The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-22

mainly responsible for that acqusition-who would
not conclude that unless the territory was acquired
with II as an indemnify for the warl would ask them
North and South especially, whether they were not
duly warned again and again that they did persist IN te
acquisition of this territory, the ordinance OF 1857 would
be extended over Were they not warned IN the most
solemn manner by repeated resolves OF STATES oil the
North, that discord would follow that acquisition DID
not gentlemen go obstlnately and perseyerIngiy
mean no unkindness with regard 10 any. | only call
upon them TO remember their responsibility to their
country do not say whether they right wrong
think, when the county has been once aegaired by
the voice OF majority OF the nation, IN the Executive
and both Houses OF Congress, that PATRIOTISM forbear-
ance, compromise, moderation, which ought TO charac-
erize and must characterize this people if be united
ought to prevail When they had this warning, it
had no effect. will not make question whether
they osght to withdraw il. This is question for
them. Patriotism and philanthropy demand that they
should withdraw it. They to be judges OF their
own conduct do not mean 10 pass this question.
want to call the attention of honorable senators to this
point. Who is TO be responsble' The great democratic
party of these United Siaies They brought into this
war-lnsty II you please: but no matter now that is
past The great democratic party OF the United States
brought us INTO tie and would not terminate with
out this acquisition. Warned of what would be the
sequences, they persisted in it, They closed their in
respects quite the reverse And 10 give prominence to
the brliancy of the gem in the OF aurels they
claim for themselves, the trophy can only be set by
their closing up forever, the breach which they have
probably made in this Union Let them think OF that;
not only here but carry 1t home with them. ask the
party in power nowsoon to retire from It, under deep
OOlIgallOnS II please Oh
future success bound by stronger principles than any mem
Der OF the wing party can beto close mp this gull before
they resign the reins power Will help you care not
where the patronage goes will help you heal up these
wounds. act, trust upon no party grounds whatever
Take the patronage and altake the gory or if it by
their instrumenalty that it is settled theirs shall be the
glory of the acquisition and settlement, OF every question
connected with it. What will be their character and
condition they leave it, by their neglect by their OPP
position upon any grounds other than those great and
this Union leave it to them TO determine all these
questions Then Mr. President, let remind the
honorable senators further, in relation to this sub
ect~I put it to The candor OF al--if we neglect to
pass any at this session. that is calculated
to be efhcaclous, when is it proposed 70 be done
At the next session. Why, sir we know from the IN
trinsc difficulties, that anything is to be done, will
probably be its close Then, sir before that
be adop,edoefore 1t be made to take effect
in California New Mexico, how many months Will
have passed. Two years will have passed, Mr. Pres
dent before any act be passed which will probably
have any effect And leave 10 the imag nations OF
honorable gentlemen all sides TO conceive II they
can the igntude of the evils, the extent OF the disas
which may beia the inhabitants OF that country, and
all the time still more enangling US in these diihcues
leave 1t to them II the ycan to imagine the consequences
and leave it TO them 10 reflect in their retirement, on
the degree of censure and obloqny which viii be called
down upon own heads throughout the civilized world
these ancpations OF great disasters shall prove true
have another idea. | do not know what effect It
may have on the minds of others, but | think it Is
to be lamenied that any idea should go abroad ana
take hold OF the minds of men lii any quarter that
have reached the full term of our PEACEFUL harmo
NOUS operations, in carrying into execution that yaunt
ell and cherished scheme OF ours OF national Union
founded upon Local soveeIgntles, or that any
idea should abroad that there exists any vice or detect
in system, either political social which can check
up and onward progress in the accomplishment
of our high desnyany idea, sir, that we have reached
the highest point of prosperity and glory think this Is
be deeply lameatel Bat. sir, that such specuations
are abrDal. do know. If postpone therefore, the
adoption OF any measure Tor the protection oil the
inhabitants OF that territory, under the Obligations
which we are under to do 1t, at the present SEES
fha lx,Iil knn tha
we postpone it The idea is, that we have reached
barrier in our progress which cannot snrmount the
sun of our prosperity has already reached It's merdan
| and must hasten towards its setting That is the
idea And If postpone under such stances,
why, sir these specua,ions will be turned into firm be-
Lief IN the minds Of thousands We know perfectly well
that these visionary illusions have, perhaps,
some doabt myself whether we have not reached that
point We that personal ambition in one section OF
The Union, combining with blind fanaticism, is rapidly
tending to the formation OF parties upon sectional feelings
That they may become formidable to the interests of the
country cannot be disguised no matter who attempts to
varnsh 1t over Sir that question connected with this
subject anything but national in its characterforelgn to
every idea of general weare-s suffered to hang like a
milestone around the neck OF sound politics, mngling
with everything, mixing with the sweet milk OF concord,
turning into the acrd OF domestic strife is deeply
to be regretted We know it is painful, but
can deny it. Sir, IT is under these circumstances that
our great leaders-lhOse who accustomed to lead
in this matter, not only in this hail. but throughout
the counlry--those who have been looked up 10 as
the proper guldes-what do they do' Some stand
gloomiy aside; others stand watchiul; but they all
stand back and, whether they IL or out OF this
hall, having great prestige and character at home,
| lock their counsels in their bosoms, bringing forward
and Offering project, giving no advice when the very
foundations upon which our great empire stands are
! being gradually and slowly undermined. Some senators
opposing this proposition upon grounds OF order
| propriety, and parliamentary practice. Others are con-
sderng whether this is not lar field Tor the exercise
of party tactics, and whether they cannot turn over the
settlement OF these great questions TO the new admins
tration | say il is only some gentlemen who entertain
this feeling know the feeling exists TO considerable
| extent impute motives. am describing senators
| of the United States - American statesmen.
Well sir, grave gentlemen have said 1t can easily be
done at another session We shall have great
sion to our councils hen-o the strength of this body
| One is coming who is TO calm the waves OF political
strife have heard ii said i Improperly. Sir
! | have as high esteem for that gentleman as any
i other but, sir, may he not come too late II
there be any truth in the argument which have at
tempted to place before the Senate It will be toe
late when that spell is sought to be placed upon the
| Senate The disaster will have occurred--thc dlth
cutes accumulated such degree that earthly power
can control them without such sacrifices revolt
| ing to humanity. But, sir, what an deawkat an argu
men to be suggested to American senatofs, privately OF
publicly! Sir trust that there is wisdom, patriotism
now here to meet this question in all it, aspects mean
| to compose these diifcucs-to still these troubled
waters Sir. in great exlgency like the present. any
device eypedent allowable by the constitution may be
properly resorted TO.
/ Slus pubiica suprema ler Sir while we have the
| constitutional power If have the disposition, we can
settle this question now, and orever-we can compose
these distractions. | say we may well dispense win
all mere legislative forms, observing only the para
noun, authority OF the constitution; and 1t is ouI
| boundcn duty, in my judgment, to do so. re-
member a great instance OF the country from when