The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-31
S p e e G n E S
Meeting Held in Portsmouth Square,
San Francisco,
The ORGANIZATION OF A STATE GOVERNMENT.
OF THE

of that territory could not be surpassed but thew
were as nothing compared to what California had to
complain Of But for the love bore our common
country and glorious Union the people this territory
would throw Oft all connection with the United States
and they would be justified in the eyes Of all natons
for, said he, our wrongs grievous than wsre
these OF the American colonies which Deca
and rather than submit to it. they drew
the sword threw away the scabbard, aud fought for
provided by the mother country with local
and legal tribunals Here have noae Of these; we
are taxed without being represented and left without
laws, or any form Of civil government. This
cident but fixed design prrsevered in for sessions
of Congress. He continued in this strain comment
on the action, or rather want of action, on the
part Of Congress for time and then expressed
himself in favor Of State government. and pledged
himself to all the Influence he possessed favor of
speedy meeting of the convention.
(This gentleman is prominent man in this country,
has lived a long time in Oregon where he was Judge.
but came here with the gold fever ana has become a
permanent citizen and will hold high position in
Judge Burnett the close of his speech
The Honorable T. Burura KING. a member Of
Congress from Georgia He expressed his thanks for
the high honor conferred upon MIN in calling on him
to address 50 important meeting Of the people who
sustain the movement in favor of a state government
He compmented tine people Of San Francisco on the
hospitality they extended them; spoke Of
the beautiful bay before him which would have
the 6ags Of all nations floating upon it He said he
was delighted with this country, about which he had
written much and thought more Mr. King unfortu-
natey felt himself called by the severe remarks
ofJudge Burnett in denunciation Of Congress- to take
up the defence Of that body, which evidently not
mis- intention when he arrived at the meeting He went
into history Of the division that unhappy
lists in the United States the slavery question and
explained the Wlmot proviso He then proceeded In
eloquent manner to appeal to the people Of Caor-
mia to settle that question for by forming State
government Said be, cannot settle it the other
side Of the Rocky must be settled here.
The North man in favor Of the Wilmot pro-
viso; the South equally unanimous sganstit There
fifteen slave and fifteen free States and the the
question will be equal in the Senate The South
willing to leave the question Of slavery to you to settle
itn your own country your own way but the Northern
members considered themselves instructed by public
sentiment At home to attach the Wiimot proviso to
every bill brought forward provide government
this territory Thus Congress paralyzed and will
be until you tale the question from their hands and
settle it. With the North it Is sentimentwith the
South point Of honor; and those Of you who ia
miiiar with the history Of the Pilgrim fathers who land
ed the rock OF Ply and the Cavaliers who set
give up positions taken with such liberalization
We lock to you to settle the question by becoming
State The people Of the old States ardsntly desire it,
~ speak kno~ingty when e desire 1t;
and Tith the mebers of the last
Congress am eonrneed they are most anrious for The
question to De settled in this way Yoa mill hare diff
Guilty in being ado,tfed Safe pledge mysey TO 1t,
and pledge the characterization and think may speak equal
~ confidently for the nexs Congress Form state govern
inent, send your senators and tatves and
then admission is certain You had representation in
that body. Immense appropriations have to be- made
for public purposes here MILLIONS Vt dollars will be
readily voted by Congress for pubic buildings aud
i'm prove your rivers and barbors. Y.u should have
for their expenditure" lie then ted In play
full mood for some time upon Judge Burnetts deaunci
aions OF congress for passing the b extending
nue. laws over this country esaid ncle Sam had paid
twenty millions Of dollars Ter the country He
formed by the collector that the amounted
about hundred thous and dollars month just six per
cent upon the purcbae money pad and whsn the mil
lions that would BE- paid out IN appropriations taken
into consideration the government was likely to BE-
loser far dollars aud But that
did not weigh feather with tn. government. 1t was
that great bay which would command tue trade Of the
Pacific, that caused the purchase Of the country IL
the country had been barren waste the government
would have paid the same TO secure this hsrbor He
then alluded eloquent to tn. resources
OF the country, and its future destiny-said would
have ralro ed from the great OF
waters to this bay, that within ten years we would 90
In Elk days to ST. Louis sleeping all the way and in
eight to New York and In eight minutes In less than
ten years. We would through the lightning rods talk
with our br. thren on tn. Atlantic ocesu He closed
with flowing enlogy on the flag of country, which
was hung auft In tue square where the
eemblcd my sketch OF ar King speech Is perfect
from the fact that was croSdcd aud unpleasauy
more comfortable Afterwards
JuDoE bARRr. member OF the bar from Louisiana
attempted TO amend the resolutions by inserting Gen.
