The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-23

sons OF the administration and its friends to defeat M
measure Had IL been adopted the question would hav
been settled, the people would have been satisfied ans
the country would never have been brought to its presen
state OF agitation and danger Of disunion.
hope dlsunlon may never come | shall struggle q
long and as earnestly any 10 prevent its coming
hut il does come. shall proclaim it as coming in
great degree and that its prevention at least failed from
troubles on this subject before. We have frequently ha
troubles and excItements The characteristic distinction
between our country and the countries OF Europe is
that when we have troubles Of this kind. and excite
ment which nobody can the end Of they are solved
quietly, and without the least disturbance by machine
~ winch we have. and which they have not and that
| the ballot-box
In lS44, the country about as much excited on the
Texas annexation question il is the subject o
California Resolutions were passed by Legislatures
North and South II then happened to be the turn OF the
noHhern States to talk about disunion, and they de-
cared--l do not know how many States--f Texas was
annexed, that they would withdraw from the Union
(Slr Adams who had been honored with the presidency
OF the United States declared that annexation would be
taniamount to dissolution OF the Union There were
then great excitement and danger when the election Of
November, 1874, came on. While this question was
raging, the candidates did that OCCASION what public
men should always do and i had been their habit
previously 70 do-they declared their opinions these
subjects, and the questions which submitted
the people One of the candidates in favor of the
annexation Of Texas, the other against IT, Il was warm
contest such contests ever but peaceabe and led
to no difficulties. What was done What was the re.
suit. Why the very next Congress after the light at the
baot-box, the Texas question was settled quietly
There was nothing to do but TO call up the bill for the
admission OF Texas, and il was admitted, matter of
course, as much the Inauguration of the President
because the people had settled the question been
the case IN the last election the question OF the adj
mission OF CALIFORNIA; and grounds had been taken clear
and distinct and the people had voted it, Congress
would have acquiesced IN it. But that was not the case
at least on one side But the history OF that mailer is
before the country and will pursue here AT any
rate, one OF the unfortunate causes Of this difficulty was
that grounds were not taken this subject by one oi
the candidates: If they had been, the difficulty could
have been settled and the people would have acquiesced
in it. beg that those who are connected with the ad-
ministraiion will consider. when they reproach with
sentiments OF dsunion that the world and poserity will
decide that the first movement in favor OF dsunion
from them, and IN the way have described.
Well Mr. President, we lost that opportunity Of set
Ting the question. The Walker amendment reject
ed. What was the consequence! What was the next
move Congress adjourned without doing anything II
well known that IN the course OF the previous discus
sl0ns the opinion announced that the difficulty might
be obvated By the people of California If they adopted
State constitution and admitted into the Union
believe Il is fact that some members of Congress
wrote their friends in California on this subject
myself said to my friends going there. that il the people
themselves should meet and make constitution, would
agree to it, But il s because the people were not per
mtted 10 act spontaneously but that others nteered
that am now opposed to IFS admission. The next move
was the extraordinary embassy Of Mr. Kinga gentleman
from Georgia-to California Now, what Is strange
about the act of the administration with regard 10 the
Walker amendment and this movement is, that when
Congress offered them full power, and authorized them
e DO everything necessary. they rejected j. They ssd
ter and defeated it The very next day, or soon after
Congress- adjourned. they assumed not only the powers
which would have been given them BY Congress, but
other and extraordinary powers
How Is this to be accounted fors They would not take
any authorization from Congress as We offered them.
ing men here to defeat il; they declined any action on
the part of Congress- but the Congress out
of sight they sent out this ambassador TO California, TO
exercise powers far extraordinary than would
could have been given them BY Congress.
Well sir, il has become the fashion TO deny this
have il frequently the press and elsewhere
perhaps il will be denied upon this floor; but, sir the
facts too strong be got Il is rather wonder
that, in transaction unexamped culpable,
pecedened any OF have been left the records
OF this government Attempts have been made to
ceal bot sir, the ways Of Providence are such that
the very cunnnges design to conceal crimes very often
leads 10 their detection So il has been in this instance
The very desire to conceal has led to the discovery
Look at the instructions Of the Secretary Of State 10 Mr.
King. There stronger attempt to conceal
Perhaps that distinguished individual had the idea oil
Taeyrandhat language is not made express ideas.
but conceal them Perhaps that might be very good
doctrine in the hands OF Taeyrand or such man; bul
seems to have worked wonderfully bad in the hands
oil the Secretary OF State for, far from conceaing his
idea ii reveals Them about as distinctly as il he had
written them in many words
Here is the celebrated despatch TO Mr. King. II CON-
mences IN these words:
you fully possessed Of The Presidents views, and
cap with propriey, suggest 10 the people Of California the
adoption OF measures beet calculated 10 them eectp
Now Mr.. President what were the views of the Presi-
dent' They are not disclosed in the despatch They
do appear the files OF the Secretary OF State They
were communicated only TO Mr. King. .'You are pos
sessed Of the views OF the President = but what these
vews They are not before us, sir. ls il customary.
SIR 10 leave these instructions 10 the memory OF abas
safors and persons going out missions OF this kind
Mr King was the confidential agent OF the government.
Why conceal any communication from him Why not
give him the means to refresh his memory Oh, no
He possessed OF the views OF the President" and
therefore they not contained in The despatch he
sent
Now, ask, what were these viewss The impression
upon my mind strong that cannot doubt what they
One o the 10 be impressed upon the people Of
California was, that they should adopt such provision
would The strongest party here and therefore, that
be decided and put out OF the way That, sir, is the
proper inference, II that the only language in this
celebrated despatch But that IL the only language
Let proceed little further Here is the despatch itself
relating to this point;
"Yon fully possessed OF the Presidents views and oan
with proprey uggest 70 the people Of California the adop
ton OF best calculated give effect 1Hsse
msasmss must, Of cowr, Utgnafs solely uifh fhsmssr
Assure them Of the sincere desire OF Execuive OF the
United States and defend them in the formation
be submed TO Congress- schteh shall Be the rsss Of ths
ocn detbsaie ch0srs bwf let b. at The ffs dfsffnef
~ undestood bg h, thar The pas Of sueh goryHpsaf
.sri sh fhmsstre and psiho 'hs i1essnes o
"The avs ofCafonia and New Mexico, 40 they exised
al the conclusion thc OF Gaadaupe Hfdago
lang the relations of tho inhabitants with each other, al
necessarily remain In fofce in the Territories Ineir re
and new relations ceated between them aud the govern
eni OF the United States but the existing laws regulating
the relations Of the people with each othe will 'ntnus
until Others lawfully enacted shall supersede them. Our
un VA mil arv