The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-03-31
WHOLE NO 400

ely dipuG W tiS IbT IeIicI. lHeTe Is IN III al
country now no law, or it is so feeh!y adj
minlsleed as entirely 10 fail of its objects
robbery, and violence, and murder, are the
most ordinary of &C currences, not an arri-
val from that Country but brings 10 US the
narrative of some barbariIy or outrage, 10
kill is common, TO plumber usual. and
yet we refuse these people our prolec.
lion.
1recollect well, Mr.. Chairman, when
few days ago The proposition was made
in thus House to refuse to make the APP
preparation for paying to the Mexican
government the amount stipulated in the
treaty as the consideration for the pur-
chase OF California, with what vehe-
ment and manly eloquence you resisted
it. And, sir, l had the pleasure OF agree
ing with you in opinion. Like you, sir,
| thought that the stlpulations of that
treaty ought to be observed, and that the
sum of money ought to be paid 1t is up
on The constitutional principle that a
treaty is the supreme law of the land.
and that the occasion must be one OF ex-
treme urgency in which the House of
Representatives will be justified in with
holding the appropriation; but the obi
CATION to maintain and uphold one por-
ton Of that treaty is in no way more
binding than the duty TO keep and OBJ
serve the other portions OF it all the
parts are of equal validity and of equal
force: the oaths we have taken to support
the Constitution, which Constitution de-
clares that call treaties made. or which
shall be made, under the authority of the
United States, shall be the supreme law
of the land" compel us to observe the
conditions ofthls treaty in every respect.
Now, sir, it was contended upon every
part Of this House, with but ten voices
to the contrary, that we were bound bv
every obligation of national honor, and
OF national faith, to pay the twelve mil.
lions and interest to Mexico; the point of
good faith was dwelt upon, sir. by you
and others with particular gravity and
unctlon all the horrors Of reputation
were held up before our eyes; we were
even told that to refuse to pay would be
to be guilty of more than Punic perfdy;
and, SIT, III that | agreed with you, with
out intending any reflection upon those
who chose to think differently. l was
one Of those who believed it impossible
to return the Calltornans 10 Mexico;
that, indeed, it were easier to conquer
all that was left of her, from the waters
OF the CHA to the 1Sthmus Of Tehuante-
pee, than to restore her the Territories
she had surrendered to u.s. But if we
would be guilty Of national dlshonor by
the refusal to pay these miserable dol
lars, ask, in what condition we will be
found, il we 90 not observe the stipu!a-
tons OF the ninth article Of the treaty of
Guadalupe Hldago9 and which is as fol
lows:
'The Mexicans who, in the territories afore-
said, shall not preserve the character of citizens
of the Mexican Republic ccnormahly with what
| is stipulated in the preceding article shall be in
corporated into the Union of the United States.
and be admitted at the proper time Ito be ind ged
of by the Congress of the United States to the
enjoyment Of all the rights Of citizens of the u
nited States, according to the principles Of the
Consultation, and in tie mean tune shall be
maintained and protected in the free enjoyment
OF their liberty aud property, and secured in ,lc
free exercise of their religion without restrc-
ton"
Are we less obliged to protect these
people in the free enjoyment of their
liberty, property, and religion, as provi-
ded by this article, than we are to pay
the money as is provided by this article!
"The free enjoyment OF their liberty,
property, and religion" these, sir, are the
very words of my substitute. 1t is Inten
ded to provide for the observance of the
treaty; it is intended to give Jaw and pro-
lection to our fellow people OF the Pa
clGc coast, who are now destitute ofboth
it is intended to bring order out OF dis
order, and method out of confusion; and
it is intended by settling the government
upon firm though temporary basis to
provide hereafter for permanent and
efficient administration Of affairs through
some we'll settled scheme of legislation
This plan may not succeed it may moi
meet with the sanction Of this House
but, l am we'll assured that all others
must fail. The bill reported by the
chairman of the Committee on Terrific
ries will not become law; the suhsti-
tute offered by the gentleman from Vlr-
ginia will probably not prevail, it being
in the nature ola permanent arrange
ment; may l not then hope that TINS sub
stitute, which is only intended for The
temporary government of this territory
will be adopted!
If this or some measure analogous to
1t be not adopted, it will be only an adj
d'tional proof, added to those which
have already accumulated, that the de
sire Of certain gentlemen here is not SC
much to provide for the peace, safety
and security OF our recent and distant
acquisitions, as it is to keep upa DANCE
1 L u