Reys plan; but 1t was def. ated by u large IN sorty
The crowd weuld not listen t. his remarks nor those
81 Gen Morse, from the same State favor VI Gen.
heiy's plan, but would have one VI their
The Hon. WILLIAM NJ. Gwis. formerly a member Of
Congress from Mississippi then addressed the meeting
After compiimentipg King Tor his real In favor Of
the Atlantic hip mail line aud for having been
friendly TO the Interests " this territory he said But
l. MIR President and irloE citizens occupy a different
position from that gentleman lie Is = member of
Congress elect from Of the States Of the pOn and
can advise but upon us re'ts the responsibility Of
acting am here like yourselves q citizen Of cali-
forpia. When left my nome the other side Of the
R,cty Mountains and turned my face to the West 1t
was with the hxed animation To spend the balance
otmy lie In this country aud irm that deter mination
have never s~erved for a moment. Believing as 4
INN aid and stiil do that California psssesses salu
brious clinai unsurpassed by auy portion OF the
United States rich soil, great commercial advan-
tages and mineral that justly the wonder
OF the world know 81 no potion 81 the globe where
the great e Of happiness aud prosperity
so certainly secured aud enjoyed Entertaining these
views, | feel the Responsibility that every citizen
should 81 every word which may fall from this
occasion that Dsy influences the future
destiny OF this county hat we do nov, if badly
done may retard our prosperity for years. but we'll
done cur giant steps t. greatness and power will DO
speedy ard sure. The failure of Congress TO provide
tsrrt rial government for California renders neas
isary to establish permanent late governusnt We
have no Other alternative unless we submit TO the pre-
sent nissrahl. state Of affairs there T. legal
fail back the condition Of the savage
where might right. IL expect enjoy the
privileges transmitted 10 us by ancestors, must
follow the example Of those ANCESTOR aud secure our
liberties by constitutional restriotion aud ths enact
nent Of statute Of Laws We are par ~ the great
American linton; ~ the rights % American citizens
under the corstuio have not been aud cannot be
deprived but by der.iiction Of duty the part O.
Congress have not the shield snc protection u the
laws OF the country and To- these must form
State government and put Ourselves under the restc
tions and protection u the laws In regard to the
Of laws proposed TO be enforced IN the acting
Governors proclamation, will not tay w~rd. but
he has exhibited prssewortby siacriy IA giving the
wight q hts and the iuhn 81 hts Oies, In
favor Of the formation Of a State government. for
which he deserves thanks. the piap proposed by
him H. not the best that could b. 1~vi-ed On the
contrary, H. very detective. aud mdst be changed.
But IL is n plan which. When atseDdrd. NJ earned
out will be effective, and accomplish the object
we all ought to have at h.ait. have listened
with attention TO what the di.tingu gentleman
from Georgia has said OF the certainty OF our adj
missson as State. by the next Congress. Although
my desires are ~ great as his. my hop-s not so
strong II We Judge BY the past wii have to ps.s
through duous struggle before pba xhs
from that body. Governed by a spirit Of fanaticsm,
the most disreputable known to history Congress
has refused during two sessions 10 give any fIrm IL
government, when every fesing that could inhueucs
patriotic representative Required them tue
constitution ana lave over tbe country California
.cuped peculiar position. w. naJ Jtist been tacred
sbd then purchased ~ exec H. seopie kuew
thing of the purchase and GOT nited the
terms OF the treaty IL peace thty we're guaranteed,
1t H. true in the aud prise ~ american cit
gems; Yet every ,6ort VnAfs-s 60 secure them
those rights aud privileges Ia b.en seaiy aud sue
u - IL -.