TO be invested with ample powers for
that purpose but the validity OF that act il il before
questionable has been subsequently, fully ratified and con-
.hrmed, and slavery has since been still further abolished
without any exceron throughout, the whole republic" by
supreme law OF the Mexican Congress- passed on the 5h day
a April 1887. II being then established both as legal
and historical fact, that slavery did exist in these Ter
Toes the time Of their acquisition BY the United States
the question arises what effect has the acquisition had upon
them in this respect II is Of the obvious and ia
misr msxims Of international law, and which has been re-
pealedy recognised tie audcaons OF the Supreme Cour
of the United States that ali the municipal laws ussges
regulations Of conquered coded territory, in force III
time OF the conquest cesOn, remain 10 full force and ef
feet until they altered abrogaied by the sovereign
The allegiance Of the inhabitants is psO faco, changed
transferred 70 the Government, and all the laws Of
ica character, such prescribe and define their relations
he State or the Government necessarily changed with il
But j. equally certain and well settled that all such law
and customs pertain the tights Of property and prescb
and enforce the duties and relations OF he peppe one toward
another remain unipsircj except far they neces
sary inconsistent with the constitution AMI laws Of the coun
try achieving the conquest acquiring the cesson Il is
therefore, manifest, from these familiar principles Of the IN
ternatoaal co1e that the Law of Mexico a5oshng and
clu!ing slavery from these Troes not altered or abro
gated ny the mere ccsson Of them to this country; but il
addition 70 this has also been repeatedly adudged and de