The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-10
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
TUESDAY, July 8, 1850.
SENATE.

TUESDAY, July 8, 1850.
SENATE.
Mr.. SEWARD presented the proceedings OF II
large public meeting held in Troy, New fork, andt
four petitions signed by citizens OF the same place.
in favor of modification Of the tariff OF 1870
JUDICIARY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Mr. FEICH presented petition OF citizens OF!
the city Of Washington praying reform Of the Jul
dicial system of the District OF Columbia.
UNION GAS LIGHT COMPANY.
Mr. MASON from the Committee on the District
of Columbia, reported bill to incorporate the|
Union Gas Light Company Of Washington city.
THE rIME OF MEETING OF CONGRESS-.
Mr.. WALKER, pursuant to notice, introduced d
bill changing the time of the annual meeting of
Congress from the fret Monday in December to the
first Monday in October.
PRIVATE Hills.
Mr.. DICKINSON, pursuant TO notice, introduced
bill for the relief Of James Wormley; and, also, al
bill granting pension to Sarah Brandt.
INVALID PENSIONS.
Mr.. CLARKE moved and the Senate proceeded
to the consideration Of the bill to authorize the pay
after some remarks from Messrs. CLARKE, KISs,
and DAWSON, the bill was postponed till to-mor
row.
THE wAsHISoToN CANAL
Mr. BADGER submitted the following resolu.
tion which considered and agreed to:
Resoired, That the Committee on Public Build.
ings be instructed to inquire whether the present.
condition of the Washington canal not prcudicia
the public health, and TO report, If necessary
what remedy is essential.
nEMovALs FROM OFFICE.
Mr.. MANGUM said that great mass of Execu-
tive nominations had been brought to a stand still,
because of this resolution. He therefore moved that
it be taken up and made the special order Of the
day for to- morrow at ii o'clock, and the motion
was agreed to.
Mr.. HALE moved, and the bill authoring the
payment of interest upon the advances made by
the State of Maine, for the of the United States
Government in the protection Of the northeastern
frontier, Yesterday ordered TO third reading, was
taken up, read third time, and passed
PAYMENT OF interest TO THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
Mr.. BERRIEN moved, and the bill to authorize
the Secretary of War to allow the payment Of inter
est to the State Of Georgia for advances made for
the Of the United States in the suppression Of
the hostilities Of the Creek, Seminole and Chcro-
kee Indians in the years IS36-7's, was then taken
up, and after amendment, and some debate by
Messrs. KING. BERRIEN, PEARCE, PRATT,
and DICKINSON, the bill read u third time
end passed.
CALrFoRNIA-TERnITOnIAL GOVERNMENTS.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the bill
reported by the select committee OF thirteen, t.
admit California State into the Union; to
tablish territorial governments for Utah and New
Mexico and making proposals to Texas for the es
Enlistment OF her western and northern bounda-
ries.
Mr.. BUTLER said that for many reasons he APP
preached the discussion of this subject with reuc.
lance il had already been discussed by the ablest
men of the Senate, and he could have hope OF
adding any light to the question. II was sur.
accordance with his views. The present question
it would appear, the hinge on which to
turn the destines of the nation. He proceeded IL
state the history.of the Territories and pointed
the kable fact that for Con ore
had, from some cause another, been unable to
discharge its obligations, constitutional and under
the treaty, TO give government TO those Terrific
mes. IL was conceded by all that II was the duty
of this Government TO give a government Of some
form TO the people Of the Territories. 1t aIso
well known that all endcavors to this effect had
failed. He would be glad that the present debate
would result in some measure, to restore peace and
harmony TO the country. lie would rejoice could
he go horne and tell his constituents that Congress
had passed bill upon which they could repose
with confidence and honor.
The present bill was before the country as a COM
promise bill IL had come in under the fascinating
influence of the great name Of the Senator from
Kentucky. lie thought that the history Of these
compromises showed that they had been disastrous
10 one section if not TO the whole country Tn,
Constitution was never intended by its trainers u
be supported by compromises of day. Its pro-
visions were plain and clear for the purposes for
whichit was devised. II unable 10 accomplish these
ends 1t contained within itself the means to remedy
the defect. He had no hope, however, for such q
course that. lie feared tIat il would be allowed
TO stand a gem surrounded by excrcscences. lie
believed that the times alarming, and that a
dissolution of the Union pending the settlement
Of this question. He thought thati to come
1t certainly would not be averted by placing the
Constitution upon props which had their foundation
upon crumbling compromises.
lie described the nature of the question now in
volved in the controversy, and alluded to the fire.
quent expressions OF devotion To the Union which
were constantly being made by the North coupled
sometimes with pretty free intimations that a con-
trary feeling WAS entertained at the South lie asked
why all compromises came from the South and al
concessions proposed and observed by the
SOUTH He commented upon this point for some
time. For n constitutional Union he was willing
LAY down HE life, bot for Union to be the mere
instrument of power by majority. he could fee
no reverence. IL was not TO be supposed that the
South had any deep feeling for such Union Tb,
North-which would be in the majority, and could
divert the Union from it, constitutional purposes
the oppression and degradation Of the Southland
a great reverence for the Union, and was indig
nanuy opposed 10 the idea Of dissolying IL. IL
could understand this. lie would soon expect a
New England farmer TO destroy his mich COW be
cause IL grew fat upon his ncghbors pasture as ia
suppose the North would be in favor Of dissolying
such an Union.
He cited portions Of the speech Of Mr. DAVIS, of
Massachusetts, upon what that gentleman said
should be the policy of the country in regard 10 ter.
ritones acquired, and to the importance Of havin
slavery excluded by positive, unmistakablc terms
of law, and replied TO them.
lie alluded 10 the Senator's comments upon the
character Of the cotton population, aud the rowing
restless, and ambitious disposition Of that popuia-
ton, shown in the late attempt on Cuba; and 10
the Senator'S remark, that the most efcotual mode
Of restraining the further progress Of that cotton
population would be 10 place on the southern from
tier free population. Mr. h. defended the cotton
population" and maintained that they were al
least, as competent 10 understand their own right.
the codfish gentlemen, whom il was designed e
place them scntinels and guardians.
He examined the part Of the present bill which
proposed the admission Of California. He denied
the right authority Of the people Of California
set themselves up in State government. lie could
not recognise such palpable violation Of the Con.
sutution. lie could not consent TO admit her in
violation Of the Constitution.
He examined tho prcccdcnts Of the admission q
new States, and denied that there any thing in
any oftbem to sustain the admission Of Calfornis
under the circumstances attending her sppljca
ton, and the proceedings leading thereto.
lie examined the dcclarstio OF hostility by scv.
eral Senators and from several quarters to the adj
mission Of any additional slave State, and con
tended that Il was almost impossible 10 suppose
that any new State recognising slavery could ever
be admitted into the Union. He commented upon
the plan Of the Administration, upon the doctrine