The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-26

Senate.
Mr. MASON said that if this amendment was Withdrawn
by the senator from Wisconsin, he should renew it,
Mr.. WALKER. | would not withdraw my amend
entirely but simply from the civil and diplomatic bill
IL is with that alone that would withdraw II.
Mr.. MASON. do not know how far have been un-
derstood in my VIVA, say this that
that amendment be disposed of but by vote of the
Mr. WALKER Mr.. President, the Senate will oppre-
the remark when say that it with extreme diff
dence that propose to anything upon the subject
before the Senate appears, sir to meand fear It wall
appear to many oherslike obtrudng myself upon the
Senate this period of my senatorial career and upon
subject where ought feel myself justified confess
that do, considerable extent feel embarrassed by this
IMPRESSION But, sir have the consolation of knowing
that have not heretofore, since moved this amendment,
made any noise about obuded myself upon the
notice of the Senate any very considerable extent and
charge myself with having up to this period occu-
pied its attention IN any manner which not both modest
and usiable. have brought subject of great magni
ude my mind before the Senate II which has been
for time, and is likely continue, to agitae not
only this body but the other branch OF Congress- well as
the people of the country There one thing however, that Is
gray that have reached stage in this mattera mo-
the proceedings of the Senate of the United States
when every who has given nmaton his views
upon this subject feel the importance dong
thing, and doing for the settlement of this vexed
question This must be matter of qualification to all
We hear the senator from New Jersey, Mr.. DAYTON,
hear the great and distinguished senator from Massa
chusetls Mr. WEBSTER we hear even those who are OPP
posed to the passage of this amendment is offered
that il is important and important now, to do sOnethng
for the settlement of this matter. There to be
here, to dispute this Every seems to be sincere
in expressing this feeling, and in saying that he is
ready upon the proper OCCASION and IN proper way and
by proper to consider what shall do And, sir,
if sincerity is implied by the words Of gentlemen who have
spoken both publicly and privately the only questions
which remain be answered What shall be done
how shall it be donei and when shall it be done' This,
sir, repeat would be the state of mind which
is prevailing in the Congress of the United States Thes,
sir what shall be done' must address itself to every
aborng under the impression and feelings to which
have alluded that this is momentous and solemn qes-
There may be found those who will treat 1t Careless
y, and there may be found those who will treat 1t IN
manner to defeat action on the subject keep open as
subject Of agtaon-not only to agiate this branch of
Congress and the other but to agtae the millions of
felow-citzcns who directing their eyes this CAPT.
toll and, were, with mporing looks and Words be-
seeching US TO act and to act definitely.
| This qres on when addressed to the Senate twoud
SEEM ought have brought their feet those of old stand
ing political life; those Of distinguished ability and char
acer those who have established character for greatness
who have reached that period in life and that position
in the political affairs of the country when and where
they exercise mighty influence Sir, there is one
in this Senate who has been brought to his feet by
this solemn question being addressed to the Senate
the sound of whose my childhoods form was
disposed to assume more erect position And, looking
down the path of my own life have seen him in the dis
occupying that position in the estimation of his
trymen-ha political position in his country to which
venurcd aspire and little did dream of hav
ing the honor of sitting council with him the affairs of
this But sir when he brought to his feet and
the Senate were, kneeing around him. like chill
den begging parent for bread he almost literally offered
been disposed to appeal and cothe with the leadership
of great magnitude when ne offers his proposition
offers tina, which may well be denomnated nothing.
alude the very distinguished senator from Massachu
setts Mr. WEBSTER What has that distinguished
offered us' How has he answered this mpmentous
quesonshat shall be done upon this subject Sir he
has told us that we should do this:
"That President of United States be, and he here
by ia, authorized 70 hold possession Of and occupy me Ter
riiore. of California and New Mexico coded by Mexico
eighteen hundred and ory-eigh AMI thar he be author
lied for that pupo'e aud n order to maintain the an,hor
territories, employ such parts of the army and
OF the United States as he may deem necessary"
Now Mr.. President did that distinguished SENATOR
any other upon this aoor deem necessary to pass
decaraory merely Of what the duty Of the President
is already? Was there impression lurking IN his breast
there impression abroad in the Ssnatewas there
feeling pervading the Congress Of the United States that
the President be indicted into power far la ok
ing in the Knowledge of his duty and the to execute
it, neglect hold possession of these territories and
to that employ such naval and military forces of the
country might be necessary? Were there any that
dreamed that the incoming President ignorant of his
duty far lacking courage to execute IT. as to render
necessary pass this dccaraoty act! Sir seems to me
that neither SENATOR other senators in this chamber
any such impression IN the lately elected
Chief Magistrate OF this nation Sui, SIR, the words which
are presented to in writing would seem to imply thai
such feeling entertained and such belief did prevail
| know of none who entertain such opinion.
And now sir let look at the remainder of the answer
of this great to those questions which have pro
pc unded:
"sec And be further enacted, That until the cxpira
ton OF the OF Congress- unless Congress shall
sooner provide for the government of said territories, the
existing laws thereof s,l be nained and obseryed and
that the civil and judicial authority heretofore exercised
in said territories shall be vested in and exere sod pv sncf
person persons the President of the United States shall
appoint direct the end that the Inhabitants OF SAID
territories may b, protected in the full and free enloymen
of their liberty, property, and religion
Then, with proviso az INST military force
:. Pyopuied neperfheisss. That marital law shall not be
proclaimed declared in said territories, either oil the
nor any military established or nsitated, except ord
mari
amy and navy OF the United STATES"
Now, Mr.. President when the laws which existed
the of of this territory abrogated w
did they exisi And sir if they have not beer
abrog aledf they still exist and in force, pray wha
does this of that statesman say to us! IL says
nothing less than that he would have
those laws executed by appontees of the President O
the United States instead Of those officers chosen by
the people for themselves This is the answer whicf
is given to us by him, to whom We feel authorized
to ok for kindly advice and admonliion. Sir, Wher
/ him rise, ! did turn towards him with feelings
Of mingled hope and gratitude for thought when he took
upon this important Understanding him as haC
a right know him did expect from HIM something
and felt, in Anticipation gratitude for what was coming
hoping that he would give at that upon which
could settle down and agreeihat which would produce
tranquility ofmnd both here and in these territories 10 which
we propose extend of laws But, sir, must re
peat that when all read, disappointed, ant
could but pronounce in my mind the word nothing J
DISAPPOINTMENT sir, must upon the minds OF tho
country. speak in unkind to that senator;
wish he present to hear what have to say. But w
had right expect at his hands, at all events to
one ] did expect And then again. when he turned
from us and said that he did feel himself authorized tc
exhort the Senate upon this any other subject seemed
to that there want Of feeling, usable in tina
great breast and which ght been mani
Tasted here. We all entertain high appreciation of him
l.l Ia. " Ill o.lt a.,