The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-08-12

oossess the whole country in dispute; the title OF Mex
ico if she had any exinguished, and must by every
rule of Justice and pghted faith inure the benefit oil
MT Speaker, heard with surprise the views of my
colleague upon some OF the subjects TO which have I'D
tounded-when heard from his lips the unlocked for an
nouncemen that he should oppose the Senate bill estab-
fishing governments for Oregon, California, and New
MEXICO i1by far the most important bill that has been
under consideration either branch OF Congress during
the present session. bill which relates to subjec that
yibes through every and awakens the most IN
tense feeling throughout the whole Union the fate OF
which, in It's various stages, was sent with lightning
speed upon the wires TO crafty the anxious spirit OF the
country This bill my colleague opposes, declaring that
the Senate compromise Is no compromise Sir does not
purport be compromises but comes before us IN
form not less imposing proposes TO leave the question
OF slavery in the Territories subject the operation OF
the federal constitutional that instrument may be ex-
pounded by the proper lrbanal-the Supreme Court OF
the United States Our fathers have already made
compromise; the Senate bill only proposes to adhere 10
IL, whatever II may be.
But the gentleman opposes the bill Tor the additional
reason that il does not finally settle the question. call
on him. invoke all who object to that ground TO
rise up and tell us what will settle 1T pause There
is response. To devise proper measures Of eg Station
substitute easy task. Southern men, cherlshlng an
ardent attachment for the Union, and yielding TO the IN
uence OF the gales yet waited from the heds OF esoa
tionary memory-southern men, not unmindiul OF the
glorious past and looking with patriotic hopes to the u
lure have met their northern brethren in the generous
spirit of other days. and rendered renewal OF the COM
promise which, on a memorable occasion, substituted
peace and harmony for angry agitation and saved the
country from impending perlls This proposed DIVISION
of newly acquired territory securing as does 10 the
north the larger and more valuable poruon-has not
been accepted =.
DESTROYS yea, anxious to settle this exciting question
on basis OF equity and in spirit OF conciatlon ana
patriotism the Senate raised select committee consist
ing of eight membersso chosen to reflect the peculiar
character OF opinion political and secu0nal' prevailing
in the different portions of the country That committee,
composed of able, experienced, and patriotic statesmen
held their meetings. and after most labonous nvesga-
ton of the subject referred hem reported the bill OF
which have spoken. 1t proscrlbes no portion OF the
Unon but places the rights OF all under the guardian
ship OF the constitution and It's authorized expounders
1t neither establishes prohibits the existence OF slave
ry but leaves that question where it was placed by the
great and good who laid the foundations OF our gov
ernment and secured to us the Liberties which we ENJOY
Are the men of this day too vrtuousoo tar advanced
i'm political morality, TO live under the constitution framed
by The fathers of the Revolution Are they BETTER WISER
patriotic than the usrious heroes and sages who
hourshed in the age of the great and Immortal Washng
ton In the progress of this measure have been re-
oced to witness the of northern gentleman,
who occupies and adorns seat in the other branch OF
Congress--a thorough whig-an able awyer-a bold and
patriotic statesman. | alude to Senator PHELPS, who
sgnaized his vaor and devotion to his country more
than thirty years ago-who followed the American flag
in the war of 1912 through the SHOWS of Canada-sha
ring the dangers and enduring the prvatons OF the com
mon soldier. The feelings which then animated his
bosom yet alive in all their vgor lie has met tins
great question the spirit of his ancestors Rising by
The strength and individuality of his character far above
temporary prejudices and local excements, he has
American should actor the protection and pros
pery of the whole Union Representing constituency
whose feelings this subject are perhaps more ardent
than well poised, he comes forward, under high sense
OF duty to breast the storm OF popular clano lie throws
himself forward patriot OF the Reyoluton-as SOL
der in the late with Great Brltan-as an eminent
lawyer and accomplished satesman-whose fame and
whose services belong not alone to Vermon-e deliver
the country from the dangers OF local and party STRIFE,
and to give new and stronger guaranty Tor the pros
perty and perpetuty of the Union Penetrated by the
high and daring spirit which in other days burned In the
bosoms of Hancock and Adams, and glowed from the
lips OF Otis and Henry his patriotic devotion VIII not be
forgotten Isolated from ali his northern party friends,
he shines in solitary brilancy. like the morning star
when DINNER lights have been ecpsed Inc recollection
of his great will blaZon his name while living
and forever beam his grave as bright ray OF I'M
fading glory.
But 1t is said that the Senate bill does not settle the
question AS southern man, am prepared to extend
the compromise line of $50 3U to the Pacific ocean, re
serving for the south the smaller and less valuable por
ton OF Acquisitions and yielding both Monterey
and San Francisco TO the non slaveholdng States VIM
the north accept this proposition Southern ana north
ern men cannot get all they may desire What shall they
then CO.! Reject everything Patriotism, recollection
of the past and regard for the thick coming gores OF
the future call upon u.s. from all sections of the country
to come together counsel together, and make an honoa
BILE adjustment of difficult question Let each take
part of our Joint Acquisitions and secure the whole for
the honor, the glory and increasing prosperity OF our
Mr. HILLLARD. wish to ask my colleague if he
| regards the Senate bill as settling anything
\ Mr.. BOWDON. believe II settles the slavery cues
ton on a frmer basis than any bill which shall be
able to pass. go -
Mr.. HiLLIARD Better than any bill we could pass
| Mr.. BOWDON. Better than any bill which we shall
| be able to pass
| MIR. HlLLlARD Suppose we leave the question OF
the rights of shareholders the Territories to the de
cision of the courts: will not the north or the south get
the whole of the country DESIRE further to express
myself emphacally, whilst speaking against the Senate
bill was in favor of the settlement OF the question II
ought to be settled But regard that bill as no settle
ment-as inviting litigation, and provoking still wilder
MIR. BOWDON | will ask my colleague, before he
is in favor of
Mr. billiard. If the gentleman will yield the floor
long enough will tell him. He must be aware that
cannot, in moment elaborate scheme for the settle
ment of question which has so long bafied the skill
and wisdom of the whole country.
Il Mr. BOWDON | fear it will continue to battle the
skill and wisdom of the wing party which, on this ques
ton, north and SOUTH occupies the position OF hostile and
conending armies 1t is true, have lately witnessed
the approaching elections will give new stimulus TO the
waverng and prevent further detection. My colleague
has had the whole session to elaborate his scheme
few days since, he came into the House with written
speech-a very able and well prepared speech-in which
the rs were crossed, and the rs dotted listened very
atenyey to the whole of that well considered speech
anxious to hear not only the objections TO the Senate
bill but the charms of the substitute which the whig
party would propose. The substitute was not even
vaguely and darky limited it. On this question the two
wings of the whig party separated as by gull OF
fire. When they attempt 10 meet on common platform
they will dissolve into their original elements, or vanish
as long buried corpse suddenly exposed to the Then
only hope for long life is, to grope on in darkness In
stead of the substitute which ought to have been pro-
+ "a ta1 hv vary