The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-22


nordd ever doubt for one that the treaty with Mex
leo, extending. undeniaby did the constitution and
its guarantees TO all the territory acquired by s instru
mentality, most eectualy secured all rights designed to
be secured by this amendment IN manner lar more sat
sacoy than would be possible merely by an act of Con-
gress and therefore think that the amendment OF my
g i word sS only es usssss
of the land may notwithstanding, vote for the amend
ment, with view to harmonize, far may be prac-
tcabe with my colleague inasmuch as i will DC, inTit
SELF according my understanding OF it. harmessy in
efficient The amendment OF the senator from New
Hampshire though, cannot vote for, because appears
to that il is q little worse than the worst form OF the
Wmo Provso heretofore known TO US. Having regarded
this monster dead and having actually proclaimed bis
funeral o'Dsequiss a. having formally taken place, an
body this morning. claiming recognition as moral emit.
ty Yet capable OF potential action. The time was that
when lns % orans were od ,se MAJ man Ioaa ale oa ~
may slay this Wilmot Provso thousand tmes and yet
he will be found again 10 assume some other shape OF
oo'e MT CLAY LAZY Mr. President shall vote neither for
the proviso for the amendment to which the proyso
proposed to be attached With regard to this provlso
/ il is exactly equivalent TO enactment There IS
nothing except from the enactmen except that which
the proyso proposes TO except from It. There is no use
H. appears % % v hs s"s voM fsem New Hamn
shire. #8.
Thought that upon this subject there had been clear
understanding in the Senate that the Senate would moi
decide upon the ier ioc respects slavery; that the
Senate would allow the territorial legislatures TO
sT upon A. na a hs y oSsi s % Ss asI
the constitution OF the United States, to be tried by the
proper and competent judicial tribuna-the Judiciary Of
the United whenever the question is brought be-
fore them
Now, we are called upon-at least that is the effect Of
the amendment. presumeto declare that the local law
shall be abrogaied, though it is put in very plausible
terms that is say, If there be any local law contra
yenng the constitution Of the United States such local
law shall be abolished Now il there be any such local
law, the constitution per 50 abollshes it. Now, am
willing leave the whole question, as TO whether the
laws OF Mexico abolished slavery there, whether the
right OF transporting slaves into these Territories TO be
settled by the judiciary of the United States. But am
not willing TO abolish the local law be il what il may.
The Senate has hitherto pursued but more especially on
account Of the provision in the tenth section, which
entite any carry any description Of property there
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi. In offering this amend,
ment, endeavored 10 present, and thought that had
presented. my imposition in terms plain that il must
be nteigibe to every senator was willing, therefore,
that vote should be taken upon It without saying any
thing explain enforce it. But the honorable scna-
from Kentucky seems, strangely enough, 10 miscon
strue this amendment, he did the amendment which
offered in an earlier stage Of this discussion BY that
amendment sought TO provide police regulations and
other remedies for protecting all rights OF property in the
Territories and although i was modified several times.
from wish make it conform to the taste OF senators
most friendly this BILL far consistent with
the object OF that amendmentto secure to the territorial
legislature the right to provide for the protection Of slave
slaves heldstl that simple right that lowest possi
BILE demand which southern man could have made, was
finally rejected Now, sir. ask that these local laws
which abdge or obstruct in those Territories the rights
OF the citizens of the United States they derived
from the constitution and laws Of the United States, shall
be held to be repealed agree entirely with the posi-
ton taken by my colleague, that the constitution does
repeal all such laws But sir Is the holder OF one sPe
Territory, TO establish his right to hold that property
there by Lawsuits And is the Senate here gavely en-
acting law to increase litigaiioni Wlll the Senate de-
clare that constitution and our laws are supreme
wherever territory extends, or will they leave that to be
decided after suit by the courts OF the United States
That, sir is the simple question; and let those who
onal laws do In the spirit OF the senator from
Massachusetts, Mr. WEBSTER, so forcbly and beauti-
fully exhibited to the Senate Saturday, say; 81 am
American. No local feeling controls my heart; and
my attachment is as broad as my whole country. My
good wishes are co-extensive with our wide DOMAIN,
reaching from to sea- ask no local advantages and
hope that sectional discrimination will be imposed
upon me- do not seek the hrs and shall certainly op
pose the lasin The Mexican law excludes various spe
cies OF property; and yet proposes to continue
TO exclude any property under the operation OF our
laws, except those who seek to exclude property IN
slaves. Sir was prepared to see some exhibitions
OF fanatic opposition TO slavery connected with the
amendment but was not-am not prepared TO see the
American Senate refuse to acknowledge the consttuon
OF the United States supreme and the shield OF American
citizens upon American SOIL Sir have we expended so
much blood and treasure to acquire territory that the fun
damenta laws OF Mexico may govern i'll Have we con,
querei and paid for territory which part OF ctxeus
enioy-over which jurisdiction cannot extend
Or do you say that citizen oi the Une States must go
through the process OF a lawsuit before he shall be fully
entitled TO the protection oil the constitution Sir feel
that duty look rather 10 the Limitation than the
extension OF lawsuits propose not to abogae the To-
cal laws the from Kentucky 10 suppose
Such supposuon is not 10 be drawn from the amend
mendment propose TO repeal them, so Tar as they In
terfere with the rights OF American citizens, and leave
them to whatever effect they may have hereafter the
private relations OF those whom found IN the country,
and on contracts made before me transfer OF the territory
ask not interfere with any contract made heretofore,
made these Territories should be under the operation OF
Mexican laws Whatever rights they had under the
laws OF Mexico they will still retain, so lar as thai
amendment is concerned. But certainly, sur, we who
own the territory have right to go into that territory nm
der the shield of our constitution and laws, unre-
strcied by the laws OF Mexico. II not what have we
Mr. President, have not at this stage OF the bill
chosen to enter into general debate upon IT, The lew
remarks have made since its introduction have been
specially directed TO pending amendments have wait
ed in order that those who have the power might perfect
the BILL and thea shall most probably give my opinion
those with whom am bound 10 ACT had made or would
make any factous opposition We merely ask 10 supply
consider detects in the bill and TO remove what
consider most Objectionable. We told you in the be-
ginning that when you gave US that which u was our
duty 10 ask representatives. we had no further OBJ
econ TO nlerpose and you refuse H. the path OF duty
TO those whom represent lies before me- and is
which shall, II aone follow without hesitation.
II the American Senate prepared declare that the
provisions OF the constitution OF the United States only
apply to these Territories so far the Sapeme Couft