The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-01-30
TELEGRAPHIC DISPATCHES.
FOR THE uMINERs' EXPRESS"
CONGRESS.

forth to reconsider the vote postponing the cleo
ton of Doorkeeper. The Speaker decided that
it would be in order to appoint temporary Door,
keeper and Postmaster, but that they could not
90 into an election until the time expired, Mar.
1851. # 49,. ..,
In the Senate, the bill making appropriations for
repairing the Cumberland Dam, Ohio river,
came up. Mr.. Clay spoke in its favour. The
subject was passed over informally.
The Senate then proceeded to the special or.
der of the day, it being Mr.. Foote'S resolution,
declaring it to be the duty of the Government
to provide Territorial Government for the
Territories.
Mr.. Cass addressed the Senate at great length
on the Wilmot Proviso questionable common
ccd by stating, that there were two questions in
volved in the controversy respecting the Will
mot Provso. The first question was in relation
to its constitu tonalty. Second as to its expe-
dlcncy. He commenced by considering gener
ally the powers of Congress to legislatc over dis
tant TIE rritories, quoting various authorities in
favour of it. This claim of unlimited Legislation
he considered led to our revolutionary struggle.
He had listened with Amusement to the discus
sion of such subjccts-as if rights Of sovcrci gn-
ty were everything and the rights of man moth
ing. 1t is revival of the dispute between
Great Britain and her Colonies, in which VIC
have taken the place of Great Britain. He drew
distinction between the rights of unlimited
Legislation over distant regions, which have no
| representation, and the right to organize gov.
eminent, leaving details to the people.
In the District Of Columbia, Congress have
exclusive jurisdiction, but there were peculiar
reasons arising out of the situation of the Dis
trict, and the nature Of the original federal COM
pact. There is no clause of the Constitution
which gives Congress express power to pass any
law respecting slavery in the Territories. That
authority is derived foon various sources Ev.
cry construction Of the Constitution which
would give foreign Legislature power over sla-
very, would equally give power over every 9TH
social and political question in the Territories
If it were the intention to give Congress unlim-
tied power of Legislation over the Territories it
would have been so expressed. Mr. Cass then
entered upon an analysis of the various clauses
of the Constitution from which it has been at
tempted to derive this power over the Territories.
3 o'clock, P. NJ.
! Mr.. Cass gave way for executive session, and
the Senate adjourned without his concluding
Washington, JAM %.
A lengthy discussion arose in relation to the
appointment of temporary Doorkccpcr or 9
continuation of the old one.
The President sent in message in answer t.
the resolution of enquiry respecting California
The President says, after explaining the mat
, ter: did not hesitate to express to the peopl
Of those Territories my desire, that each shoul
) be prepared to comply with the rcquisition 0
the United States Constitution, and apply for ad
, mission into the Union ! did not authorize tn
establishment of any such government, withou
the consent of Congress; nor did | authorize an
government agent to influence the election
delegates, or control any conventions, in maxim
, or modifying, their domestic constitutions.
In the Senate Mr.. Webster submitted re:
olution, granting'to every male citizen of tn
y United States, who settles upon and cultivate
the same for three years, quarter section Of til
0 public lands; which resolution lies over. Til
Senate then resumed the special order Of the ia,
c Mr.. Cass having the floor, concluded his remark
, on the Wilmot Proviso.
: believe this Union will survive all the Gal
! gers with which it may be menaccd, howev.
u trying the circumstances in which it may be phi
G ced; but to maintain this proud position this i,
;ool ,ol,,
Y for the United States and so much for the wor
n depends, we should carefully avoid these di
n putes' so forcby deprecated by the Father
t. his Country, and cultivate spirit of mutual II
O gard, added to the considerations Of interes
e which hold us together. And sad will be tt
d day, when the first drop of blood is shed in pre-
= ervation Of this Union That day need new
e come, if the same spirit Of compromise and CO..
d cession by each to the feelings of all which al
?. mated our fathers, continues to animate US I'll
e our children. But, if powers, offensive to O,
t. portion of the country and of doubtful obligatit
ID to say the least of to be exercised by anot
s. err, under circumstances of peculiar cxcitemer
or the confederation must be rent in twain, lcayi,
ly another example of that judicial blindness wi
ir which God, in his providence, sometimes visi
re the sins of nations.
&c Now, sir, as a mere practical question, is Il
Legislative adoption of this Proviso advisable, wi
IN the hazard by which alone, it can be secured
of The Obstacles and dangers have briefly allud
to. There should be great advantages, ines
en- mable indeed, before such q measure is fore
m upon the country.
We Can any man believe, that they correspond
IT. all with the magnitude of the evil which mt
cy follow in their train? For myself, do not /
mt lieve the slightest good will result or would
H. suit under the most favourable circumstanc
vs. from this Congressional interference with t
as rights of the people Of the Territories. The
ed ject avowed, is, to prevent the introduction
st Slavery. Can it ever go there, if left withe
this prohibition believe it cannot: and belle
to there are very few here or elsewhere that thi
n, it can.
ms The Wilmot Proviso is urged upon the grou
- of its espediency, and it is opposed upon t
on ground of its unconstitntionality. Now, is Il
9TH ia;