The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-01
CITY OF WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY MORNING. MARCH l849

the officers who administer those laws carry out the prin
cpes of the constitution and laws of the United States
The amendment of the from New Jersey provides
in effect that the Mexican laws shall remain IN full lorce
without any power To make any notifications whaeVer
is invested with any power to modify them IN the
slightest degree Now desire TO put the question TO the
honorable senator from Connecticut, Mr.. Niles, when he
talks about the monsosity of investing the President with
despoc power how can he conceive of the exercise OF des
poc power by the President any other officer under
constitution and laws? The thing impossible unless the
officer violate the constitution. The first amendment re-
the rules and regulations" he may make TO entire
consistency with the constitution and laws of the United
States Every rule every regulation he makes must be
consistent with the constitution and consistent with the
laws of the United States This repeat, is the express
provision of the amendment If the President steps one
hairs breadth beyond that line he violates the constitution
and violates his official oath. The rules and regulations
made would also be void Now, ask senator's, and
especially ask the senator from Connecticut Mr..
MILES,, if he was resident Of California which would he
prefer being governed by Mexican laws, which he is
rant and which laws and forms know would not be agree
able to his notions OF proprey being governed ny the
constitution and laws of the United States, and rules and
regulations made by the Chief Magistrate of the union
upon his official responsibility and administered by Of
fcer of this government amenabe to our laws and to us
cannot douot which he would choose. We have prece-
dents this question. Who does not remember that,
when the uslrious Jackson arraigned before Con-
for putting Col Calava in prison, and dsregarding
Judge Fromentns singular writ of habe corpus, and adj
monshng the Judge of the danger of his mourning punish
ment he successfully defended himself by showing that,
under your law authorizing it, President Monroe had given
him two comm MISSIONS one of which invested him with all
the powers of captain general of Cuba with respect to
Florda' You continued the existing )vernmeDt and laws
of Florida by your law BY those laws the governor had
all the executive, judicial civil military, and legislative
powers and in fact all the powers OF the government IN
his own person 1t in the exercise OF these laws that
he imprisoned Colonel Caava his predecessor in Office and
as have thought rightfuly, Sir, do not wish to
see such powers concentrated in any official function
airy of this government in California New Mexico
elsewhere | told the Mexican laws would not allow
those laws nobody petends to know. Who has seen
book of the laws o. either Territory, in English or in
Splnsh' If they should allow the exercise Of such pow
desire the President have the power to restrain the
officers he appoints by suitable " rules and regulations
making those laws to harmonze with our constitution and
laws. ask the honorable senator from Connecticut Mr.
NLEs) which the best securl to our citizens IN Calf
forna and New Mexico, the amenabity of subordinate
officers exercising their discretion in the execution of Mex
laws there their restraint by rules and regulations
prescribed by the Executive here and superadded to IT. their
aenaby for any violation of those rules and reua
tons, and which all understand! Why, sir, this
amendment makes the President directly responsible to the
country for the rules and regulations he may make and also
for the administration of them by his officers Talk sir of
the despoism of President of the United States! No
such thing be; it is mpossbIly. The constitution
and laws of the United States protect from such despo
and by this amendment they will protect our citizens
in the new Territories If it could be supposed that
President would adopt any improper yranica rules and
regulations inconsistent with the constitution and laws of
the United States, they would be utilities And with
this shield would much submit to the danger OF
any espotc by him his officers than to the control
of officer acting under laws which to me, and most
likely him also, sealed book, and which might be
saed to subserve the most malicious purposes Hence IT
is that feel bound for the first amendment, and
the last. feel it be my duty to give the people
of California and New Mexico the shield and protection of
the federal constitution and of all its principles for the
clrty of life liberty, and property and the aid of our laws
to carry out those principles The first amendment does
this and ha of the senator from New Jersey merely pro-
vdts for the appointment Of officers to execute the Next
can laws without modification change adapt them
the new order of things there.
Mr. President have idea that the amendment of the
senator from Wisconsin Mr. WALKER touches, or was In
tended anywse to touch interfere WITH the question of
slavery these territories. Indeed know not so IN
tended The amendment leaves the question where found
it. The issue of slavery slavery these territories
which the senator from Connecticut Mr. NILES says he Is
ready and which he anxious to meet Is not involved
| am eager for that contest do not how that
senator how any patriotic be- One that
favor this amendment is because it leaves that question to
be settled hereafter If Congress is attempt to set
tie by legislation, it is best to postpone the decision
to more suspicious period. BY doing is Civ
the true friends of the country and of the UDon
in all sections themselves to promote Cancellation
and harmony. Who does not at this time that the
portents omnous of dscord and danger This is
propious moment for calm and cool debeaton on this
subject The public mind is heated in both sections Poll
cans, especially, excited. We just over closely
contested presidential cleo on and in which this question
prominent and exciting topic ofdscusson Give time
and opportunity for all to cool lift to come at least put
the evil day aar off. Avoid it, Shun it. Postpone 1t.
Give time for and patriotism their sway
This the only effect of the first amendment 1t does
give the President to take slavery INTO the territories
If there exclude if it is there 1t passes
by the question entirely The President is given
thority in relation He cannot, under this law, change
the condition of things with respect to slavery IN anywse
If he should attempt IT. he would do wrong This is the
compromise and the only compromise the first amendment
offers aud it offered TO both sides and to all sides. 1t is
impartial The senator from Connecticut ects it. He is
armed ready for the quarrel Senator's called upon
to decide which Is the best repeat the vital ques
ton issue left unouched-s decision postponed
Neither party is preudced Sir, willing TO bear my
full of all the of the from Connecticut
upon this amendment and those anywse instrument
tai in It's being proposed.
The senator from Wisconsin Mr.. WALKERl did me the
honor show the sndment he intended to offer
after he had prepared and also to give that consideration
to suggestions made to induce him cmbody
of them in his draught and subsequently the hon
orable senator from Mississippi Mr. FooTE consulted me
with respect to the daughng of the proposition he made
and of which added to- incorporated in the
first amendment. The original draught of the amendmcn
of the senator from Wisconsin confined to the exten
sion of the laws, and believe the land laws tt
the territories and the appointment of officers under them
The including of all other general laws and the authority
to make rules and regulations, regarded the ion
porta,t matter have listened to all the OBJ sctions urget
against tho propositions of the from Wsconsir
and Mississippi and my judgment to their wisdom, pat
riotlsm, and wise policy has been confirmed.
Sir do not hesitate, Southern SENATOR TO say her
my place that regard the pOsponcment of the decision
OF this slavery question at this session much pro
ptious to the perpetuy of this Union than its decision
,ray could be at this session. such decision could
made advocate this amendment distinctly on that ground
decision by Congress- if in favor of the South thi
session. have appehensons would not be peaceaby
escd the present of excited feeling this
Jet the other sections The public mind is fear dis
eased with respect TO it. Such decision would be
by fanatics aud demagogues, who the enemies of tn
South carry their unpaotic, if treasonabl
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