Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-22

II.
ference in the world to the honorable Senator from Mississippi
merely referred the of proceeding which has
introduced by the honorable Senator from New Hampshire
and which, in my judgment proper and just sound
the proposition introduced the other day by the honorable
Senator from Louisiana (Mr. SouLE) Ibid not complain of
the Senator from Mississippi for offering his amendment
referred in general TERMS TO the introduction of hypo
thetca propositions for consideration which have nothing
do with any practical matter before spoke of that
consuming the public time, and preventing concentrating
this BILL and taking the OF the Senate upon it. do not
know that have been very fortunate in presenting my views
to the Senate but they substantially what verify believe
We have, before remarked in this BILL the question of
California the question of the Territories and the question of
the Texas boundary Now, am prepared TO meet every
proposition appertainng those practical matters But do
utterly resist every proposition which merely superstition,
merely based hypothesis which looks to the remote u
ture, which depends contingencies which may hap
peD and which is after ALL but declaring what future Con-
gress-enirey competent Judge and act for themselves
shall do these subjects It upon these grounds that
yesterday voted against the proposition the honorable Sena
from Louisiana, Mr.. SoULE !; and it is not be in
ferred from that what my would be- one way
the ether in the event that had the constitution Of State
before which either did did tolerate slavery and
called upon to say whether would would admit it
into the Unon BY that vote, simply intended express
the opinion that il question upon which the Senate
ought not to act at the present time think exactly of the
proposition Of my honorable friend from New Hampshire
California may not, and probably will, seek division
of her territory. Congress may agree to it, But if
convention OF the people form constitution for themselves
would allow the federation Of slavery therein.
We are, therefore, Mr. President, called upon express
opinions by these questions depending
contingencies, and having nothing whatever do with any
practical question before the body will occupy the time
of the Senate further W.T.. y.
Mr. CHASE | have already said that see no objection
to the amendment of the Senator from New Hampshire
far as merely ams constitutional principle. But there
objection to it. which intended refer when last ap
proposes TO pledge the action of future Congress. This,
apprehend, cannot do SO far the amendment seeks
to establish compact between this Government and Caor-
mia, and the States proposed be erected within h limits,
switch restrict the free exercise Of the discretion of
future Congress in relation to the admission of New States
SO far in my Judgment seeks an object beyond const
tutiona power We cannot tonsiutionay bind the disce
ton of future Congress.
One word in response % the Senator from Mississippi.
My of action hitheno has, trust sufficiently shown
that while shall maintain, upon this floor, my
views with frmness and decision incapable Of any i'm
Mr.. RUSK. Mr.. President merely wish to say very
few words shall vote for this amendment to the amend
ment, and wish 10 make forever binding. gives only
the people there, when they may to form state
srution, the right to frame their government in every
particular in other words to form and give character to
their own local government The mischief that have had
for years past has resulted from attempt the part this
Government to draw from the local Governments the powers
which, by constitution and system government ought
to belong to them. That has been the difficulty. And now
Congress, four five thousand miles from California seek
ing give character and caste her local institutions II is
beyond power National powers all that given
to Congress All other power reserved the local
governments of the States. Whenever the powers Of the
local governments withdrawn those governments must be
broken up, and then this Government would CO. Here with
out any knowledge the subject, merely because it is
tonal the Congress OF the United States seeking
troll the local Government of California distance from it.
and outside the powers granted by the constitution.
Mr.. HALE. wish to occupy the attention the Senate
but for moment am not the originator of amendments
Of this character. One offered yesterday and adopt
ed by large majority which in effect merely reair
of constitutional principles and the Senate had ven
tued into that field of legislation, thought it would be as
well to engrat the bill also the proposition have offered
in relation to California This proposition the Senator from
Connecticut, (Mr SMITH, however, think rid-
cuous but being cautioned that he would be in order
in thus characsrzng it. he qualified his remarks,
apply that term to it nearly as parliamentary
press it. The Senator also went denounce the general
of proceeding in offering propositions of this kind as
unsatesmanke; but the Senator from Mississippi (Mr.
FooTE) evincing disposition take offence this the
Senator from Connecticut withdraws from the danger of such
collision that, and takes safer horn Of the dilemma He
pous all his wrath my head and says he meant no one
but the Senator from New Hampshire He excerpts from his
the Senators from Louisiana (Mr SoULE and Mis-
sssipp Mr. FoorE who first started and the fathers of
this of proceeding and pours the whole of upon the
Senator from New Hampshire The of the Senator
reminds me Of old fable which ecoect seeing in the
school books, where dog met sitting Sleeps head
and picking it. Said he you would not dare 10 pick my
head So" "Ah," replied the crow 81 know whose head
pick The Senator from Connecticut, it me, also
evinces choice to the heads he picks and deemng
polite prudent perhaps TO into the Senators from Lou
sana Mississippi be has given his denunciaton safer vent
and turned all upon my head Well take
it, and merely congratulate the Senate and the coun
try on the fact of having in this body Senator whose ab
ties position, capacities and craftsmanship qualify him. with
out assumption or the appearance of arrogance to tell less
distinguished men that their arguments do not amount
decency was the yesterday that their PROPOSE
tons are unsatesmanke, as the to-day think it
great safeguard both the Senate and the Nation
have thus qualified standing in the Senate rebuke
with safety to themselves and benefit to the nation, any Of
those exhibitions which evnce lack Of satesanke de-
pertinent. ....a
Mr.. SMITH l believe every member Of the body will
bear witness that stated in express that the propo
ston of the Senator from New Hampshire just proper
be brought before this body the proposition of the Sena
tor from Louisiana | objected to the whole course Of pro-
ceedng in this mater,o this bringing before for
sideration Of merely hypothetical propositions cast
sure on the Senator from New Hampshire in particular
did aogate to myself the right Of censurng any member of
this body claim no such privilege; but have right,
member OF this body 10 complain of the introduction Of
pics here which have nothing to do with the important and
practical matters of legislation which we have before US
When rose to address the Senate my object merely
make an explanation, and not to occupy time. to
to the Senate that voted against the proposition before
US yesterday because regarded potheca one
and say that the proposition now pending is of the same
character made no attack upon the Senator and
reproachas upon him. the habit Of occupying the
time OF the body in long speeches neither do get up
utter wittclsms or indulge in upon Others have
sat here all along listening to the Senator from New Hamp
SHIRE who has had his full share of the public me and
engrossed quite much Of any other member of the
body but when be and other members of the Senate bring
into the body merely hypothetical questions Of no practical
Importance, humble member of the BODY one who has