Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-11-23


blame Of It's defeat coalition which had been form
ed to push through by main strength in opposition to the
real wishes OF Congress- began dnounce not only the Pre-
sdent but the members Of his Cabinet because 0ud not
press public opinion in its favor Another meeting naturally
followed in opposition to it, which resolutions were adopted
to the Administration and particularly
Of its members II is needless for me say you that
did not prompt either Of the meetings. and knew nothing Of
the proceedings of either until they published Yet
when the proceedings Of the latter laid before the Senate
of the United States, charge distinctly made that was
the author OF the resolutions and when that charge de-
MED by one OF your Senators-my esteemed friend, Mr.
Wales now presen-a charge which you all know be
tery and absolutely untrue, persisted in and believe
reacted. [Cheers and sensation All this was but
part Of general plan to lay the failure Of the omnibus
President Taylor and his Administration But Providence
have dee mined that this scheme should fail and be
exposed In the midst Of all the camor about the pers Of
the UnioD the President died. and Administration came
power Some weeks elapsed during which the propos
ed compromise, instead Of gaining, lost strength the
In the House there never possible chance for
its passage consisted of heterogeneous details each
OF which had been originated in separate resolution
bill proposed at the previous session, former
sion. To carry through it amended in any and every
way by which could get another vote and finally though
all in the shape in which it originally introduced
the whole project, after drac,ing the country for long
PERIOD and eectuay preventing the passage of any
for the public good any other subject voted down
This long after the death of President Taylor and the
dissolution OF Caonet, made papable
the world that it impossible he could be the Of its
defeat The obstruction caused by this bill being once re-
moved the way opened for the first effective motion to-
wards the settlement Of these questions, which promptly
made by a distinguished Senator from MARYLAND (Mr.
PEARcE) He grappled at once with the principal difficulty
attending the whole adustmenthe question of the Texas
boundary. He took that single measure By ITSELF made
boundary line, different from and more satisfactory than
that proposed in the omnibus; and to him emineny
far than any oher-due the credit of its passage
a Ha
the of the other necessary acts Of legislation Know
ing that impossible lit the weight of oil
these ncongruous measures at time, in he
paraed Them and, other men in ordinary life accus-
toned conquer difficulties, he resolved to take them in de-
TAIL He did me the honor consult me the subject of
his bill before its introduction and did not hesitate to advise
him perevere in the he proposed The result
The bill be introduced, uncogged by other
sures passed in few days without difficulty, and by
large majority and have doubted that if the same
had been pursued the Of the session.
Congress and the nation would have been saved months
Of unnecessary distraction and alarm. [Applause.l
Viewing all the in common with this subject at
this they passed Congress, far from saying they
the best that could have been adopted The settlement
of the Texas boundary by the Judiciary the Congress Of
the United States, President Taylor recommended would
have been in my judgment more consistent with the honor
and dignity of the Government and would have saved
from the effects Of precedent which will be invoked
future occasion, when State shall seek take the law
into her own hands, to induce the Government submit
imposition under the pretext Of buying peace. But ad
usment Of the boundary by Congress the Judiciary had
become mpraccabe in consequence Of the encouragement
held out to Texas resist until she should be paid for her
acquescence.
AS to the Territorial Governments of New Mexico and
Utah, Of would be among the last to object to their
organization the principles of my bill which passed
the Senate years before. These Territorial bills provide
for the very had myself proposed and
strongly recommended and individually perfectly
tent with the adoption OF my own scheme Of settlement 50
far these Territories concerned should have been
satisfied with the admission of State Government in New
Mexico well California with constitution settling the
question Of slavery according the will Of her people.
But have not yet ceased to depore, aud fear that shall
hereafter have much to depore, the failure of
the bill had proposed account Of the dissatisfaction
pressed in the South with the admission Of the State Of
California
So far regards California the adjustment of the vexed
question by submitting it TO the judicial tribunals would as
Mr. Polk affirmed and now repeat, have terminated the
forever without any of that dissatisfaction now
raging in the South 1t impossible that any Southern
State, and especially that South Carolina, could have
nued the agitation it now exists with the votes Of Calhoun
Butler, Burt, Rhet and all the distinguished Of the
delegation Of South Carolina in favor Of the BILL backed by
The Of Mason, Hunter, Davis of Mississippi, Beren
and every Southern Senator and Representative except Mess
Badger, Toombs, Stephens and two three Others The
settlement of the question by this mode would have been final
and conclusive would have been satisfactory all par
lies Our people law abiding people, and the whole
proposition simply that both parties should agree 60
law before the Supreme Court Of the United States and abide
The result Duty, honor and seErepect would have COM
PEELED all sections Of the country 10 submit to the decision
No man feels himself disgraced by who is beaten in law
suit sheer question Of law after full and fair trial. The
would have saved the honor of both parties in any
event. Leading Southern statesmen, with whom was
socaed in the Senate at the me often said to me, during
The progress of the bill through that body, that let the dec
sion 60 it might the honor Of the South saved by the
lender to her Of fair trial before impartial tribunal and
,he would be satisfied But when this bill defeated in
he House the impression Immediately made upon the
deliberate intention the other side to disregard Southern
rights and ampe them in the dust Ever since the session
Of lS47 that feeling has ranked in the Southern bosom.
. "Hsret Lateri Athais arundo"
And now the admission Of Calfornis with constitution
prohibiting slavery without the benefit of the trial demanded
the South has produced alienation from the Of the
Confederacy among mistaken gentlemen in that REGION
which, pray God, in his mercy, may give way the
generous impulses which properly belong to and grace
the Southern character. Applause
And now, my fellowcitzens, have to say, that have
nothing in the adopted by Congress which
have referred which should excite any portion Of this Union
resistance against the established authorities of the counry
and think it is the duty Of every good citizen, whether he
does does think that other and better might
have been substituted in their place. not only to submit the
laws which have been enacted but stand by and support
the Government necessary, to the full extent Of his ability
in carrying those laws into successful execution Applause
That President Fillmore will do his whole duty this
spect have not shadow Of doubt; aud hope you all
willing to Join with in sustaining him in the discharge Of
that duty Applause and frequent cheers In his patriotism,
and sat Of the members Of his Cabinet, have the utmost
confidence. have believe that either Of them
would have refused his a at any moment to the settlement
Taylor They have acquesced in what appeared to them to
be the ONLY practicable schee adustnp these difficulties