The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-09
Qhe California Mails

qhe California Malls.
The steamship Ohio is fully due with the Cali
fornia mails.
vbe California CONFERENCE.-The Elections
for Conc and Destiny OF
the New state.
The convention elected by the people OF Cali
fema, for the purpose of framing State constitu-
ton, having concluded their abors, adjourned on
The 18th of DC OBJ last. The influence of the New
Workers in California, is stamped upon the docu-
me nj Of the cenvenion which is evidently framed
uron our State constitution, In Its general features.
The officers and soldiers regulars and volunteers
from New York, bore a highly distinguished
mar, in the Mexican wal, and they were consplcu-
Gus in the conquest and military government of
California We now find the New York politicians
giving shape and character to the organic law of
the new common ealth, according to the latest
New York fashons-not even excepting the occa-
siensl doctrines Of socialism which are infused
into our political charter Free soil, free religion,
iree speech, and free press, are secured, and a
free access to the gold mines is also to be undis
turbed, as far as the State has any power over
Uncle Sans property. No duelling, no imprison-
ment for debt, no turning man out OF his house
merry, are tolerated. No banks, except faro and
pqorts banks, sand banks, snow banks, and gold
banks. are allowed. Shinpasiers tabooed, and
specie and gold dust not 10 be displaced by the
SPURIOUS issues of swindilng promises TO pay.
"Down with the dust, Is the motto OF California.
Governor Riley had submitted the Constitution
to the pc ople of California for their rattle alton,
the 18th Of last month, on which occasion, also,
two members TO the House of Representatives. were
70 BE- elected, and a Legislature, which is to meet
on the 18th Of this month, at San Jose, for the
election, among other things, of two Senators to
Congress II will probably, therefore, not BE- till
toward the latter end Of January when the const-
tution of the new State will be laid formally before
the two houses, by the President, at which time
the new members and senators may also be ex-
peeted to be knocking for admission nio the House
and the Senate chamber at Washington.
In the meantime, il is probable that no decisive
action will be had in Congress in respect TO the ter
rories but when the members TO the House, and
Senator's from California, shall present themselves
AZ the capitol, thrlr admission VIII depend upon
the admission of the new State into the Union.
The interval Of a month ought TO be time
enough 10 discuss the question, and to ascer-
rain how the land lies but the provlso in the con-
stution is an ugly feature to the extreme Southern
men, and may pIotsct the controversy on its ac-
eeptapce for several months To come. Congress
having ALWAYS exercised the right Of prescribing
the boundaries of a new State, the only difficulty
upon that point will be upon the motion TO divide
California by the compromise line, which Il Is I'M
derstood will be made in the Senate. However
ms, this would be 10 the Southern States, in con-
c,dnp them the territory for future State on the
Pacific, we apprehend that such n proposition can
never ,ueeeed IL would yltlate and destroy all
thai has been done by the people Of California, and
vouId reduce them 10 limits to which they would
not subs orbe. The true boundaries OF the State
Of California are indicated by the mountains aud
the Pacific. Within these lines her territory Is in
t.et-al of piece-all tributary to the barber of
San FRANCISCO, excepting the narrow slip Of land
b.~e en- the outside balls aud the sea- which. how
ever. l. depepdent upon the great interior valley.
The convention, representing every part 81 lhis ter
ri,or,. have spoken out against The uroductlsn of
slsv,Ty; and act on the part OF Congress, upset
ti.p their Judgment, and divldiog the valley into
two nearly squsl parts, between the Norm and
Al. Sou,h might lead TO serious difficulties with the
people 81 that ierriory.
We do not anticipate any insuPerabIe obstacles
against the admi,sion Of the new State, with
the republican form Of government she has
,dor,ed. which is AL that the constitution
requires, and which Congress IL pledged TO
guaranty. But, on the other hand, the ba-
lance of power in th, senate - involved,
and without some comp'oulIse or colnterpo'se TO
the new free state. in the admission At the ssme
time Of another slave State from Texas. the ALI.
fornia delegation my be kept hong wtile knock
no AT the doors Of the Senate before they are ad.
mted Il is no, improbable hat they may be kept
outside, among the lobby members, during the
whole e the session. without pay aud without
mileage. and, unless well supplied with gold dust,
they may with TO be- back at the 4" dggins" before
fhe question 10 setled.
But. whatever Congress my or may not do. the
of Caldurula IL onward. They arr nj.
ready independent Of federal legislation. Tsey
hsy. show themselves possrssed oi IT, fullest ca
pscity of selEsoveramenL The history OF theK
new State il without psrArl in this respect
There IL noih,nn like IL IN the history OF mankind
Many of our States have required the slow pro-
cess of gradual settlement, and SOM years OF
territorial education la The science 81 governoen',
before they were capable Ia take hold tor them
selves No, 80 with California. She springs ~
ike Minerva. foil AIMED from her birth. with the
strength and wisdom of maturity. Her eonstitu-
ton and the debates in her convention would Do
credit 10 the Congress Of 'he United States. and we
doubt whether ell the wise heads 81 Congress put
egsther. could have shaped on; better dic1meut
The destiny Of California is onward The dream
Of Columbus is being fulhlled oar steamers are
opening the western passage to The Indies; a peo-
pie, whose enterprise - the admiration ofthe world.
are bsildlng up new States on the Pacific Tney
must 90 forward, whatever Congress may do. Let
us hope that the proceedings at Washington viii be
such as to extend and encourage the prosperity OF
California and Oregon, and identity their enter
pre-. and success with the continued glory and
prosperity Of the Union.