Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1849-08-25

70 give Us any form Of government, when every
feeling that could influence patriotic representa-,
tiyes, required them to extend the constitution
and laws over the country. California occupied
peculiar position. Ithad just been conquered,
and then purchased of Mexico. The people
knew nothing Of the purchase, and were not con.
suited as TO the terms ofthe treaty Of peace
They were guaranteed, ii is true, in the rights
and privileges Of American citizens; yet every
effort made in Congress- to secure them those
rights and privileges, has been steadily and sue
cessiuly opposed. When it was proposed 10
grant US the poor privilege Of doing what we
are now going to do-iorm State government
il met with equal and successful opposition
When the steadfas. friends Of California declared
in their places, that they were ready to meet
the consequences ofdeleating the passage Of the
civil and diplomatic appropriation bill, rather
than see Congress adjourn without providing q
government for this territory, we find the opPosi.
ton to US equally storm and successful. The
anomalous and unprecedented jeopardy Of the
civil and diplomatic appropriation bill, rather
than see il pass with an amendment providing
tor tho civil government Of this country, must
convince any rejecting that the opposition we
have 10 contend with is ONO ordinary character.
You all know what the civil and diplomatic bill
Is. Upon it the government rests. 1t provides
for tho salary ofeyery civil officer, from the Pres
iden, down 10 tide waiter. Without it the
wheels Of government would stop. From the
adoption Of our present form OF government, it
has never failed to pass at every session OF Con.
gress, nor been in such danger as at the last
session. And why nowl Because the fights
andprvileges of American citizens were extended
to you in that BILL as well AS tho burIhens of gov
eminent Let others speak we'll ofthe last Con.
grcSs ii they can point out its good acts and ben.
e6cial measures; but every citizen Of Calitor.
MIA, who loves his country, must denounce that
body as wanting in its duty. by which our rights
have been violated, and the peace and happiness
OF our common country endangered. Nor have
calls to patriotism and the performance Of their
duty been wanting, from those occupying the
highest position in the country. President Polk
made eloquent appeals To them in our behalf in
various messages, and we have the authority Of
Mr.. Senator Seward for saying, that Gen. lay.
Tor urged his friends, the last day Of Congress
to exert themselves to have some bill passed
Give them any kind of government" said he,
"but that Of tho bowie.knile and revolver. ~
That may not be supposed to draw too dark a
picture Of the conduct fine last Congress, will
read few short extracts from the debates
taken from paper have accidentally picked
up sine. came here and bear in mind that
similar debates were Of daily occurrence for
nearly sixty Of the ninety days ofthe session.
| Here the Hon. gentleman read various extracts
from the New York Herald Of the debates on tho
last night Of The session Of Congress
Nj. President and tellow.ciIizens, do not re.
fer to These difficulties to deter US from acting
On the contrary, we should from this cause, be
stimulated to immediate and decisive action.
But refer to the past and foreshadow the future
TO secure harmonious action among ourselves,
aud to chow the necessity of it, We must pre-.
sent an undivided front to the next Congress, and
thunder at the doors ofihat body fo1 admission as
one Of the free and independent States Of the I'm.
ion, backed by the unanimous voice CT the people
Let all minor questions be merged in the great
work before Us. Let Us act as one man, with
ihs knowledge that the destiny Of unborn gener.
aIions depends upon acting wisely and patriot.
cally, and success will crown our efforts. Not
only should VIC establish State Government
mind Of civilized nations with admiration to see
us meet tremendously together and form gov.
eminent, instead Of stirring up the angry pas.
sions oFihc people by calling public meetings to
denounce the last Congress-. One OF the most
acts Of legislation, Of modern times,
was the declaration of war by the United States
against Mexico. The representatives Of nigh
" nation Of twenty million Of people, of various
interests, feelings, and prejudces, with unanm
iy unexampled, in single day, passed the most
responsible decree that can emanatc from ma
ton, involving the lives of thousands OF the hu
man race, and the prosperity, honor, and exist.
ence Of nations. What was the effect Of this
unaniIni'y and prompt actionf The nation re.
ceiyed ii with shout Of enthusiasm, and our PEG.
pie, by tens Of thousands, offered their services
10 the Government to march under its banners
to victory or death. What other but the glorious
result ofthat war could have followed the enthu-
siasm Of such people. Let us then be equally
prompt, not in declaring war. but in providing
tor peace, and repair wrongs by peaceful reme-
dies, and we will receive the need Of praise Of
the patriotic Of every cline. There is another
reason why we should act promptly. A great
deal has to be done by the next Congress for Cali
Eornia, If that body like its predecessor, does not
entirely neglect US. We must have land system
es,ablished--have speedy surveys OF the public
domain, that the reservations due TO us as one of
the States Of tho Union may be promptly made,
and protected from depreciation. Private land
claims must be settled by competent tribunal
We must have mint, build customhouses, BAR
racke, naval depots. and lighthouses. Every
ono acquainted with the Legislation Of Congress
must be aware, that to insure the action of that
ponderous body upon any measure or set of meas.
ures, the members to whom they are entrusted
must be present at the commencement Of the
session, aud be placed upon the committees who
mature and prepare business for action. Send
your Representatives and Senators after Con-
greas is fully organised, and business chalked Out
for the committees, and they will be poweress
to serve you effectively. What is done for you
will have been crudely prepared BY the hands o
strangers to your country and its localities, ant
who are not responsible to you for what Is done