Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-18
THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION.


presence in Washington of the gentlemen elected
to Congress from California, was we'll illustrated
by the remarks of several Senators, on Thursday
when the Presidents message communicating the
California constitution was under consideration.
Mr.. Douglas, the previous day, had moved to
refer the message 10 the committee on Territories.
Mr.. Benton had moved to refer it to select COM
mittee of FIVE, with Mr.. Clay as Chairman And
Mr.. Foote had moved to refer the message. to-
gether with all the pending propositions concern
ing the subject Of slavery, to special committee
of fifteen. The Vice President said the question
would be first on the motion of Mr.. Douglas. We
insert the remarks then made by Mr.. Douglas and
Mr. Clay, for the purpose of showing what inn
portant results may be made to hang upon a mere
question of priority in the business of legislation:
Mr. DOUGLAS would state that, if it was the wish OF
the Senate to refer this paper together with all the other
bills that had been introduced upon the subect-the bill
OF thesenaor from Missouri, Mr. Benton that OF the
senator from Mississippi mr.. Foote and other propo-
sitonswith the hope OF compromising the whole ques-
tonif this the DESIRE he would not wish to inter-
pose any objection to the reference to such committee
1t washis own opinion that it better to bring in the
California bill by itself 1t for these reasons that he
had made the motion to refer to the committee on Ter
rltores that It might be brought in by itself Ii the
could not vote for the proposition, he should nerpose
no objection
Mr. CLAY inquired if there proposition before
the Senate to refer this and all other subjects of similar
character 10 a select committee? There had been an
intimaon Of such purpose, and he wished to inquire
whether it had been actually introduced?
MIR. tooTE stated that his motion had been made and
his proposition had been informally laid upon the table
Tor the purpose OF being printed.
The VICE PRESIDENT stated that, in consequence of
this state facts the proposition of the Senator from
NllSSSlSSlDDl, FOOte0 no thp
Mr. CLAY. We'll, sir, if the proposition be to refer the
Presidents message, and the Constitution OF California,
which accompanies it, to tbs Committee on Territories,
shall with great pleasure vote for the proposition But
do not think it would be right to embrace in general
notion the question Tor the admission of California,
and all the other subjects which are treated of by the
solutions upon the table the subject for example of the
establishment OF territorial governments the subject of
the Establishment of line for Texas and the proposition
to Texas by which that attempt is accompanied do
not think would be right to combine all these subjects
and to throw them all upon one Committee. | think
the subject OF the admission OF California ought to be
kept separate and distinct although for one I should
have no Objection that being separated from the residue
OF the subjects OF these resolutions, that the of them
so Tar as they have any kindred and common nature
SHOULD be referred at proper time, to some committee
There are three or four members of Congress who
have come here all the way from the Pacific with a
constitution purporng to be the constitution of the State
OF California, and asking TO be admitted member
OF this Union. Now, sir, is it right to subject them to
all the delay the uncertainty, the pocraStinaon which
must inevitably re:ult from a combination OF all these
and our waiting It'll that committee shall have adjusted
the whole! L think not. | am not asking whether
California ought to be ought not to be admited whe-
ther she ought to be or ought not TO be admitted with
the boundary which she proposes, with any other
boundary But l am coutendng that considering the
circumstances under which the representatives pre-
sent themselves to Congress; considering the crcum-
stance that when they left their homes perhaps nothing
upon earth further from their expectations than that
there would be the slightest impeachment obstacle to
their admission into the Union; under the present stua-
nt tho hare,
halls OF Congress- think it right that should decide,
and decide as promptly as we decide, consistently
with just and good deberatou think the question Of
the admission 81 California should stand by ITSELF and
should stand unconneced with the other subjects of the
resolutions. Entertaining this view Of the matter
shall vote with pleasure tor the proposition of the
Tor from Illinois, Mr.. Douglass to refer this message
and constitution to the committee the Territories
might consent to another reference but if it go there
have no doubt it will go into safe hands.
MI. FooTE addressed the Senate in reply to Mr. Clay
Ills remarks withheld for revision and the subse-
quent debate depending thereon, deferred for pubica
lion herewith
The debate being concluded
MI BENTON moved to amend the motion to refer to
the committee the Territories, by adding thereto the
following, viz:
with instructions report bill for the admission of
the State OF California unconnected with any other sub
ject'
Pending the question upon the amendment,
The Senate adjourned.
tits perfectly clear from what was said by Mr..
Douglas and Mr.. Clay, that the application of Ca
liforna for admission as State is to be pressed
upon Congress as a single proposition. We
deeply regret to find Mr.. Clay, even whilst he has
before the Senate, general scheme for the set
Element of the whole sectional controversy
yielding to the idea that the presence of Messrs
Gwin, Gilbert and Wright in the purlieus
of the Capitol entities the demand of Cali
For, it may be readily seen that if the
naked question of the admission of Califor
mia be first taken up and disposed Of, the interests
of the South may be irretrievably compromised
TO admit the Senators and Representatives from
the Free Soil State of California now, and after.
wards to appeal to the North to abandon the Will
mot Proviso as to the Territories, would be te
commit as grievous blunder as that of Mr.. Polk
in extending the Wimot Proviso to Oregon
whilst the dispute remained unsettled as to the
country South of $500. The plain policy o.
Southern Senators and Representatives is TO bat.
North shall agree to final and satisfactory set
Element of the slavery question.
But whilst we say this, we must not be under
stoodas sanctionng. in any degree, the hue and
cry which Southern Democratic leaders, more Sc
dulous to serve their party than to sustain South
ern interests, are endeavouring to raise against
President Taylor course in relation to California.
We have applauded, and still approve, his mea-
sure of recognising the validity of the Mexican
laws, far as they were not inconsistent with the
constitution. By that act, he probably saved Ca
lifornia from scenes of desolation and bloodshed
which the mind revolts at contemplating Mel
Their do we condemn his invitation to the people
of California to frame form of State Government
TO be submitted to the acceptance of Congress-
We utterly discredit the imputation of Democra.
tic journals and orators in Congress, that the anti
slavery clause of the California constitution was