The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-25

1
side of the chamber less disposed than are TO con
hde in the capacity and sound intentions of the President OF
their chocel The honorable senator from New Jersey
Mr. DAYroNl has to-day hearing rather ponpous-
announced that the and the hour have arrived Tor
settlement of all the grave questions involved In the estao-
ishment of territorial California and New
Mexico We understand auson OF the honorable sena
tor perfectly know well who expected to arrive IN our
midst to-day and ferventy hope that ms advent among
US may have quite "a sautary influence upon his frends
and the country. The senator compares General iayor
with General Jackson and that as the latter settled
Florida territorial dicu ties so easily and 80 slorousiy
we are bound presume that the former will be able
cessuy cope with all the trying circumstances to be
in establishing civil order and domestic tran
auiIIity in California and New Mexico. l admit that
the honorable altogether right in bringing
forward this comparison. General Jackson and Cen
eral Taylor if the which reach be correct
wholly dissimar in several important respects
and therefore is that decidedly favor of the
amendment of the honorable senator from Wisconsin,
which il brought forward mainly upon the presumption
that General Taylor entirely equal to the emergencies oil
the moment. Sir, if the hour and The indeed at
hand earnestly invoke the honorable senator from New
Jersey, at this hour, to besow upon the man OF whom he
.aks in terms of such lavish encomum all the requisite
powers to permanent order IN our new territorial
possessions and quet harmony, and, IT possible
true bro,hery feelings once more 10 the hose sections
Union But oh no says the honorable senator from
New Jersey am not willing to trust such exorotan
powers to the national Executive they might pechance
be abused and the wofu consequences might eHsue
And this is possible but repeat that 1t IS by no
means probable if those who elevated General Taylor to
power have totally misunderstood his character
pose in lieu the amendment Of the honorable senator
from Wisconsin Just this and no more: He proposes
only the laws of the United States to
California and New Mexico. He omits to mention in his
amendment various commercial laws of high importance,
connected directly with the its collection
He all the respecting intercourse and trade with the
Indian tribes though he has, this casion, gone
what of his way profess peculiar sympathy for
the American aborignes He oms all the acts respecting
the public lands the survey sale thereothough
tanIy nothing be important than the Immediate
of such laws these Territories by the agency
Of which the early settlement of these Territories
be secured, and body OF substantial cit
established therein.
The honorable senator, moreover, unwilling
tend the other Of Congress of public and genera char
acter the of which may adudged by the Pres
ident suitable and proper be applied to
territories though surely this confers discretion
which might safely be ntrus'ed to any man worthy to be
elected President of this great republic The honorable
also authorizing the President to "pre
scribe and establish all needu ruea and regulations in
formity with constitution of the United States for the
enforcement of said laws said terrtores and il unwilling
allow the President "rom time to tme to modify said
rules and regulations in such TO him may
discreet and proper though the exercise of these powers
is obviously INDISPENSABLE to the attainment of all the great
ends proposed be attained by esslatns this subject
the present time The honorable senator from New Jer
sey be sure by his amendment, proposes that a the
military civil, and judicial exercised by the officers
Of the existing of said territories shall be vest
ed in such person or shall be
manner the President United States shall direct for
the maintaining of the inhabitants Of said territories the free
enjoyment OF their liberty, property, and religion " which
IL,
establishment of military government in those territories,
and the keeping in existence civil and judicial unctionaes
whose power wholly inadequate to the suppression of
the prevailing dsorders the increase Of which of late has
become alarming Such is the amendment of the honor
able from New Jersey 1t is in support of this
amendment and opposition that Of the honorable
from Wisconsin,, that long, ervid and furious har-
angue has been uttered in hearing.
But, Mr. President the honorable senator from New Jer-
sey alone in his opposition the amendment of the
honorable from Wisconsin the distinguished
aor from Massachusetts,, Mr.. WEBsrEn,l who sits
the way has most zsaousy co-operated with him on
this occasion. That honorable senator opened his
speech with much gravity and emphasis, reminding
Of what not likely TO become obivious that
he WAS opposed The late with Mexico that he
equally opposed to the treaty Of peace with that
republic; and therefore has responsibility all
nected with this territory And yet he is kindly willing
give his advice to the which
in that quarter of tls rrpnbc ought be managed The
honorable from Massachusetts acknowledges that
our bounden duty to give the inhabitants of California
and New Mexico gope' nnent - but yet contends that
should be only mill Now Mr. President,
know of authority possessed ythe National
under the constitution Of the Unned States, establish
military government appro xmating thing like pcrma
nency time of peace and am sure, that did pc
the establish such government under such
sances 1t would be equally inexpcient do So and
pugnant to the true spirit and fundamental principles of
republican system But with great Difference the honor
able senator, is he not little inconsistent with himself in
proposing this military government which he has
seriously recommended considerations Is not the
printed amendment intended to be proposed by the honor
able SENATOR tables, in which provision is
to be found running thus: SHAT martial law shall be
proclaimed declared in said territories either of them
any military established instituted except or
binary courtsmara for the trial Of persons belonging
to the army and navy Of the United Slatesi" Let
me ask that honorable senator how military govern
ment could be established and kept in operation in
California and New Mexico, with judicial tribunals APP
pendant thereto, speak correctly, existing
part thereof without the necessary existence of military
courts IL possible in the Of thngs that court
military could be established n country under the do
mnion of government strictly military Really seems
to that these questions themselves and need
calculation. But Why let ask the honorable senator is
1t that he has thought proper thus suggest the proprey
of providing that martial law should be proclaimed
declared said territories any military Court estab-
trial Of pcrsons belonging the army and navy of the
United Ststesl' Does he dead that military cheain
whom he has lately contributed prominently in eevang
to the presidency of the Union has much partially for
martial law and military tribunals, that necessary to
restrain him by special statute! Whv sir, again say
though had hand in elecng Gen Taylor to the pres
dency. at all apprchensve Of his establishing
in the least doubt that he would prefer the regular
course OF municipal justice to the adudcations of any
ltary that could possibly be organized To SUP.
pose otherwise my judgment, to do the President
most injustice and the very suggestion from so
distinguished quarter Of such abuse Of power being
even possible, is calculated awaken painful apprehcn-
sions in the minds Of his fellow. ci,zens generally.
amendment intended be proposed by the honorable
ator from Massachusetts, and perhaps but Just him
that should notice that amendment. somewhat ,ora partic-
ularIy.
The first feature Of this amendment which shall notice
that authorizes tho President hold possession
and occupy the territores Of California and New Mex
leo. Now sir, hold this provision TO he entirely
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