The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-10

should make it into such form would be
acceptable cannot now see, and 1 believe | never
shall see, any objection to passing a bill authorizing
The people OF the territory OF Californa-with what
ever boundary you please-to form constitution
and to saying-as in the OF louisiana Florida,
and many other territories whether acquired as foreign
territory notthat upon the formation of a consu-
ton they shall be admitted into the Union For these
could not the report of the majority
that the bill should be rejected. preferred to amend II
shall not, Mr. President, dwell upon all the points
ken in the report do not sir disagree with all the points
or the practice of the United States to admit territories
without constitution, without an organization of
some kind differ totally But do not pretend to enter
INTO discussion OF that subject II was disposed to do
so, the honorable from Illinois, Mr. DOUGLAS,
who has devoted much more attention to this subject
than myself would be better prepared to discuss the
then, Mr. President, differ in opinion from the
mttee to the main question whether this bill should be
presented or not differ from the report-whch never
heard until this mornngupon the main point that it is
not competent TO admit California into the Union as
State. until constitution has been formed and, sir
rose to state that should as as possible give the
reasons for my difference of opinion when the subject
up In order to bring the point before the Senate
shall lay resolution the table substitute for
that reported by the committee and ask that be printed
MIR d. then sent to the Chair resolution, which the
reporter could not obtain but which was understood TO
declare that 1t is competent expedient and not nconsis
with the practice of the gov ernmen TO
admit States into the Union without having written
constitution; and instrucng the Committee on the Judi
cIay to report bill for the admission into the Unon as
summit Of tie Sierra Nevada California mountains
There is point to which wish very briefly TO adj
vert. | concur with the gentleman from Illinois. MIR
DoUGLAs] who has eoquently addressed the Senate
that this is an important subject i doubt very much
whether, after all this discussion, there will be anything
done satisfactory 10 one quarter OF the Union or another
| have serious, unhappy forebolings resting upon my
mind upon this subject It is difficult for to despair
Of the republic. 1t is difficult give up the dea but
have strong and serious doubt, every day increasing
these forebodings see, sir, cloud coming and see
1t afar of see tie position in which my section of the
country must stand when it does When it is de-
cided what shall do, the South will do il as
While am in this situation, MIR. President, wish my
position and the position OF my section to be understood
wish II not to be left matter OF doubt but to be so
in thus crisis when the different interests OF the different
sections OF country threaten to come into collision,
may have the consolation to know that have not been
partial to this any other schemes but have accorded
ch9eriuly every plan proposed here which seemed to
Enable, fair and proper for the settlement of this
great question lnregard to this proposition too for
think sir, that there would be better time for this step
thought that it mig terminate happily; and felt to
be my duty it my wish, to exhaust all plans of
compromise, and not to organize Territorial govern
m INT until we have tried every other means, before
have whether the question he settled not
For these reasons sir notwithstanding the great Difficult
ties in the way, thought it best not to despair OF the
formation of State government, but make the best
of everything until we have presented the case fairly
That is not the only question involved Mr. President
IN the measure now before the Senate The country OF
California is in an extraordinary position. recoect
very WE'LL all must recolect the action OF the SEN
ate upon the subject OF bringing States into this Union
was agreed TO by ALL that certain state of probation
necessary before bringing them in. But an extra
ordinary event has taken place, and is taking place
every day in reference to this territory There has been
extraordinary influx Of American people into Califor.
MIA, which nobody anticipated at the time, and the
tent of which nobody can calculate now. Long before
the actionf the Congress Of the United States reach
there that population of American citizens in California
intelligent enterpr sing and talented, will be able make
government for themselves there. Tney there whOua
legal government perhaps without any government at all
Tor think is veyd abtfu now, sir, whether the mill
tay authority there has not fallen to pieces before this
time They perhaps, in state OF anarchy and
fusion. II it DC so, sir and # Congress negecs to do
anything put end to this anarchy at this session.
two years must pass away before it be done. Ist
probable, is possible, that anarchy should exist there
for so long time, and that they should not organize
government for themselves! And if they do organize
government, have supposed, after having made
government for themselves, settled the country and set
mp institutions for themselves, will they think that it
would be desirable for them to go back to the government
which has neglected them long, and 10 become part
of our confederation think there is much involved in
this question: not merely as question OF expeliency
whether shall admit them or not, but whether
shall lose all that fine country and all It's gold entire
y, for there is danger OF it.
These are some OF the reasons, Mr. President, why
differ from the majority OF the committee their report
and have stated them very briefly. These some of
the reasons why differ from the reasoning OF the re-
port. But will not enter further into the subject at
present. may do SO, at proper time: In the mean
iime will ask that the resolution which 1 offer be
printed for the use of the Senate.
Mr. BUTLER. Mr.. President this debate has been
wholly unexpected me- and consider it entirely out of
order, 1t is certainly not in conformity with para-
menary usage or with the practice OF this body so far
as can understand it. And, sir, shall certainly not
10 low what | regard irregular precedent, by going
into further discus .on of the principles advered TO-
But there are matters demanding explanation from
me chairman of the committee which made this report
AS understand the senator from Louisiana. be has
charged the committee with precptating this report
Mr.. DOWNS. beg leave to explain | only wished
to ta Tho Alta IA ha1
to examine the report but instead of saying that they
preciptate in presenting it, anxious that it
should be presented, that it might be possible
in possession of the Senate.
Mr.. Blu TIER. | understood him to intimate that the
report had been prepared without giving proper up
the subject. Now, sir wish merely to make a state.
ment OF that matter 1T there has been subject
before that committee which have entered into
deeply, and to which have given my whole mind,
port. II ever wished to have report contain such
principles would not only be consistent with the
siiuon, but practicable, it has been upon this question
called the committee together four tines and every
OF the propositions adverted 10 in that report was fully
minutely and deliberately discussed They put TO
the committee distinctly and clearly possible; and
II the senator had given the least nmaton when tins
report was proposed for adoption that he wished to
prepare and present counter report, would have de-
layed our report to give him opportunity.
And now, sir one word with regard to the honorable
senator from Illinois, The committee sir were disposed
10 treat his bill not only with the respect due 10 bill
coming from such soutce-from gentleman of such
ability who must be presumed to have considered all it's
detas-but il is known to him that we were AN xiou,
that he should come before the committeeman sir, to
make speech, but To confer upon all the propositions of
fic we nd fanI ~,