The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-21


into considerations then the nature of the present popa
ation OF California and the designs of those about emil
grating to that country, the apprehension may very justly
be entertained that great disorders will and anarchy
and confusion in society prevail if the lives and property
OF the citizens there be not secured by necessary laws
These are strong considerations, Mr. President, 10 I'M
mediate acton upon this question: every must see
Every senator IS aware that if do not upon any
thing at this time, there is no probability that at any
future period any different course of policy will be resort
ell 10 IN order 10 effect the purposes of government in
laon TO this question They can be effected in other
way. No measure can be brought forward which will
not be liable TO great objections and such objections too,
as, in the minds Of many honorable senators, will be
garded as decisive and Of great weight In addition to
that considerations there is the further that deferred
action upon this subject will but augment the evil pro-
posed to be remeded II il were in NV power 10 know
the result al which should arrive during the next
few days OF the session upon this question, and |
should discover that no proposition final and satsiac,
think IT wise and expedient, and should be serious
ly disposed to refrain from pressing the subject
upon the consideration OF the Senate, because such
action my part would but tend to evil results in
Stunning the time OF the Senate unnecessarily and in
citing angry feelings between those persons who take
different views OF the question at issue If the propos
ton exciting the discussion failed to receive decisive and
affirmative action, could hardly result otherwise than
in increasing the difficulties OF future agreement and ac-
comno atlon upon the questions involved in it. Every
renewal of unpleasant controversy that has not been
eectuay adjusted, tends to increase the bitterness Of
feeling existing between the anagonistc parties and to
extend the breach that has been created instead OF d.
IT, Ii.
is that have come TO the conclusion that do not con
slider il nperatvely and absolutely the duty OF the Con
gress of the United States to consider this subject fully
and efectualy, until they shall have inquired little
further to preliminary Observation-Disclosures there
any absolute certainty that disorders will arise in Cali
fornia; and whether forced by the existing sent
meni throughout the Union to put i'll force some proper
government for this territory!
Mr. FOOTE, lin his seat) They have done So
Mr. BELL. They have done 50, bu, not to any great
extent Has due consideration been given to the dis
orders that have arisen within the last twelve eighteen
months in that country, or Of those OF disorder
and anarchy that probably will arise in the future if no
efficient system OF government is established there Look
at the vast interests pubic and private, involved in the
settlement of this question at this time Are not the
peace and quiet of the country and the property and
lives of the citizens in California in jeopardy al this
very moment' Something be done to give protec-
lion to this people, as is well remarked by the senator
from Rhode Island near me- Mr. CLARKE.l II there
disorder at present prevailing California, or II
there prospect of outbreaks OF violence and an
archy there, then there would be necessity for
mediate action upon the subect and, under the peculiar
circumstances in which at present placed, we
would be justified in posponng the examination OF this
question to a more convenient season. season more In
conformity with the views of honorable senator's
Mr.. President with the indulgence of the Senate |
will endeavor to prove the correctness of the arguments
have advanced upon this subject in private CONVERSE
ton with honorable nbers with reference to the i'm
porance of providing immediate remedy for the pres
dso'ered state OF society California, and OF avert
ing the dangers that will result to the public interests of
the country if action is postponed will endeavor to be
the argument presented, that although there
great number of awless adventures now in California,
in progress of emigration there--which must be so
from the very nature of things there another class
OF and soberhinkng men, educated
and moulded in conformity to the habits OF a law
abiding people who are going there; and that this
sound portion Of the community will be bound to.
gether by The great social and political bonds of
tual interest, and consequently will correct these evils
themselves in other words, that they are to act upon
the principle that If disorders do arise, it is not wise
Ia hastp OF
in anticipation OF evils which may exist or ii they
do exist but limited and ring in their character.
Let the elements of society have time to settle down
and become fused into harmony and proportion Let these
evils operate and upon their orginaors and they
will provide their cure and if this should not be the
result of posponement of affirmative action on our part
why. then we can take up the subject and act upon
it. This, sir, is the whole OF the argument advanced
in support of the postponement OF decisive action upon
this supposed of mutual interest and the necessity
of all discreet persons In California forming govern
nen and entering into voluntary combination for them
selves to act in short like The people OF Oregon, who,
under circumstances altogether dissmiar, when the
of the United States neglected to provide
government for them, organized provisional govern
men Tor themselves, winch we know is not uncommon
in long settled communities placed in such circumstances
Suppose, sir disorders should arse murders and other
acts of violence persons and property be committed
and that popular disturbances, to great extent should
break out Gentlemen say that this is than what
happens in the old established cities and communities OF
the Union and that the best class of population often
umeS becomes injected Win the OF ulSOruer ana
that taking these things into consideration, these dsor
ders real supposed. not so great or worthy OF at
tenton to require at our hands the immediate adoption
OF measure liable to lead 10 much controversy the
presented here.
That is one of the grounds And again, with regard
to the public property. Why, say these gentlemen, no
government could adopt could prevent the public do
main from the universal pilage that is goiny agree
with that 1t is true that my friend, the senator from
louisiana suggested some time SINCE as well remem
Der, that Notwithstanding this might be So II we delayed
too long to exercise the sovereignty over this territory,
they might think proper to go OFT and sever the empire.
For one beg leave to say here, in the outset of my
marks, that, although that is one of the arguments
thrown out in the preliminary discussion, such an
idea would give no alarm whatever-the idea
Of the people of California and New Mexico going
off and forming separate government and declaring
their independence of the United States am not
convert Mr. President to the theory that this govern
men can spread its dominions and sovereignty indet
nely to extent, and still operate wisely and benef-
Gently | am not SO fascinated with the idea of
glory connected with extent of territorial dominion
other gentlemen regardless of all other consldera
tons connected with the policy OF government.
Mr. President, my observations OF course limited
to the mare period OF my own life. But my realing upon
this subject and my experience, as tar as that ex
perience goes, teaches that while those States which
are so large at defiance all foreign powers main
tain their rights against other nations of the world, the
smaller States maintain WISER more beneicent. more
Administrations both at home and abroad My obser
vatons and reading conduct the conclusion that just
in proportion any State snarscs her territory or her
power-whether it be republican nation like own,
or any other form OF government, the result is the
snmejust in that proportion do they become wise,
es,s in their confederacy And in the natural
of things, unless the nature of be changed
unless personal ambition, Cupdity, and the other pas
sions of men cease to have sway-unless there IS