The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-11

sunshine. The hope OF the patriot revived, he
thought he the night retire. which hung like funeral
pail over political horizon. Such is brief history
Of that bill.
embodied The North contended that they had the right
TO extend the Wmol proviso the territories of the
United States, and that IT the imperative duty OF
Congress TO dolt The South soemny denied and pro-
tested against the exercise Of such power This bill
yielded that question on the part of the North and i'm
posed Congress the duty of interference That is
all which the South has ever asked and, far, il was
point oil concession TO our demand. Again: Many
OF northern friends insisted that the inhabitants Of
territories possess the right to restrict slavery within their
limits oul me South denied tins position and the bill pro-
hbed the Territorial legislature from passing any law
speeding the prohibition establishment of African sla
very This was the second point of concession made by
the North. The North insisted on ratfyng and confirm
ing The provisional laws OF Oregon one of which prohb
tied slavery The South denied the power of Congress
TO do thus The bill declared that they should continue
in force only until three months after the first meeting of
the territorial legislature. This the third point of
concession yielded by the North These questions being
settled positively by the BILL the controversy between the
North and the South ed down to a single point
and that whether, under the guarantees of the con-
stuton and laws of the United States the citizens of the
South possess the right to their slaves into
rorles? We maintained the affirmative and the North
the negative OF this proposition and not being able to
10 any agreement which would result in satisfactory
legislation both parties by the thirty first section of the
BILL consented to submit it to the adjudication of the
Supreme Court of the United States Ii the consultation
does guaranty rights, contend, the would
certainly decide II il does not for one say we ought
TO insist on IT. The constitution bond of union
avn content with its guarantees will never knowingly
demand anything from confederaes which it does
Justify and sustain. The Supreme Court established
for the very purpose Of giving it authoritative nierpel
ton; and as lover OF the Union, am willing 10 abide
It's solemn decisions
One remark more on this point 1t is evident that this
question between the North and the South be either
political or Judicial question Ii we attempt settle
il in Congress- we make political; if we refer 10 the
did man OF the South tQsay whether it is not safer for
TO refer the court If we refer it to Congress- as it
is now, is likely TO be hereafter constituted will, it
must be decided against u.s. for there is large majority
OF Wllm0t prOviso the House OF Representatives
and the Senate will fear, very yield TO the grow
Ing popularity of this pestiterous measure. But if we
submit II to the adjudication of the Supreme Court, |
should entertain fear of unfavorable decision
Truth, justice, principle, and argument all
side.
These considerations recommended this bill to the fa
vo of the Senate; and. after full debate it passed this
body by majority of three fths 1t left the slave ques
ton where the trainers of the constitution left t-where
the constitution itself leaves it. This the great lead
ing feature OF this bill.
Having passed the Senate, under circumstances i'm
resve it was transmitted to the House of Representa-
lives Tor their concurrence But there was one bright
particular star, clustered round by paer satellites
whose blended lnsre, gancng through the gloom of IL
which shrOuded the ntelects of the poor be-
nishted Senate, discovered to the world that
render OF the rights of the Sou,h-a surrender COVERT,
but mo less complete and absolute"-and that so far
from being compromise bll,' it mig Git be prop
ery entitled articles of Capltnlaon the part OF the
South And without any effort TO amend its Imperfect
TONS If 1t had them, without permitting the usual refer
to committee, upon motion which cut OIL all de-
bate and excluded all vindcaon by lis friends, this
offspring of patriotic elaboration and enlightened states
manshp consigned to The grave without the ormal
ties Of respectful nerment By the OF Gig hit South
men, united with those of northern barnburners and
Wlmot Provisoists this proposition, which granted to
the South the benefits OF the constitution laid the
table Out OF one hundred and thirty votes in
the House OF Representatives from the free States there
were but nineteen who, that occasion, showed, by
their votes that they were willing to allow the South the
OF the LOOkInr then the
estng history of that BILL the prominent feature which it
embodied and its fate in the popular branch of Congress-
was not surprised at the announcement OF the senator
from New Jersey Mr. DAYroN] that, if had the right
TO extend the constitution New Mexico and California
"t would not be right, under existing circumstances,
TO do Sir, il this sentiment which defeated that
compromise BILL and in my Judgment inflicted heavy
wound upon the South. What has been the conse-
qaence? 1t has prevented southern emigration to Cali
lorna Under the apprehension that they could not
~ their slaves with them citizens OF the southern States
have not gone there and the northern States eaping
the benefits OF the gold mines Their people are fockng
there by thousands and will obtain so thoroughly the
control OF that country in short time, that they will for
ever exclude slavery; whereas, the compromise bill
had passed would have opened the door for southern
emigration. Our people would have gone there. They
would have participated in the benefits Of working the
Mines and have been fairly represented in the organza
tories If to this inesmable loss the South be added
the agtaon and heartburnng, and local strife which
have succeeded the defeat of that measure but fill
The mind OF the patriot with the most painful aPprehen
sons.
therefore cheerfully support this amendment. | sup
port for the that the duty of Congress TO
extend the protection of law to recently acquired
territories. support il because it combines those ele-
ments which suited TO the present emergency sup
port because it extends them the constitution and
laws OF the United States. Less than this amendment
conemplaes ought not to do more, fear we can
not do doubt any other proposition will receive the
support OF both houses OF Congress, and Is not very
certain that this will.
Mr. President we have three alternatives before
We must either adopt this amendment, we must pass
the territorial bill which has been sent by the House,
we must admit these territories as State or States
into the Union Immediately. II we do neither OF these
things, then must leave California and New Mexico
TO the horrors of anarchy.
If could choose between this amendment and we'll
dgested territorial bill, should certainly prefer the lat
Ter 1t III accordance with the usage OF our gov
eminent; and it would allow to the people greater ati-
Jude IN the exercise and enjoyment OF those great prlnci
pies OF republican liberty which recognised by our
constitution But who does not know that the passage OF
such territorial bill at this late period of the session IS
impossible! Besides, there is probability that any
m which would be acceptable to the South could pass
both branches of Congress The which has been sent
Us from the House contains the Wmo Provlso; and II
We were to strike out, is very certain that they would
not in the amendment Hence, an acceptable ter
IloIal bill al this session is out of the question.
lbe only other alternative before rs TO bring these
territories into the Union Immediately. To accom-
push this object two methods have been proposed The
one, by the senator from Tennessee, Mr. BELL rs TO
merge the whole territory of New Mexico and California
INTO one State and the other by the senator from lili-
nos, Mr. DouGLAs,1 the chairman OF select com
milee, proposes to divide them into two States admit
one immediately and the other prospectively. To both
these propositions am present nfexiby opposed The
ioner however, has been rejected and therefore shall
io' attempt TO expose its dement's. Nor shall discuss
The question at length the power of Congress TO