Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-11-30

tne Uallcr 10 teTfltOTlal lcglSaiiOn IN ono case,
and not in the other. But while we arc called
upon on the one side TO answer the objection, we
are met on the other by the special demurrer of
The Senator from Connecticut, upon the ground
that we have united in one bill separate and in
dependent provisions for each territory which
neither control, interfere with, or modify each
other.
Mr.. BALDwrN-The Senator from Vermont
does not seem TO apprehend the point Of the OBJ
lection which made to the union of those bills.
The objection was taken, and insisted, on the
ground that the people Of Oregon were entitled
to have their bill considered irrespective of any
objection which might result from any uuwil-
ngness on the part of members who were IA
vorable TO the bill for the organization of the
Territory of Oregon, to vote for those provisions
peculiar to New Mexico aud California. | do
sired the bills TO be separate, nasmuch as 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,
it standing alone, Oregon might be supplied with
I q territorial government.
Mr. PHELPs.-I have no doubt that Oregon is
content to stand on her own rights, but do not
see how these rights are affected by having the
bill providing for her territorial government con-
nected with another measure, providing for the
government of another people. 1t would be in
due season to raise this objection, when it is as
certained that such difference of opinion exsts
in the Senate, as calls for tho division of the
measures.
/ But the proposition of the committee has en-
countered objections of more Importance than
those relating merely to technical terms. The
details of the bill have been misrepresented--
grossly misrepresented. 1t has been described
to the country as an odious measure and must
no norm cd tn hat fbo
comments bestowed upon the bill here, that gen.
tlemen had derived their idens of it rather from
the perusal of newspaper paragraphs, than from
an examination of the bill itself.
My purpose in addressing the Senate, is, in
the first place, to vindicale myself against the
charges inToved in these misrepresentation /;
and secondly, to vindicate the bill itself before
the Senate and the country. AS have already
lnllmated, the most decided opposition to the
measure which has been manifested here has
come from my own section Eof the country. 1t
may be that stand alone in its vindication, but
trust to be enabled to stand upon my own re-
sources, and shall trust to my own intelligence
for my vindicaion. 1t is well known that rep
resent portion of these States, as ecidedy
hostile to the institution of slavery as any Sec
ton of the Union. Ultra indeed, may call the
people of that portion of the country, for they
have always taken tho most decided and strong
est ground IN opposition 10 1t. / have had occa-
sion heretotnre to give expression TO their senti-
ments and my own uoon that subject upon this
floor. Only few days ago | expressed those
sentiments in manner, as believed not at all
misunderstood. professed my decided HOSTILE
ty to the extension OF this institution to any por.
ton OF this great country under our legislative
control, where II does not already exist. | main.
tam the same position still and standing upon
that position, concurred in the bill reported by
this committee | will add that defy the world
with all The ingenuity that can be brought to
bear on the subject, and all its temagoguisns,
to show that | have abandoned one particle of
the principles heretofore maintained by me on
this fluo, or one iota OF the constitutional power
necessary to carry those principles out.
| ain not about to enter into heightened ar
gument, us to the effect Of this bill. MY views
have been already expressed on former coca.
sion, and they have been reiterated by Others
who agree with me upon the loyal principles
which form the basis of my opinion, as to the
effect OF the bill. AT the same time it is neces-
sary briefly to advert to them, in order to show
their application to the measure before US. In
dong this beg gentlemen to understand that
my remarks are intended TO meet northern OBJ,
jectons. My vindlcation is to be addressed to
that quarter in which the charges have been
made; and IT, In vlndicaling myself 1t should
happen that do not commend the bill to the ia
vorabe consideration of southern gentlemen,
have only to say, that understanding my pur
pose, they must judge for themselves O
what say, and of the propriety of sustaining
measure which fear my arguments will no
commend much to their favor.
What, then, are the provisions of the bill p
What let me ask, in the first place, is the condi
ton Of those provinces? That inquiry has beer
answered by documents read at the clerks table
I, IN
with an absolute express abolition Of this Who'll,
system of African slavery. 1t was extermina
ted there totally, absolutely and forever. Sucl
was the condition of things there when thel
came under our dominion; and such as | main
tain, is their condition still. We have all suppo
} sed, until we learned to the contrary from tn
Senator irem New Jersey this morning, that b.
The law OF natlons-the law of the civilize,
world-the law Of equity, and humanity, and 0
common justice, the municipal regulations of
conquered or ceded territory, SO far as they ar
connected with private rights, and the rights o
, property, remain IN force until changed by tn
| Legislation OF the conquerng power 1t require
no argument to establish that proposition. Tn
, question, indeed becomes this Does the cessio
!, OF territory, Tor its conquest, if you please {
use the term,) dlsorganlzc and destroy the Who'll
: social system? Does 1t abrogate all clVlllze
: association; and 10 every individual OF such
e territory upon occasion of its cession, GROWN
o out OF conquest or otherwise, turned out of tn
: pale Of civilization? Does all security for lif;
J or liberty or property, cease? Is the title to a
/ property vacated? Is crime legalized, if sue
5 an expression can be used where there is no law
f And can every crime known to tho category
n human depravl,y be perpetruted without the pow
Y or to prevent, or the power to punish If not
!, # society can hold together under a cession,
follows that the lIgaments which hold it togetht
r remain in force until they are destroyed by 81
n perior power.
: Mr.. MnLER.--l hold that they do, until alter
G ed by the conquerlng power; and that when 20
# establish government there, you abrogate th
\ previously existing laws, which are inconsisteI
@ with the laws which you establish.
v Mr.. PHELPs.-U PROFESSIONALLY l will NJ
: differ with the honorable Senator on that poin
a So. far rs the laws OF the conqueror, which al
extended TO the province, come in conflict wit
q previously existing laws, the latter are abrogate
o there Is no doubt of that But the genera
IS principle is what | contend for, and am Yer
Il happy TO find that the Senator from New Jerse
n concurs with us ON that point. We have ha
r several arguments on that subject. had myse
J. the honor OF addressing the Senate on that yer
: point, and believe was fully sustained by III
l. honorable Senator from Connecticut, Mr.. BALI
IS VIM who preceded me the honorable SENATE
Of from Massachusetts, Mr.. DAvIs,) not now pre-
= ent; and the Senators from Maryland, IN
u JOHNSON and New York MIR DIx1 and fro