The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-17
REMARKS OF Mr.. CLEMENS.
ON THE CALIFORNIA BILL.

IN SENATE, luksDAv, .1ugusf -, 1850
MIR. CLEMENS. Unjust ask few minutes OF he
time or the Senate TO express my opinions on the
subject now under consideration know, sir. that
this bill is to pass; know that any thing / can
say here will have no effect to prevent its passage
and, under these considerations, had determined
TO content myself with giving silent vote against
it. Some of my friends, however, have this morn
ing suggested that few remarks from me might
not be altogether out of place
> In obedience TO their wishes, propose to state
FATHER in the form Of protest than speech. the
reasons why object to the passage Of this bill.
Those reasons have been heretofore stated and
arguedNt length by myself and others shall
do nSthHG more to-day than recapftulate the main
poxDB, reSonapg for another time and another
i.htre, any Nwsstf~Red discussion of topics
which cannot now be lherwise than wearisome
here.
object to the passage q the bill because there
has been no censiss takerfepf the inhabitants,
either by Federal or ferritoHk law. and this Sen.
ate has no evidence Aat at fhe formation of the
consolation Z IRE was d r,tnber of free i.b,bit.
ants wehin 4 limits dEalifornia sefc;en a'i 70
entitle her TO tne representative, much less two.
! object TO it because no Territorial government
wassver estahlisbsdln California by law. | OBJ
1e<to II beOoQ1e there was no law of Congress-
fx1u sboundaries, and no law authorizing the
formation OF a constitution and State government.
Above all object to it because il is the offspring
OF Executive usurpation. The convention was
called together, organized, and completed it's sit
tngs under military auspices. That clause of the
constitution which prohibits slavery was notori-
ously adopted expressly to exclude one-half OF
the States OF this Union from an equal participa-
ton in the fruits of war in which Southern and
Northern blood was freely mingled, and Southern
and Northern treasure was lavishly expended.
These objections are not now stated for the frs,
time. urged them long ago And in all the de-
bate which has followed, | must be permitted to
say, they have not been answered On the con.
trary, they have been admitted The force OF
them, however, is sought TO be evaded.by the 8.
sertion, that, although many irregularities have
unquestionably attended the application of Cali.
forum for admission State, yet these irreg,l.
larities may be, and ought to be overlooked in
consideration Of the extraordinary circumstance,
Of the case. That Congress having failed TO pro
vide government for California, il was the rigb,
of the people TO establish one for themselves
which we are pow bound 20 recognize This ar.
gumenf would not be altogether without force 4
California and the majority in Congress were III,
only parties IN interest. III the rights OF no ON,
else were affected, the majority might atom,
for a former wrong by dispensing with the usus
guards and securities. Such, however, is not tb,
case There are, unfortunately, two interests in thi,
Governments Northern and Southern interest
IL becomes necessary, therefore, to know which
one OF these interests perpetrated the first wrong
and which is TO be benefited by that now oroposed
III IL be true that both sections are equally 4,
blame for refusing to give a territorial government
10 California, or il it be true that the Southern
States alone are guilty, then, sir, we would hav,
no right to complain If that wrong should b,
urged as an argument against us now The re
cord, however, shows that such was not the csse
In addition TO that record, if more were needed
we-have the published declarations Of the senate
from New York, (Mr SEwARp) that he himseI
was mainly instrumental in causing the defeat q
the territorial bill. The Northern interest dene,
government to California, and now, when the,
are TO be benefited by the admission Of California
this outrage is converted into an argument, ane
We are gravely asked assent TO the doctrine tina
two wrongs make a right
lheiaiure 10 give California government wal
no fault Of ours. Upon what principle, then, i
the North to be rewarded for a sin she did commit
and the South punished for earnestly endenyorins
10 prevent it's commission Sir, feel bound ts
say that Loyola never had more ingenious or NOR,
interruptions disciples than those who reason NJ
ter this fashion. A wrong was done TO Caforpi,
and to US. in refusing Territorial government
Now another wrong Is to be heaped upon us be
cause OF the first. The story OF the scapegoat
TO which we listened not long since, has found il,
prototype IN the history of the Southern people
We have been dragged TO the verge Of a precipice
and are about to be.hurled down backwards fol
the sins OF others, not our own.
IL is necessary thstI should refer here, Mr.. Pre-
sident, To a few remarks which were made by tn,
senator from Michigan yesterday, and regret