Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1849-02-15
CONFESSIONAL.
Thirtieth COngress-2d. session

WAsHlsGToN, Jan. "a, lS49.
Mr.. Douglass, substitute for his original bill
for the admission OF California as an independent
state into the Union. came up to day in the Sen.
ate, and produced a very hsppy impression. The
bill provides:
1st That Congress give its assent 10 the cons
ing in OF California as State OF this Union, from
and after the 4th OF July next.
I'd. That the acting Governor Of tho territory
in the meantime call convention for tho pur.
pose OF framing a constitution and establishing
State government
3d. That the laws OF the United States be ex
tended over it. and the State be allowed one Reps
resentalive in Congress. (of course independent
OF two Senaors.)
The bill in the present aspect is tho only ma.
lional compromise that can be agreed on between
the north and south during this session. The ques.
ion OF slavery in the new territories will never
bs settled BY caucusses exparte decisions OF con-
vsntions. end abstract declaration OF faith or
parado1iss; i. can only be settled BY wise and
practical legislation, which she'll sdmi OF an his
toricsl solution OF the probl m in tho course OF
time, and as the result oil the peculiar circunstsn.
ces OF the case. States ann empires have, like
individuals, an historical generation, birth, growth
and decline. which it is the business OF statesmen
to consider. il they would lay claim to moro than
mere doc,rinsl Prolsssonships on abstract guess
lions.
Mr. Douglass bill endeavored 10 eliminate
the question Of slavery from Congress; and in
this, | think, consists the chief merit OF the BILL
Let the question be settled by the people OF the
territory, and give them at once the privilege OF
doing SO, as, in the view Of the fact that emgra
ton is pouring in from all quarters of the Union
it is evident that they will have right 10 demand
it in less than a year.
The reference OF The bill to selec. committee
OF seven, to be appointed by the President of the
Senale was very nppropos and felcitous. Mr.
Dallas's devotion to the whole county. his free
dom from all sectional prejudices, and his sound
Judgment. are well known, and have at no time
been better appreciated Than now, so that the ap
ponlment OF the committee come with particular
grace from the Vice President OF tho Union. -
The views Of the members OF the committee
are we'll balanced, and better constellation OF
sensible men could scarcely have been selected.
The state Of MIR. Calhoun's health required that
he should not be taxed with fresh labor.
The Tehuantepec canal or railroad is gains
ing ground. and is gradually eclipsng The Pans
anna scheme. The Tehuantepsc road is nearer
TO US, it runs through neighbors territory, who
in ell probability, will make US his heir, and the
projectors Of the road have no idea Of demanding
FIVE millions OF dollars contribution from our
Government. The Mexican Government itself
has endowed the road with such liberal donations
in most delicious climate, that very little aid
will be required from our treasury, and the Mex
can Government is equally ready 10 grant US
the right OF way across the is,hmus.
Enterprises Of such great moment deserve
we'll that we should reflect on them, before we
decide in favor OF this or that project. At all
events, as long as our steamboats, do not depart
from and arrive regularly at Panama, il is hardly
worth while 10 engage the faith OF The Govern
ment to the amount OF so many millions, to save
a few hours in the transit across The slhmus. IL
would be far better 10 travel on mules back
from Chsgres TO Panama, and there 10 find YES.
sells ready 10 sail north, than 10 start all "phiz
'ohiz, tchoo, tchoo," by steam from Chsgres 10
Panama, and, then to remain there a month
before meeting with an opportunity to 90 10 San
Francisco. X