The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-02-01
THE CALIFORNIA MESSAGE.

THE CALIFORNIA MESSAGE.
The second great message OF President Taylor
has been for some days before the people. 1t was
called out by certain resolutions calling on the Pre-
sdent TO: the instructions given relative to tile
forming of State Governments in the newly ac-
uuired territories. 1t is to be remembered that
T. Butler King, prominent candidate for some
high diplomatic post, received (as it would have
been had no secret power and instructions been
given him) the meagre Office OF deputy 10 The
Territories. This he would not have received
we feel very sure had not scmc secret confidential
trust have been reposed. Whatever this might
have been, if any, the Presden: has studIousIy
concealed Every fact has been repressed but
those which were forced out-except one-a relte.
ration from his former happy productIon' viz: IN
sistne on the introduction OF California as State
with its present constitution From Secretary
Ciayt MS letter. and other documents it is cer-
tain conclusion that the adopted constitution oil
California is the work of the Cabinet, having used
T. Butler King as their tool. But admitting that
it originated entirely with the present population
of California, and is correct expression OF their
sentiments, should it be admitted as State with
the Provso attached? There are two things IN
almost every human act TO he considered: It's COLI
sttutionaity and its expcdiency. First, as 10 It's
constitutonaiity, the Constitution says that when
Territory has 10000 inhabitants it may apply Tor
admission as State, and may be admitted as
Stale, with a constitution OF its own, with this re-
sriction among Others that that constitution shall
contain nothing to impair the rights OF any other
State. Space will only allow US 10 ask if the ad-
mission Of California into the Union, with its pre-
sent constitution, would not impair the rights OF
all the Southern States? Further, our Constitu'
ton as it now stands, is made up Of compromises
The Missouri Compromise, the foundation stone OF
Southern degradation, has been reIigiously OBJ
served by the South and even he whose departed
shade will rise to curse the South il she wakes not
to defend her rights, signed the Oregon Bill with
the Wilmot Proviso attached through regard for
that Compromise. But has the North regarded it!
Without at all recognizing the line within which
honor would bind her. she would pass the WIlmot
Proviso over every foot Of acquired Territory, and
has thus, we contend, relieved the South from any
obligations further to observe that compromise.
Let the action of the South be then to cast aside all
compromises but those which are written with the
sword, Or that give to the South all she could ask
or WISH
As to its cxpediency. This is by TO means the
least effective property of correct action, and
many thing though it may be lawful is not cxpc-
dient. But this measure, We contend, is alike un-
constitutional and incxpcdicnt. 1t is not expedcnt
as to Justice; for he who has read the history Of
the war by which we gained the territory in dis
pute, can but feel his spirit burn at the recital OF
the glorious deeds of those very men that the North
woulu now exclude from any participation in its
profits. They would deprive us Of our slaves, and
push upon us the degraded population of their own
Satcs-they would line our streets with beggars,
and call it expediency to institute in place OF the
bigh.,oned chivalry Of the South, the picayune
sensation that nvadcs the North. Can it be expc-
dent to urge upon Congress any act which must
result in the dissolution OF the Union !-the glorl-
GUS Union that has been watched as an experiment
by foreign powers, who woald gladly see the stars
which so beautifully deck our floating banner fade,
and prove to The world that Republic cannot
stand!
Mr. s, II. CoRLEy, Of Kentucky, has bcen sue.