The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-21

should fail by policy TO secure our own peace ant
stability al home- would be willing that 1t should bt
delivered over to be the rendezvous and possession Of
outlaws pirates, and bandItii, assembled IRON every
quarter Of the world, if you please.
No measure, sir. have that effect in my judgment
though say this with very great Difference to the judg
nent and experience OF very honorable senators. No
measure can have that effect Let the Territory come
iato this Union one or two States, gentlemen may
think proper-eher at once provided in the first
ion OF the amendment, ii this not acceptable, con-
Jenayupon the conditions. confined and limited that
tbey have State government IN form that they shall
adopt in FORM and in limited time present, consiitu.
ron which shall be comfortable the constitution of
the United States. Sir. have objection to that if it
will meet the views OF the Senate do not wish 10
show any bgotry obstnacy reference to the form Of
the amendment have presented it in this form at once,
because is The simplest and because il is exactly in
cordanee with my own views but sir may be amended
in variety OF ways szl...
The only remedy for the evils that exist whether in
California New Mexico. contend. Mr.. President. is
to adopt which shall be final in regard to
ali The questions in dispute. That only be done
by admitting the Territory into the Union in the form of
one or two States at the option and according the dis
ceon of the majority of the Senate and House of Rep.
resenatves.
Now, sir, propose, briefly as can to advert 10 the
substantial positions have presented.
Mr. MASON, Tin his seat) That is coming to the
Mr. BELL. Yes. sir; will now come to the main
point bat think have made some few points alrea
dy However this is the great point in the have
presented my views with candor certainly; whether they
are founded in wisdom, another question and for that
am not responsible
Now, sir, what objection. it may be asked, can be fair
y taken the bill reported by the select committee that
proposes the admission OF California the western part
Of California-embracng the greater part, in fact a
large triangular section of California in Sateand
provides that shall be admitted to the Union State
as soon they can form State constitution which
povides that they shall make proclamation and adopt
constitution and be adopted into the Union upon that
condition. Now sir, with regard to New Mexico, the
bill reported by the select committee provides that when
proper number of inhabitants shall have settled there,
il shall all be taken into the Union. No other provision
is made ora government for that people, bya Territory in
there is particle of eight in this, if there
other objections would risk all that in the settlement
Of this question upon the principles have assumed; and
merely state 1t for the purpose OF showing why ii will
of future legislation
What is the proper number of inhabitants to form a
Stale under the constitution OF the United States Will
any senator be pleased TO inform me
SENATOR. None at all
Mr. BELL. None at all, undoubtedly Nor is there
any difference of complexion of any race upon the face
OF the EARTH il they civilized, which will create
constitutions objection to t.cr forming part OF the
eminent and assisting IN the formation OF laws and IN
sII'alons But am a.; DEPRESSING from the main point,
left the people OF New Mexico TO- struggle on without
law and without government until the number OF the
POPULATION had reached point not yet fixed
The main objection to the bill reported by the commit
tee seems TO me to be outside of all this. 1t TO
that IS better seriously to press no proposition than
one which cannot be carried. Now, can that bill,
ported by the select committee, whole pass this
body, and obtain the sanction of both houses of Con-
gress without the incorporation of the Wimot Provso
Can it, The honorable friend says no. 1t can
not without that restriction Then cannot pass at
all. The whole movement is abortive In my
Judgment az far regards the second clauses of the
BILL it cannot be passed in this Congress- because it
will embody the question Of the Provso The first
clauses of the bill may be passed, for they avoid
that great question, and the time prevent the
insecurity and anarchy. the blood that may flow, the
Dan
All this would have great weight with the Senate and
House OF Representatives in passing bill of this kind
while they under restriction to passing bill any
other FORM The State of California think, might be
admitted but the other think could not pass Suppose,
however, it should pass according TO the report of the
committee and both California AMI New Mexico should
be admitted States But what would be the result of
that SIR We should have everything quiet and settled
with regard TO California; but still the question, the
yexed question, is left open with regard to New Mexico
One honorable gentleman says that the contingency can
arise which would reopen this question say. no
Future Legislation must be had in relation TO New Mex
leo; and If this bill were to pass without restriction,
would not public sentiment at the North continue to sir
This question Would not the cry of repeal be raised,
1t were necessary to impose the restriction at future
tne' Agitation does not die rapidly Mr.. President
Those who have at stake their political fortunes and
placing themselves upon northern PLATFORM will
not SO easily relinqush their expectations Sir the
cry OF repeal would instantly come up; or il the
agitation was not persisted in upon that ground other
grounds would be assumed. Such is the nature
Of the passions of that section of the country, and
II Is very probable that any other people similarly cir
cunstanced would have the feelings and the same
ssons-tha while they have any ground to stand upon,
while there is any territory not finally disposed Of the
agitation will continue.
That my objection to the bill reported by the select
committee; and now, sir, with regard to the other bill
the original bill reported by the honorable
from Illinois, and which is the in its principles with
the amendment which | have offered. What was that
bill, Mr. Presldent9 1t proposed to admit this whole
territory into the Union forthwith State. NV prop
oion is to admit the whole territory west of the Rio del
Nore, leaving Texas all east of the Rio Grande and
half OF the valley MY proposition is to admit the whole
State. The proposition of the bill is to admit ii at
early day There is no difference of principle between
the two in fact
Mr. BUTLER Will the senator allow me to ask him
one question Do rightly understand that the operation
of your bill will be to make California State,
stanter, soon as the bill passes?
MIR. BELL If the gentleman will excuse me from
answering his question categorcally shall be obliged
to him and will it presently trust, sir, that
no rational objection has escaped my attention.
MY proposition is to take the whole territory forthwith
as State. The objection to it raised by the Judiciary
Committee in their report was, that could not create
State by Just admitting into the Union tract OF terri
Tory without government Although they may be
qualified TO vote, and to be citizens OF this Union yet
you cannot create State there. That the PROPOSE
and have great Difference and respect for their learning
hef distinguished character, and their ability in every
respeet-hat we cannot create State | think am APP
preaching the point started by the honorable senator
from South Carolina Mr. BuTLER1 Now, Mr.. Pfesi
dent, will not take up much time; but ask, what is
what is State general acceptation according to inter
national law would ask the honorable senator, if he
would allow me, to tell me how State exist in this
Coniederacy or in any part of the territories, until it is