The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-14

Mr.. STANTON, OF Tennessee, moved 10 recon
slider the vote just taken and then proceeded TO dis
cuss u circumstances which led 10 the formation
of the dohstituton of California.
Mr.. p. KING called the gentleman to order ON
the ground of irrelevancy.
The SPEAKER decided that, by the uniform
practice Of the House, the entire merits of the ques
Mr.. STANTON resumed. He said that the as
pec of the question of slavery greatly changed
from what it was during the last Congress. He de-
plored the necessity which compelled him 10 say,
not for the better AT the last session, the symp-
toms OF the disease were alarming, yet at that
of affairs, il must have yielded to remedies Judi
ciously adopted and firmly administered. He
feared that the disease chronic and nveterate,
extending toevery part of the body polite, and the
subtle poison has been infused throughout the sys-
tenn. We have observed that one fourth of the Pc
Rod usually allotted TO a session has been con-
each election, from the Speaker down to Door
keeper, this question comes in as a necessary and
iatal element. Ii the proper means had been re-
sorted to, the slavery excitement would have been
banished in an hour, and the Union secured for an
indefinite period But, by the course of events and
the action of the President, the question has been
complicated. II not only involves the consideration
OF constitutional questions and sectional Justice but
II mas drawn into the vortex weighty questions of
constitutional law, territorial dependency, and
high political expcdiency.
Mr. T. KING again rose to point of order, but
Inc SPEAKER thought that the gentleman was
within the rule; and
Mr.. STANTON continued This Administra-
ton was obliged to change its 'front.' to reconcile
both its northern and southern friends, and its only
salvation was in changing its shape and form so
to conceal its disgrace from the eyes of the people.
The policy of Mr.. Buchanan with regard to the
Territories was pillar of fire to guide statesmen in
these dark and perilous times In the letter of that
gentleman was seen the true relations existing be-
tween the General Government and the people of
California. There was attempt to alter the rcla
nj hnx otn 1a.s Il. 4l.C
situation. The policy of Mr.. Buchanan, while Sec.
rotary Of State, was to march up and settle the
question consistently with the Constitution and the
rights OF the people. In that day, however, there
was faction on the part of some, and faltering on
the part of others and Mr. Buchanan staked his
political existence on this decisive movement. He
sought not to avoid the true issue. But General
Taylor was stimulated by duplicityand fraud. He
than to the President himself. The President as
suIned powers, Legislative and judicial, not autho-
rized by the Constitution.
Mr.. King impressed with the Presidents
views, which could have been impaired only in the
secrecy of cabinet consultation and in tones which
swelled not above the vaulted ceiling; and the
proof OF which importation exists only with the
cabinet who offered and the agent who received
the verbal instructions. In all history there was
found nothing parallel to this, unless in legal acu-
men, where asperson attempts avoid the fact that
deed Of conveyance is fraudulent, by solemnly
declaring that there is fraud in the transaction
1t is difficult to sec that instructions not given
on the subject OF slavery, and the proof to be
clear that the President enacted the Wilmot pro-
viso for 1t is contained in the constitution which
the President, through his agent, advised.
Mr.. DUER understood the gentleman to say
that Mr. King had advised the people Of California
to exclude slavery.
Mr.. STANTON said that Mr.. King was sent to
convey to the people of California the wishes of the
President, and the terms which the President
supposed that State could be admitted into the
Union.
Mr.. DUER propounded question, which we did
not hear with distnctness; to which
MIR. STANTON replied that the secret of the
Presidents opinion had been disclosed by the mis-
sion OF Mr.. King. The crime against the high
est interests of half Of this Confederacy and the
existence Of the Union itself 1t was not blunder,
for a blundcr Is excusable. The President had in
terered with the qualifications of voters, arranged
pseudo boundary, and settled Questions which had
never been settled except by the authority of Con-
gress. The old question presented, and the
South was called on to abandon all precedents VIC
late all laws, trample the Constitution and sane
ton the groesest usurpations and bring upon them
selves the very evils against which they have been
30 long struggling; and TO place themselves in the
strongest possible state of duress The question is
presented in the shape of a constitution. and the
South were to be placed in positions as seeming
to refuse 10 give TO the people of California their
rights. more enterprising, intelligent popula-
ton than California not to be found on the face
of the globe. No doubt they will be as capable of
governing themselves any other people, and in
Due due tune wll be entitled to govern:themselve.
violate fundamental principle OF law to admit
them into the Union. II would be fatal to the South
and would render the Union valueess TO them; fatal
If new star should arise from the broken fragments
OF the Constitution surrounded by the dark cloud
OF Executive usurpation.
He believed with the gentleman from Alabama,
(Mr. lNeE,) that the Wilmot proviso was dead.
Where is the gentleman who has the doubtless dis
trsRrfi of erua A.
All the green honors have withered and persisted
The policy OF the northern men not TO permit
II 10 pass and they must take that course in order
70 sustain the policy Of the President Mr. s. spoke
Tor himself and his constituents, when he said that
he would be utterly false If he could hesitate in his
course California never be admitted into the
Union as a State with a compromise. The re-
sponsibility must rest on those who have given
cult to remand her again into a territorial condi-
ton. II this could be DONE all miglA be well but
i was attended by insuperable objections, and
the difficulty remains TO be solved
He heard the first low rumbling, and felt the
iDcipient vibrations Of the shock which was TO
rend the Union asunder. How long is outrage
TO be endured? Brotherly love had gone, and there
was soon TO be indignation. He feared that there
had grown up settled hate. If any man desires TO
restore the Union IL can be done only by restoring
The Constitution in its pristine purity, and ceasing
now and forever, from internal warfare made on
The most Vulnerable rights and interests OF the
oouth. Inc dinculty was not TO dissolve the
Union, but 10 preserve il. II will require all the
wisdom, moderation, and prudence Of your CLAWS,
CAssEs, BucHANANs, WEBsTERs, and other great
men, 10 resist the downward tendency of events.
II IL can be done, he would hail Il with profound
10y. II California be forced upon the South in
spite their circumstances and by unconstitutional
means, without a compromise, such as may arise
1ut Of the agitation, be would be ready 10 make
struggle ON this ground and he would be prepared
10 abandon the Union, IL the Union no longer ena-
bled the South to preserve her interests and her
ust rights.
Mr.. VINTON obtained the floor, and, at his in
stance, the motion to reconsider was laid on the
able.
Several executive communications were laid be-
ore the House, and appropriately referred.
The House concurrod in the amendment adopted
o-dsy by the Senate, TO the joint resolution limit
ng the expense Of collecting the revenue for the
present fiscal year
The resolution from the Senate, proposing to au-
horize the employment Of a special clerk by the
supreme Court, having been read,
Mr.. BAYLY expressed the hope that Il would
how be put on its passage. He said that the Judges
we're old men, and IL necessary that their deci
lions, intcrlined and hurriedy written, should be
properly transcribed, and the clerk necessary
otherwise TO assist, and must be Of the legal pro-