Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1850-03-02

servers Of The proceedings OF the different Legs
laures; and have noted with more than ordinary
interest. the action OF members Of Congress upon
this important question, now agilating the whole
country. As citizen Of the South devoted to
Southern institutions, the constitution Of the L.
+ S. the rights of the South and the Union as Is.
ablished by our iorealhers, we now feel it our
duty 10 speak freely and to say to our triends,thai
darker cloud than ever overspread our fair
land, is rapidly gathering and spreading itsell
over US.
4 We believe that these impending dangers have
been brought upon US by the wickedness ofnorh.
ern hna,ieism. 1t is useless to spend time in
summing up the causes which have led 10 these
unhappy results. The storm is now raised. The
ocean is in commotion. The vessel Is in danger,
II is the duty of all to speak and act with frmness
and prudence; to look to the means of rcscuing
/ ourselves from the threatened destruction.
The watchword should he manly and harmo,
nous resistance to all further encroachments up.
on the constitutional rights ofthe South and
standing upon this imprcgnable ground, from
which there must be no retreat, let us act upon
the purest principles ofjusice, and the most ce
waited patriotism towards every member of the
whole Union. Let us not he urged by the wrongs
and insults which have been done us by the
North, to demand what is unconstitutional or un>
just but in the oupourings Of an homes, indgna-
ton, let us regard, most sacredly, the rights ofal
over whom the constitution extends its protection
| giving to all encompassed by it, however distant
and separated by rivers and mountains, the hrh
heritage Of brothers of the grea, American fam,
y.
With these principles, whatever be our fate,
we will stand justified by ourselves, by the tue,
hearted, even OF the North; and in the eyes Of he
civilized world,
Another question, now under consideration, by
the Legislature OF this State, should California
be admitted as a Statel fnot discussed with wis,
dom, is calculated to add 10 the difficulties now
existing between the North and the South.
The State of Georgia, alone, of The Southcra
States, has passed a resolution against the admis,
sion Of California. One ofthe resolutions report.
ed by the committee on Federal Relations in our
Legislature, is opposed to the admission Of Cali.
ornia.
The people Of California, by delegates in con.
vention, have framed such constitution as they
wish for their organic law as state; under the
provisions of this constitution, they have elected
their Governor and other State officers their mem.
bers to the Senate and House ofRepresentatives
Of the United States and have established courts
oimstice for the administration of the laws. This
constitution has been published in many of the
papers Of the State, and we presume bias been
read by most Of our citizens. That it is rcpub-
can in all It's features, and well framed 10 secure
the people of that country, life, liberty and pri,
vate property, none will deny.
With this constitution, California askes to be
admitted into the Union, and become a member
OF our great conlederacy of states. Shall lhatre
quest be denied her!
The Constitutional poper Of Congress to admit
California is not questioned, her right to admis-
sion, is guaranteed by the late treaty between the
United States and Mexico.
In full view then fthe power Of Congress, and
the indubilable rights of the inhabitants Of Cali.
fornia, the question proposed, should she be ad
mittedl
Those who oppose the admission Of California,
do it upon the ground, that by the constitution,
formed as the paramount law to govern her as a
State the introduction Of slaves are prohibited
There are other objections urged, but they are
such as may be readily obviated by Congress;
such for instance as the limits aud boundaries Of
the State; the formation oincw states, DC. DIFF.
fcultes Of this character may bc removed, by
proper conditions in the act Of admission. They
are such as have arisen. and in all probability
will always arise in the application ola State for
admission into this Union where no act had pre-.
vously been passed by Congress, establishing
Territorial Government The sound discretion
Of Congress must settle these. The right to do
SO is denied by no one.
The Resolution ofthis state did not originate
from any objection to the boundaries of Califor~
MIA. The size oil the State would undoubtedly be
an inconvenience to the people Of the State; but
that Inconvenience, it is not probable would be
much felt by the citizens Of other States, and we
may add that those most likely to suffer from the
Inconvenience, would be most active in seeking
Tor remedy. But upon this point we have heard
OF no particular complaint; from the CaIiiornians.
What weight is the objection entitled to, that
California has excluded the institution of slavery
The constitution is for their government, as
State. Who doubts that this right results from