Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-12-13

n Il
all the States possess this right, and Congress
cannot deprive them OF IL. The p-ople of C:eor-
gia might, II they choose alter their Constitu.
ton as to abolish slavery within il. limits; and
the people OF Vermont might 81 alter their Con =
>tituiIon As 10 admit slavery within It's limits
Both States wouid posses the right; though a,
all Know, it is not probable that either would ex
crt il.
1t is fortunate for the peace aud harmony Of
the | nion. that this question Temporary i'm IL
nature. aud can only continue for ,as brief PERI
Oh winch VIII Intervene bef1re California aud
New Mexico may be admitte. as States into the
Union From the THE of population now now-
ing INTO them, u, IS highly probable that this will
soon occur.
Considering the several States and the citize rs
OF Tue several States as equals. aud entitled to
equal rights under the Constitutions ir this were
an orig'ns! question it mig.t we'll b. INSISTED up
on IN IL tbs principe OF non int rference il the
true doctrine, and that Congress couiJ no, in
the absence OF any express grant OF power, in
tertere with their relative rights. Upon a great
emergency, however. and under nicnacing dan.
gers TO the Union, the Missouri Compromise limo
IN respect to Slavery, was adopted. The samo
line was extended farther west in tho acquisition
OF Texas Alter an acquescence Of nearly
thirty years IN the principle of compromise re-
cogniz-d and established by these acts; and 10
avoid the danger TO the Union which might fol-
low II II were now disregarded, have hereto
tore expressed the opinion that that line Of COM
promise should be extended the parallel of 36
degrees 81 minutes, from the western boundary
OF texas, where II now terminates, 10 the Pacif-
&c ocean This is the middle grou nd Of compro-
mise upon which the different sections Of tho
Union may meet as they have heretofore met
II this be done, 1t is confidently believed largo
majority OF the peopI. of every section Of the
country, however widsly their abstract opinions
on the subject OF slavery may differ, would cheer
fully and patrio'ic,liy acquiesce in it, aud peace
and harmony would again fill our borders.
The restriction mark Of the line only
Welded q e of ri nd t.
on the principle Of compromise made necessary
Tor inc sake OF preserving the harmony, aud pos
sibly the existence of the Union.
1t was upon these considerations that at tho
close OF your last session, gave my sanction "
the prime ple Of the Missouri Compromise lire
by approving and signing the bill to establish
territorial government Of Oregon From a sin
cere desire to preserve the harmony of the Uni
on, and an difference for the acts Of my predc.
cessors, felt constrained 10 yield ms acquies-
cence TO the extent to which they had gone in
compromising this delicate and dangerous qucs-
ton But IT Congress shall now reverse the de-
ciSion by which the Missouri compromise
effected and shall propose to extc nd the restrc-
ton oyer the whole territory, as well as north Of
the parallel OF 30 degrees. 30 minutes, il will
CEASE to be compromise, ami must be regarded
as an original question.
If Congress, instead Of observing the course
OF non-inierference, leaving the adoption of
their domestic institutions 10 the people who may
,nhabit these territories; or if instead of cxte nd
shall prefer to submit the legal and constitution
al questions which may arise, to the decision of
me Ju'icia' tribunals, as was proposed in a bill
which passed The Senate at your last session, nm
ADJUSTING mt may be effected in this mode If tho
whole subject be referred to the Judiciary all
parts of the Union should chez rfuIy acqniesce
III the final decision Of the tribunal, created by
the Constitution for the settieme ut Of all ques-
tons. which may arise under the Constitutions,
treaties, or laws of the United States.
Congress Is earnestly invoked for the sake o (
the Chion, ITS harmony. and our continued pros
per'ty as nation, TO adjust at its present session.
th's' tle only dangerous question which lies in
our pam, ~ not IN some one of the modes suC
gested, IN some other which may be satisfactory
In anticipation of the establishment Of the
regular governments over the acquired terrific
RES Joint commission of officers Of the Army
and Navy has been ordered TO proceed TO the
coast Of California and Oregon, for the purpose
OF making reconnaissance. and the report TO tho
proper sites for the erection Of fortfic atons
other defensive works land. and Of suitable
situations Tor Naval stations, and the information
which may be expected from n scientific and
sk'iiu examination Of the whole face Of the coast
would De eminently useful TO Congress, when
they come to consider the propriety Of making
appropriations for these great national objects,
Proper defences on land " i'll be necessary for the
security and protection of our POSSESSIONS and
tile establishment of our navy yards, and a dock
Tor the repair and construction Of vessels, will
be important alike TO our navy and comnle rcial
marine. without such establishme nts. every
vessel, whether OF the navy Of ths merchant
service, requiring repair must, ut n great ex-
pense. come round Cape Horn 10 one OF our At
iantc ards for that pu rposs; with such estab-
l'shine nts, vessels il is believed may be built or
repaired as chcapIy in California as upon the At
iantic coast. They would give employment to
many OF our enterpri-ing ship builders and me-
chanics, and greatly facilitate and be neiit our
commerce in the Pacific.
As II IS ascertained that mines Of gold, silver.
copper and quicksilver exist in New Mexico aud
California, and that nearly all the lands where
they are found belong to the United States, il il
deemed important TO the public int rest that pro-
vision be made for geological and nIineralogi-
cal examination Of These regions. Measures
should be adopted to preserve the mineral lands,
especially such contain the precious metals,
for the Of the United States. or if brought
into market, to separate them from the farming
lands, and dispose Of them in such manner to
secure large return OF money TO the treasury,
and at tie same time lead 10 the development of
their wealth by individual proprietors and pur-
ciiasers. To co this, it will be necessary pro-
vide for an immediate survey and location Of the
lots. IL Congress should deem it proper to dis
pose of the mineral lands. they should be- sold
in small quantities, an at fixe IN nmum prices.
recommeud that Surveyor Generals Offices
be authorized to be established in New Mexico
an. California. and provision made for surveying
and bringing public lands into market at the
liest practicable period. In disposing Of these
lands, recommend nd that the right Of pre-emp-
ton be secured, and liberal grants made to tho
early emigrants, who have settled, or may set
tie upon them.
1t will be important TO extend revenue
laws, over these territories, and especially over
California, at an early pc ROD There is already
a considerable commerce with California; ana
until ports Of entry shall be established aud col
lecfors appointed, no revenue can be received.
If these and other necessary and proper meas
ures he adopted for the development Of the
wealth Of New Mexico and California, and reg
uiar territorial governme mis- be established over
them, such will probably be the rapid enlarge
IaeDt Of our CONNER and navigation. and such
the addition to the national wealth, that tho pres
ent generation may live to witness the controii-
+, ing commercial and monetary power Of the
world transferred from London and other Ea-
ropean Emporiums. to the city Of New York.
/ The apprehensions which were cntef.
| tanned By some Of our statesmen, in tho
earlier periods OF our government, that
our system was incapable Of operating
with sufficient energy md auccoss over