The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-22

ganzaon OF this territory, this property will be there
recognised and guaranteed by the constitution OF the Unit
ted Sales yet II Mexican laws have forbidden slavery,
and il those Mexican laws, under the operation oil our
constitution and laws, shall be adudged be still IN
force then shall have carried this property into a
portion Of the territory OF the United States in which
slavery is prohibited The amendment therefore, Is not
an improbable II is an amendment OF practical
force; and far from acquescng IN the suggestion made
by the senator from louisiana Mr.. Dowssl in the ex'
preston OF the hope that no southern senator Will vote
Tor il, beg TO say upon this, do not know how, upon
this view OF the subject any southern senator can reinse
TO vote for IT, unles be relies so implicitly upon his own
opinion that he ventures 10 predict what human being
dohe ultimate judicial decision upon that subject
The effect OF thai amendment unquestionaby would be
to guard US against an adverse decision with regard to
the existence or nom existence OF Mexican laws.
Mr. FO0fE. Will the senator allow me 10 ask wheth-
err his opinion he understands the principle OF non
intervention this amendment will not be in opposition TO
Mr. BERRIEN What does the senator mean by the
principle OF non Intervention
Mr. F0OrE; mean the principle which declares that
this question shall be left Tor the people OF the territory
TO adjudcate by their votes, without any influence on
the part Of the government
Mr. BERRlEN Stipulated by whom
Mr. FOOrE did not say il was stipulated by any
body; but that doctrine q expounded in this chamber
and as il is acknowledged by all
Mr. BERREN Mr.. President the answer have TO
give 10 that very simple am in favor OF the doctrine
Of intervention; and II that principle had been fairly
carried out for the organization Of the government for the
nosoa 10 i But how i ,hs, principle Of non in,even
ton carried out by the bill which is proposed here flor
the most important part OF this territory is already with
drawn from the operation OF this principle OF non-inter
vention That portion of the territory which California
has not assumed to itself is made the subject OF an inter-
yenton, direct in the legitimate action OF this gov
eminent, but eeclua 10 the annihation OF southern
rights as il it had been directly made. But asked
to submit the operation of that principle as it regards
by far the most important part OF the territory, and TO ad
comparatively poor remnant to which that principle OF
Intervention, BY ndrecton, has been made to APP
ply to the destruction OF southern rights That IS the
answer which have 10 give to the question whether
consider this as interfering With the principle OF non-ln-
terventiOn.
Mr. FOOTE, hope the senator from Georgia will
bear with me. simply wish TO put myself in such an
attitude that ! may not be misunderstood hereafter |
understood the senator from Georgia to intimate that the
present amendment. even il it could have the effect de-
signed by its supporters 10 be Produced would be ndica
tive OF the principle OF non-nervention but he thinks
that the principle OF the ler taltonts some principle
akin to that inasmuch Intervention has already taken
place the of California, il will be usiabe to ap
ply the principle now to these Territories stall
60 back to the history OF the organization OF Calfors
MIA have my own views on that subject. am not
prepared, though 10 vote, and have not for moment
thought Of voting, for any principle which would involve
the violation oil the principle OF intervention IN any
case. On this plan OF compromise thought we could
very well bring California into the Union with proper
boundaries, BY this BILL in connexion with the bill esab-
fishing territorial governments on the weknown prln-
cipe OF non-intervention. never thought OF claiming
more in establishing these territorial governments, than
that the Wmo Proviso should not be incorporated in
ii; and | candidly agree with what Mr. Calhoun once
said here that the less we NEEDLE with the subject OF
slavery in organizing territorial governments The better
| have well considered this question OF non-inieryen-
ton; and have made up my mind never knowingly to
violate it, II every other southern man abandons tins
great and sauary principle OF the democratic creed
help Heaven, will still adhere TO it, even though the
consequence OF my fidelity TO it should be the destruction
of whatever Of personal popularity may nov possess
Mr.. BERRlEN. The honest, firm, and Independent
course which The senator proposes 10 pursue have no
doubt he will pursue; and he does not intend, pre-.
to Intimate that he enieralns any doubt mat other
senators will pursue the same honest, hm, and lnde-
pendent course.
Mr.. FOoTE | have NOT the least doubt OF il. The
honorable senator from Georgia is the last man IN the
world TO whom would think OF attribuiing any but the
most honorable motives.
Mr. BERRlEN | wish simply to correct the error
into which the senator from Mississippi Mr. FoorEl has
fallen with reference to the position which assumed,
when he states that acting on the principle OF the
ier taiionis. II is not am acting on the principle
that il is the state OF the facts which renders proper thus
doctrine OF non intervention In regard this question
OF slavery is not the question that is presented TO
US 1t when the doctrine OF non-intervenon
was contsnded for here before The most important par,
of the subject 10 which that principle was to be applied
has been Withdrawn by an indirect intervention WIN
regard TO the residue therefore free, because Is
different state OF the which Is now presented to me
for my consideration do not want 10 detain the Sen
ate but wish TO say, further, that retain the opinion
which have heretofore expressed in relation 10 the va:
dy Of these lava but that may not Be the opinion Of
hope, therefore, that the amendment OF the honorable
senator from Mississippi may prevail
Mr.. DOWNS. Mr.. President, my friend from Missis-
spp Mr.. DAvIsl thinks did not understand bis amend
ment. will state what understand by IT, II am mis-.
taken, hope he will correct me. i understand his
amendment TO repeal the laws, regulations, and customs
OF Mexico, prohibiting or hindenng the introduction oil
all species OF property by citizens OF the United States,
and authorizing and declaring the laws and constitution
OF the United States TO intervene in their stead Is that
iti
Mr.. DAVIS, OF Mississippi. Something more than
that II recognises AS property every thing which so
recognised by the laws, and under the constitution OF the
United States
MIR DOWNS So | understand il 81 did not give the
precise words. Now MIR. President, my opinion u, that
that makes il no better. These terms. II anything,
make my opposition 10 il greater than before IL only
attempts 10 remove difficulties out Of the way OF our car
yng property into the Territories Of the United States.
which we contend, and contend rightly, | believe,
that entitled 10 carry there By the laws and con-
stution OF the United States.
Now, this action proposed on the part OF my friend
implies that We have such right, and that we must
derive right IRON the legislation OF this body in repeal
ing certain Mexican laws Now, sir, IL the constitution
authorizes 10 90 there with slaves, II does so IT.
respective OF Mexican laws, or OF their formal repeal BY
this body and II the constitution does not authorize vs.
to there, the repeal OF those laws does not make the
case better We violate the principle OF non. inleTven
ton and we violate the reasoning upon which we have
al ways based and justified that principle, and get
advantage from doing TIE extension Of the const.
tuition over the Territories is just .eclus this pro-
VISION be.
And. Mr. President. | am sorry tina, have not been
any more convinced BY the argument Of the honorable
senator iron Georgia, that thus amendment is not both
useless and perncous He says he for non-interyen
uon, INT he slii wants this provision. lie thinks that
this provision may make a material difference. Now,
SIT, we are aiming al the same thing We all contend