The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-14
Hon. winia,n Daer.

On recurring to the speech OF the Hon.
Mr.. DuER, of New York, delivered in the
House of Representatives on the 10th OF
April, in the debate on the Presidents
California message, we find that he sup
ports the policy of the message In good
faith and as whole. We quote from Mr..
DUER's speech on this point
at is of little consequence how may stand upon
. this question, except to those whom Immediately
. represent. Nevertheless, having patiently sub
. mitted for some time TO misconstruclion of
which might point to various instances have
natural desire to relieve my position of any am
biguity that may be attached to it. have been
: ready from the beginning of this session, and
am ready now, TO place the settlement OF this
question upon constitutional principle prin
ciple that the people ola Territory, in establishing
constitution for their government as State,
have the right to establish or to prohibit slavery as
they may please. j was ready to do this before
read, or had heard any ntimation of the contents
Of the annual message OF the President, or OF the
California message; am not the less ready to do
50 now that / know that my opinion has sane
ton in 30 high quarter. have considered with
attention and respect the propositions that have
emanated from several eminent gentlemen for the
adjustment of this question; but will say that
have nowhere any thing that in my judg
mcnt is wise and just the plan submitted
to us by the President, in the message now under
consideration. And in speaking of the plan Of
the President have in view the principle to which
he refers am aware that, strictly speaking,
the President has presented no plan, but rather an
idea; and has very properly deferred entirely to
L.
consideration of time and mode, and the arrange
ment of details II seems to me erroneous 10 say,
8 that the policy of the President settles nothing;
that it is policy Of naction. On the contrary it
has an advantage in this respect every other
plant settles the question and il is the only plan
that settlest. tits not policy of inaction Though
it does not absolutely demand yet it admits of &C
ton and immediate action. We may give finaty
: to the policy when we please; and for one | am
ready, and think it most wise, to do 30 now. In
plain words, am ready to vote for bill author
izing the people Of New Mexico to form a con-
stitution for their government State, and
declaring that, upon their adoption of constitu
ton, republican in its form, they shall thereupon
and thereby be one of the States of the Union.
: Such bill should contain a provision, as matter
of preliminary arrangement, for the extinguish-
ment, upon just terms, and with the assent of
Texas, of her claim to portion of the territory.
provision of that character appears indeed to be
necessary, whether we adopt the State the ter
ritorial plan, since in either case weSought to
know what it is for which we are legislating.
6 do not think it doubtful that may make pro-
position to Texas which she will not reject. Pass
such bill, and the question is settled, rrevocably
settled, settled by rrepeaable law; and before
6 the meeting of another Congress, New Mexico
will be Of the States of the Union.''
We are also authorized to State that it
is Mr.. DUER's intention, if no one else
should offer such proposition, bring in
a bill for the admission of New Mexico as
a State, as suggested by him in the re-
marks we have above cited.