Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-02

of the territory acquired by us from Mexico. lie holds
directly contrary opinion to mine, as he has perfect
right do and winot quarrel about that difference
OF opinion.
But, sir sincerity regret, as have before stated,
discussion upon these resolutions at this time, tor could
show and at proper time would show, that the propo-
ston which make of leaving the subject Enacted upon
with regard to without any declaration either
for or against itleaving the question entirely open-l
say could show that It is much better proposition, as
far the interests of the South concerned, than
the extending the Missouri line 10 the Pacific unless you
should couple with that which the Senator from MIS-
sssppl knows 10 be impossible dec aration or plovl
sion for the introduction OF slavery south OF that line
Mr.. DAVIS. The. Senator from Mississippi knows
that.
Mr.. CLAY. And | say, sir in my place, that con
slider tits much bettertor the South that the whole sub
lect should be open both sides OF an imaginary
lneior instance, the line OF So deg 80 min.than that
slavery should be nterdcted positively north OF Sc deg
30 min., with freedom to introduce establish slave
ry south ofthat ne according the will OF the people
and the proposition thatI have made is infinitely better
tor the South than the opposition which the Senator has
suggested unless he could persuade Congress to adopt
his proposition to declare positively and absolutely the
right to introduce slavery south ofEtha line, Now, all
this could have shown, and would have shown it ne
cessay in the progress OF the argument, il Senators had
not entered into discussion, and committed themselves
upon the question: they had chosen to wait and give
full and fair consideration to these resolutlons-to
view them system, and to view them lndepen-
IDENTIFY of each other But they have chosen to antci-
pate the argument and could not remain silent in JUS
tlce to myself.
Mr. DAVIS of Mississippi. The Senator from Ken
lucky rose with announcement that he wanted to
know my time for meeting him in argument, and have
told him that my time is now Several times has he
regretted this premature dscussion but pray, sir, who
introduced it, The Senator submitted his resolutions,
discussed them seriaim, and then concluded with set
speech Are we to understand that all this was done
without intending to influence opinion! Was it
volley Of blank cartridges that he firing, iii order
that he might up under OF the smoke, and
make charge upon US before we saw himl Why, sir,
at the door OF any other man might lie the charge OF
entering prematuely upon this dIcusson more properly
than at mine. He who began the discussion, and
was the last to engage in it, But he announces as his
conviction, his determined purpose, resist the in
PRODUCTION OF slavery into any part OF California. Sir,
his opinions may have been very deliberately formed
lie may have been all the time making up those deter
limitations, that he has been preparing these resoutlons
Tor certainly no language OF mine can have produced
the determination OF the Senator have not proposed
to compel Shareholders to take their slaves to California,
nor revive the African slave trade Neither the
construction warranted by my having used the word
upon whchh hangs his argument. did not use the
word ntroductlon, suggest the idea OF compuson
The Senator has set his courthouse, to show how
skilfuy he could knock it down. 1t is no fabric Of
mine We maintain that is the right OF the people of
the South to carry this species OF property to any por
ton Of the territories OF the United States; that it rests
under the constitution, upon the same basis as other
property; but when speaking OF compromise, 1t was
the ultimaum announced. 1t isstrange that the Sena-
tor from kentucky should be much surprised GER
tainly was not a new question with him, nor with his
colleague with whom, on a former occasion, similar
proposition originated. 1t is partial recognition OF
right we claim to be coextensve with the territories OF
the United States but willing in spirit of COM
promise, and in compliance with the past acquescence
OF the States to restrict lis extension by the parallel Of
Sc deg. 30 min. north.
Now, this is conceding great deal. If the line were
established upon any great principle arising from climate
productions, it would be different then the line
would not extend upon the parallel OF latitude Ii
it were line Of temperature, then as the isothernal
ma ard CO pt of
latitude Its out OF respect to the past and from anxious
desire peaceablyt adjust most vexauous and danger
GUS question, that we agree to adopt this arbitrary line
And this compromise, upon which most OF his fame rests
originated, under like circumstances, with the Senator
who with such settled purpose declares his oppo
son to fair application OF its principle to the present
case. Then all the territory involved, that OF Missouri,
was slave territory; the compromise act prohibited
slavery III part OF the territory Now, according to the
position OF the Senator, slavery is excluded from the
whole Territory OF California and New Mexico: What,
then, would the application Of the spirit OF the Missouri
compromise require? Clearly that in running the line
the question should be put rest by declaring that below
said line slavery should be permitted, 1t is pro-
pery OF the States and il it be proposed make dvi
sion, fairness and future peace require that the rights and
conditions oil each part should be prescribed Less than
this would but the ground and preserve the con-
troyersy And unless that compromise was founded in
fraud its application in this where all is disputed,
demands express provisions on both sides OF the line.
We cannot agree to leave the question open, especially
after what has been said to-day the effect and not
Tile 10TH COnSlQ6l uuty w
matters it wheher be under cover OF the acts Of the
Mexican Government, or by the operation OF Congress
slonal law that slavery is excluded The effect Is the
same, whatever rule the Senator from Kentucky may
adopt. | can only say that whenever the Senator
chooses to make his argument shall be ready to meet
it,
Mr.. KING. | regret that this discussion has sprung
up think 1t has been characterized by little more
feeling than the occasion called for l myself enter
tanned the opinion that the Senator from Kentucky
brought forward his resolutions with the bes. possible
Intentions in order to calm the irritation that unfortu
natey exists in regard to the slavery question and to
point out far practicable according to his gment
mode by which it could be settled, restore
iraerna relations to every portion OF the United States
While state this, and while listened with pleasure to
many OF the remarks oil the honorable Senator, |
bound to say that do not with him in several
OF the positions he occupies in these resolutions. But,
sir, while do not appreciate the views and honor
the motives OF tho honorable Senator, and tlust and
hope it will be the means of leading gentlemen on all
sides to turn their attention to investigation OF the
matter, and finally to the adoption OF such
as will preserve the rights OF ALL and restore harmony
to the entire country.
Sir have long seen that no goo ID results from angry
discussion upon any question, however unimportant ii
may be; and, as this question is we'll calculated to
excite such feeling conure gentlemen to keep as far
possible within those temperate and calm limits which
ought 10 be practicable to ALL in the discussion OF ques
tons in the Senate othe United States which are OF the
utmost importance.
Mr. President, while am up, must be permitted TO
say that think the honorable Senator from Kentucky
perfectly correct in characerizng the Constitution of
California as being very irregular in the mode of its for
nation and IN the measures resored TO tor the purpose
of establishing system OF government there How far
under these circumstances may become us to accept
that constitution, is not for me to say but will sim
ply remark that, unless many objections that exist ac
cordng to the representations that have been made N
garding it, are removed, never can give it my sane
tion, | am Tor pursuing the good old mode that has
been pointed out by the Senator from Kentucky-the
mode that he and have been accustomed to see prac-
sed many years, when we were in the House of Re-
personalities. Then, sir, all went on we'll We. gave
to such territories as we had territorial governments
men Of our institutions; and when thus fitted, and
when they had population sufficient to entitle them to
become States, we received them into the Uuon after
they had formed for themselves Constitutions and State
Governments This, sir has been departed from in some
instances, but has been departed from in instance
ia which departure was unustitiable than in that
which has been referred to by the honorable Senator
because think, independently Of the interference pre-
vent certain institutions from being adopted there was
not that kind OF population there that justified the toa
ton Of State Government; made up as that popula-
ton seems TO be, OF Chinese Sandwich Islanders