Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-03-15

influenced III their action by persons acting
under the suggestions and authority OF the
Executive
/ aie also proceeded, with an effort, to show
that the action of California, and the Ex-
ecutive proposition for her admission into
the Union, was in direct violation of all
the past action of Congress. What now
would the Senate do? Much depended
upon their action If they admitted Cali
forna into the Union, they would sanction
all that she had done. Were Senators
prepared, in admitting her, TO surrender the
Constitution, in view of their oaths to sup
port the Constitution He denied that
there was any such State as California. 1t
had no legal existence, and could not have
without the sanction Of Congress. They
could not form a Constitution when Con-
gress had not given them leave so to do
How could gentlemen on the Whig side of
the chamber, after defeating the candidate
of the Democratic party (Cass) at the late
election-who took the ground that Con
gress had no power of legislation-now
turn around and admit State upon the
ground that she had exercised this very
power which had been denied in the Presi-
dental contest? How could those gentle
men who voted on the Oregon question
against the position that Congress had the
sole and absolute power of legislating for
the Territories now propose to sanction
course directly the reverse What did all
this mean? Were they TO conclude that
the exclusion of the South from the terri
tory acquired from Mexico, as an object of
such paramount importance, that right, us-
tlce, consistency, and the Constitution,
must all yield thereto There was but
one way by which the Union could be
saved, and that was by the full and final
settlement-upon the principles of justice
OF all the questions at issue between the
two sections.
The South asked for simple justice-less
than that she ought not to take. She had
10 compromise to offer but the Constitu-
tion, and could make no surrender or con-
cession. By satisfying the South, she
could remain honorably and safely in the
Union, and thereby restoring tranquility.
Could this be done ! Yes, easily-not by
the weaker party-for it could not protect
the stronger. The North had
only to do Justice by conceding to the South
a participation in the territories-her duty
by causing the arrest and delivery of fugi-
tive slaves-by ceasing the agitation of the
slavery question, and to provide an amend
ment of the Constitution, such as would
restore to the South the power to protect
herself, which she possessed before the
equilibrium between the sections was de-
stroyed by the action of the government.
Would the North agree to this Yes, If
her love for the Union was half as great as
her professions. At all events, the respon
sibility of saving the Union rested on the
North and notupon the South. The South
could not save it by any sacrifice of hers,
and the North might save 1t without sacri-
fee. If the question was not now settled,
there was no telling when II would be. If
you, said Mr.. Calhoun, cannot agree to
settle these questions on the principle OF
justice and duty, say so, and let the States
we represent agree TO separate-part in
peace. If YOU are unwilling we should
part in peace, tell us so, and we shall know
what to do when you reduce the question
tc submission or resistance. If YOU remain
silent, you will compel MS to infer what
YOU intend. In that case California will
become the test question. Ii you admit
her under all the difficulties that oppose
her admission, you compel us TO infer that
YOU intend 10 exclude US from the whole
of the acquired territories, with the nten-
ton of destroying irretrievably the equill-
brium between the two sections. We
would be blind not TO perceive that IN that
case that your real objects are power and
aggrandizement, and infatuated not to act
accordingly. In conclusion he repeated
that he had all along endeavored to repel
these aggressions of the North by arrest
ing the agitation, with the intention OF saw
ing the Union, if possible-and If not, to
save the section where his lot had been
cast. Having done his duty, let what
would come, he would be free from all
responsibility.