The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-25
CITY OF WASHINGTON SUNDAY MORNING. MARCH g. 1S49.

what just well declared now that the constitution
Of the United States shall abogate all laws inconsistent
herewith Vow, put to the SENATOR and VIII put
to the Senate, and will say have discharged
my duty.
Bile senator viii take the construction which the
Mr. WEBSTER. take whatever is in the bill /; that
is all.
Mr. HUNTER. have most earnest desire to COM
promise this question.
Mr. WEBSTER On his seat) This is only for year.
| Mr. HUNTER Now, SIR the senator from Alassi-
chuse,ts says that according TO his construction OF the
constitution, cannot extend there do rise for the
purpose OF arguing that matter whether the constitution
extends not He is willing that the clause should
main The South believe this viii be the re
OF all the Mexican laws, without reference the const-
tuition OF the United States. Now sir if gentlemen do
| Mr.. WEBSTER. | shall at give my reason |
am unwilling to send the bill back to the House of Rep
resentaNves. If the gentleman is willing orun the risk
let hun take II upon his own responsibility
Mr. HUNTER | am willing TO take the responsibility.
have no doubt il we will agree il, the House of Rep
resentaves will agree 10 it, they have already agreed
to the amendment as II now stands. Now, sir, If our
object is compromise, and If do not desire enact
the Mexican laws, why not lei the amendment be clearer
Sir, say it sincerely, am willing to compromise
That question is question which justice to all parties
requires that should leave undecided Leave unde
cded, then let it be decided by the Supreme Court of
the United States Now, sir, am willing to take their
decision. Is not the senator from Massachusetts, also
willing to take that decision, with the degree of
rance he has manifested
this mean to say, there is anything we can say or
do, TO make the constitution of the United States para
mount law in Mexico or California it is already in the
amendment. For my par, say, once for ALL | stand
upon IT; Will not take the risk OF agreeing to any
amendment whatever at this stage of the session. the
amendment OF the House; because | think it is a mere
metaphysical abstraction upon which de-
batting. think the is clear, and will say, further,
we cannot keep out of sights the country cannot keep
it out Of sight The Senate have introduced amend
men similar to thus very amendment But am inter
ruping the honorable member and here rest.
| Mr.. HUNTER. With relation to this amendment
have only TO say that had share in its introduction,
and not responsible for it. will say nothing further
than that am against agatng this. may say, distress
ing subject in this Union nov Now, SIR, i IS known
lha, this does reach the object which have always
ENTERTAINERS | willing to compromise upon
what believe 10 be the fair basis; that is willing
to compromise upon grounds to leave this question of
difference undecided,
Mi WEBSTER II is undecided now
| Mr., HUNTER II he believes so, why not permit me
10 Introduce that amendment, which will place il upon
that ground this side OF the chamber well az that
in the southern section well the northern section
am sure 10 add nothing further. wish my amendment
TO make IT certain and wish, SIR nothing but what is
there in relation TO this matter Tie says he is not willing
TO Introduce my amendment. because II may endanger
the ,go Of h ms h s 40 , not think It !; IN Dan "a
that the senator from Massachusetts, does; and if the
amendment passes they will adopt it, if did prevent
the passage OF the bill would only be upon the ground
that the House intend to re enact the Mexican law with re-
gard 10 slavery and does, sir il it does enact that
law, would be willing to lose the bill sooner than il
|
so lar my vote goes OF losing the bill sooner than TO
allow the re-enacment of any law OF the Mexican gov
emment 10 operate against slavery. The gentleman
from Massachusetts says that he understands that the
laws of that territory exist that they exist until
persedcd. We maintain, the other hand that they
are superseded That is our ground did not for
the purpose of arguing it, whether right wrong Ny
object is compromise desire 10 settle the question
think it the part of wisdom gentlemen on the other
side of the chamber will agree to this amendment shall
make objection to the whole so far as | am
ed. If you will not do it, cannot vote for the amend
men matter what the consequences may be- even if
we have to call an extra session Sir know the con-
don which present. | do not ask the government TO
legislae for but when do, have right to ask that
they will not legislae against and il they insist, to
vote against the proposition
Mr.. WESTCOTT am not. Mr. President, in favor
of this amendment which has been adopted by the House
the senator from Virginia [Mr. MAsoNl at all reconcile
me to it. will state my objection, and if | wrong
gentlemen will please correct me. My primary objection
is apart from the slavery question, that there pro-
vision for the extension of the laws, the land
laws the penal laws of this country, that territory
not solitary provision. If the amendment is adopt
Mr.. FOOTE. Mr. President, call the gentleman to
older. The Senate -
Mr. WESTCOTT have the floor, sir
Mr.. FOOTE. insist, sir, with great personal respect
for that gentleman that is not in order for him to speak
beyond the hour OF necessary adjournment, especially
when his term has expired | urge, sir that the Con-
gress of the United States is bound 10 adjourn We have
right 10 SIT here another hour Let those who refuse
this just and reasonable proposition take the
|
The PRESIDENT ruled the senator from Florida to be
| in order
| Mr. WESTCOTT resumed. This is radical ques.
ton with me- The amendment proposes 10 EXTEND first,
the constitution and second, the existing laws to Cal
iforna. If the constitution goes there in virtue of lis
being extended by this of Congress, goes upon the
same authority which extends the Mexican laws, and
they will not necessarily be subordinate to it, Both stand
upon the authority and that is the authority of this
act see, then, necessity for this amendment of the
from Virginia does not effect the compromise
which he desires But | will postpone my remarks, in
the hope that he will vary his motion.
MIR. IULEE. | cannot resist the strong conviction
that now proceeding without right AS portion
oil the Senate think otherwise IN order TO test the
of the Senate, will make the motion to adj ourn de
Mr.. DAVIS of Mississippi. | move call OF the
Senate.
Mr.. YULEE. made my motion az the best means of
reaching the decision OF the Senate upon the rghuness
of continuing after IL o'clock.
| Mr.. Blu TIER Mr. President
Mr. YULEE. The question of adjournment is not de-
batabe.
Mr. BUTLER. | agree with those who say that it
does not depend upon the hour but upon Legislative dis
cretion to say when shall adjourn think the
ator from Mississippi Mr.. DAvIsl is right
| Mr. YULEE. rise to question of order. would
ask the Chair whether motion to adjourn is debatabe
| Mr. Blu Tl.ER. | am not debating it, sir; was only
saying that thought the senator from Mississippi Mr.
DAVIS right in wishing for call OF the Senate.
! Mr. KING suggested that it would be better 10 have
the Sergeant at arms wait upon absent members and
quest their attendance rather than to have formal call
of the Senate.
| Mr. TURNKEY | am one of those who feel that we
not here by legal authority Our time is out. mo-
ton has been made TO adjourn and upon that question
ask the yeas and nays
The PRESIDENT stated the question to be upon the
| adjournment.