Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1850-02-02
From the Baltimore San.
CONGRESS.
WAsHINoToN, Jan. 23. 1850

" oi"'e Sh"i' uc helu gullty OF msde-
meanor; and that the testimony of the
fugitive shall not be taken.
The Senate resumed the consideration
OF the resolution offered by Mr. Foote,
declaring that it is the Guty of Congress
TO establish territorial governments for
California, Deseret, and New Mexico.
Mr.. Cass resumed and concluded his
against the constitutionality of
the Wilmot proviso. He read some ex-
tracts from John Quincy Adams diary,
in which he pronounccs that the constitu-
tion of the United States is morally and
politically vicious, inasmuch as it did not
prohibit slavery. He contrastcd the
spirit OF this denunciation with that of
Gen. Washington's Farewell Address,
and the patriotic sentiments of Jefferson,
Monroe and Madison.
The man who thus denounced the con-
stitation of his country had held more
posts of honor under it than any of the
last century ; he then held the second
post under the Government and soon
after held the first.
Mr. Cass concluded his remarks on the
constitutional branch of the subject
The necessity of settling the question hc
urged with much force,
Formerly it had been assumed that
the power to exclude slavery from ter
rtory existed, and that the source from
which it was derived was sought for
The Senate was not bound by the politi-
cal legislation Of the Supreme Court.
This Senate was to Judge for itself of
e1ch question. If the opinions Of the
Supreme Court were binding upon us,
we might, being dvcsted of authority,
abandon our seat here. The opinions of
the Supreme Court on political subjects
were all o1tter opinions-opinions by the
way, They were entitled to respect, but
were not binding
lie examined the precedents in the ac-
ton of Congress. Authority in coun-
tries favorable to the development was
of slow growth authority comes
from time and use. There are but few
instances of decisions on our statute
books and these, for the most part, pass
cd SUB silentio and settled nothing
There was no discussion-merely silent
legislation as to power over territories, up
TO 1920. There was nothing in prece-
dent to preclude reference to the Con
etitntion.
The Missouri CONTROVERSY brought up
the question, and it was not settled, but
evaded, by political expedient. The
compromise was submitted to, but it al
tered no previous opinion.
No man could now observe the state
OF things in the South without seeing
in them the dangers that the Father Of
his Country pointed out in lis Farewell
Address.
Ihc resolution was passed over,
The Dcseret Memorial and Constitu-
ton were referred to the Committee on
Territories.
The bill introduced by .nr. Foote, for
the organization of territories, &c, was
referred to the Committee on Territories.
Adjourned.
House Of Reprcscntatsves.-on motion
of Mr.. Bayly. the House resolved itself
into committee of the whole on the state
of the Union, (Mr Boyd Of Ky. in the
chair) with the view of referring the
subjects embraced in the Presidents s an
nual Message, to appropriate committees.
Mr. Clingman avaled himself oil this
occasion to present the remarks of which
he gave notice yesterday, concerning the
subject embraced in the Presidents Mes
sage, yesterday, in regard to California.
MIR. c. expressed his confidence in the
Judgement, I'M gritty and patriotism of
the President; and in commenting on the
views advanced by him in the Message,
said there was no real difference between
the President and himself. He admitted
the right of each State to settle for them
8 Ives all such domestic questions as were
referred to therein; but as tn who are the
people that are to decide as well the time
as manner Of admission of new States,
were in themselves questions for the
judgment of Congress under all circum-
stances of the case.
lie alluded to Louisiana, which was
kept two years before she was allowed TO
form State constitution, and to be ad-
mitted by Congress into the Union He
argued that the admission OF California
with her present organization, would be
yreat anti slayerv friurnrb. INT N, n,a;nto;,,