The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-03-31

MS government unlll HOW, tucIe RIVER
has been time when it was more necessa
ry that we should carefully consider these
parting words of warning and advice. TIE
.ssusplcion that the Union may be abandon.
ed'' has already been entertained; and i,
though cannot say that the bill of the
chairman OF the Com nltts9 on Territories
becomes law that ahand onment will take
place, yeti do believe, il will prove hui,
full source of Il ificuy and dissension, aud
what will tie Union he worth When the
parts are sundered in feeling: and the ci'l-
zens of the North and the citizens of the
South entertain for each other mutual feel
ings of haired and i'll will!
I believe tlat the substitute Of the gentle
mau from Virginia will in great measure,
if not altogether, heal these dIssensons, il
is correct in theory, it appeals 10 the great
principle of popular sovereignty, and leaves
the people to choose for themselves those
Institutions under which they desire to live;
il is because of this that, notwithstanding
the oblect,o [ have made to il, shall
give i, my support: and yet confess that |
have no considerable expectation that ii
will pass this body. Nolwilhs anding the
people Of California, or at least of portion
OF it, have expressed their desire that slave
ry should not be introduced into those Ter
ritofies, and though there is every prooabl
ity that this bill, if such be the fact, would
result in the creation of one immense free
State, | say, Notwithstanding this, have
no confidence that certain northern gentle
med will give this conservative measure
their support
Here hIr. MEADE and Mr. VENABLE inter
posed, and remarked that they understood
tina; expression of opinion to have come
from the poop lie Of New Mexico, and not
from those Of California.
Mr.. Evans continuing said, that, even if
that were The case, New Mexico was ems
bracel in this substitute, but unless he
We're greatly mistaken, and without being
entirely positive, he was quite sure that he
was not in error in making the assertion
that the people Of California, or portion
of them, had done the same thing. We'll
remember (he sadly the remark able debate
which sprung up in the other end OF the
Capitol upon the petition Of the people of
New Mexico, and therefore 7 cannot have
COMPOUNDED with il that Of the Callfornians
The effect, then; of the substitute mi ght be
10 make This territory free; but, sir, do not
believe that single supporter will be
found for it on dat account. II it should
fail, intend 10 offer as temporary meas
ure a substitute Of my own, which is as fol-
lows:
al. BE II enacted By the Senate and House Of
Representatives. cfhe United States Of .9merca in
Congress assembled, That, until the end of tho
first session of the next Congress- II and sngrl-
lar the acts ofCongress with respect 10 trade and
intercourse with Che Indian tribes, and all acts
with regard to the snrvey and disposition Of the
p uhlic lands, are extended over the territory
acquired from Mexico by the trea ty of the sec
ond Of February. eighteen hundred and forty
eight. and al aud singular the military, civil,
and ir!G cal powers exercised by the officers of
the existing government of the same territory
shall be vested n such person or persons, and
sha. oc exercised in sucn manner, as the Pres
ident of the United States shall direct, Tor the
maintaining the inhabitants of sa, territory in
the free enjoyment Of their liberty property, and
religion.
"sEc. @ And be it further enacted, That, in
order to maintain the authority tie United
States, and preserve peace and order in 81 id ter
ritory, the President Of the United States be,
and he is hereby authorized 10 employ sucl, part
of the land and naval forces Ofthe United States
as he may deem necessary: Prorided, nevertheless.
That martial law shall! not he proc laimed or de-
clared in said territory, nor any military court
established or instituted, except ordinary courts
mar tial, for the trial of persons Belonging to the
army and navy of the United States.
| SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That the
sum Of one hundred thousand dollars be- and the
same is hereby, appropriated for the purpos, OF
carrying these prov sions into effect, ~ bs paid
out of any moneys in the Treasury not other-
wise appropriated
And ! offer it because believe that we
i a'e bound BY every consideration Of Justice
and by our own solemn oa,hs, To provide
these people with some COVE rnmes,,, miles.
by so doing we should create more dissen'
sion and anarchy al home than now exists
in California. This substitute is in all II.
essential features copy of the act Of tho
thirty first Of October, eighteen hunjre,
anh three, for the temporary government
of Louisiana. which We had acquired by III,
treaty of Paris Oh the ,hinieth Of April, il
The same year; and if the amendment o
the gentleman from Virginia should no,
prevail, ,rus, that my substitute may bt
adopted. rs to the bill Of tho chairman o
the Committee on Territories, 1t is p!air
ina, there is not the sl!sh'esl chance tina, ii
will become law al tins session of Con
stess, five days Of tho session alone re-
main, and the Senate has no, as yet passed
single one o.. the erealAppropriation bills
and if, Notwithstanding The fierce opposi.
tion with which it will meet at, the othe
end of this Capitol, ii should be adopted
by The body assembled there trust, Mr.
Chairman, that may aIIude to it wilhou
improprely-lhe President of the United
States has already informed us in advance