The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-10

minority should be first considered, and that the
majority should wait in considering their meas
ures Ii that was proper rule under which 10
act, part Of the majority in any ease might go
over pro tempore to the minority, and make
minority on their side, and then gentlemen would
instantly yield and let us take up the proposition
But If the majority was to be so changed as TO
make but small number OF votes IN favor OF the
admission Of CALIFORNIA;, and large number in
favor of this Texas boundary question: do not
think the senator from North Carolina would be
very willing to apply his own rule, especially if
he happened to be with the majority | do not
think he would yield In such case.
Mr. BADGER. Oh yes, would, in moment
especially if it was desired to put the other
measure in a form in which it would pass
Mr. EWING. The honorable senator says
he would yield, especially ifit was to put the
measure in such a form as to enable it to pass.
Perhaps he would want some speeches first; and
If not am inclined to believe he would think it
great wrong that the majority should give way
to the minority. Why, sir, the consequence OF
adopting principle of that kind would be that
the majority would have to yield to the minority
in every thing That would be all. 1t does
not accord with my views exactly; and, though
was appealed to very strongly, cannot yield
to these reasons.
Mr.. FOOTE. | would suggest an idea to the
honorable senator from Ohio, which he may not
be inclined to adopt, although it has often been
asserted here. | will not undertake to say that
it is perfectly right and justiiabe to feel the in
tense excitement which they have felt in regard
to the admission Of California as separate
measure, but if such is the fact, the honorable
senator from Ohio is bound to know it; and he
is bound to know also that those who represent
the Southern States participate in that feeling
most strongly. IT, then, the admission of Cali
fornia as separate measure should occur in
the form in which it is now proposed, she should
be admitted anterior to the settlement OF the other
questions does not the honorable senator from
Ohio perceive that such an act would be prOduc-
tive Of strong feeling in both houses of Congress-,
and in certain section of the conference.-the
States of the South! And, sir would ask him,
may not this feeling to some extent put to hazard
the other questions involved in this bill!
Now, does not the honorable Senator from
Ohio perceive the vast importance Of the mea-
sure before us! | wish to know from him whe-
Their he is prepared, thus early in the course of
the present Wing Administrator, to assume
hostile attitude towards it. The first message
which has been received from the Wing Admi-
nistration now in power, recommends to US in
SOtcUlI, clIlpildtiC
that we should adopt some measure before any
thing else is done, for the purpose of settling
the boundary question which the bill before us
proposes to adjust A more urgent, well-timed,
and imposing message in its character never came
to the two houses OF Congress- With a generos-
ity almost unparalleled in the history of the
country, the members of the Democratic party,
the lovers of the Union, DESTROYS of saving the
country from the dscord and danger with which
we are threatened, have come forward in a spirit
of patriotism, regardless Of mere party ties and
considerations, or any thing like mere party
claims, and have presented themselves here to
some extent ms the champions and represent
tatives of that policy which has been formally
declared by the Wing Administration. At this
crisis in the national affairs, when circumstances
have arisen which are familiar to us all, which
call upon every man, to whatever party in the
country be may feel attached, to rise above all
party ties and to stand by his country, the De-
mocratic members Of this body, to their eternal
honor be it spoken---I am proud to belong to
a party capable Of thus acting--haye come for
ward and declared their willingness--althoug
they are as solictious for, and as devoted to the
admission ofCaliforna as the senator from Ohio
can can be--to postpone that measure for the
purpose Of acting in harmony with the Presi-
dent of the United States, in support of the
measure now under consideration. And, sir, the
opposition is from Wing senator's; the i'm
pedments are alone offered by the Wing party
in this chamber. Sir, is not this strange! Can
it be that their unfortunate non-acton policy,
which | had hoped was at an end, is still to in
fiuence us with deadly power, until this great
country and all its great interests shall become
utterly PROSTATE at the feet of faction?
Sir, it really does seem as if feelings of high
toned .triotism were almost lost in the land
| did hope, when the senator from Maryland
brought forward his proposition, which is SO
reasonable, so patriotic, so we'll calculated to
satisfy II majority of the two Houses of Con-
gress, measure so well calculated to satisfy
Texas and to put an end to this distracting
question forever, and to give concord and happi-
ness to the country once more, that there would
not be found any member of this body prepared
to rise in his place and interpose impediments
to that immediate action without which no set
Element can take place at all. Because, let the
question Of the admissi of California betaken
up tomorrow morning and the debate proceed
with which we are threatened be had upon that
subject ard this particular question m " remain
undecided for two weeks to come; and in that
case, events may occur--l do not mention this
by way of threat or menace, but as practical
-man--wh;ch will involve this country in conse-
quences more dreadful than have ever we
marked the pages of our history.
am surprised by the course pursued by the
senator from Ohio. | do not rise for the pur-
pose of censuring him. | use no language of
denuncation; but must say that am sur
prised at his course in this case; for had hoped
that he would at least permit us to come to
some vote upon the measure before us, and not
wish to impede our action because he desires
certain amendments to be printed, when the
senator from Maryland has demonstrated that
there is no necessity for printing them, because
they are so simple in their character, and similar
to propositions which have been before this
body for months.
Mr.. BUTLER | rise to ask an explanation
from the senator from Ohio Do | understand
him that the line indicated by him is to run from
the Red river? and how far is it above the Pnso
del Norte! 81
Mr.. EWING. About two or three miles.
Mr.. BUTLER. He assumes, then, that all
the land lying west of the meridian 1880, and
next the Red river, belongs to New Mexicos