The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-17

square niles or winch, are south or Jbo 30' and
now open TO the reception Of slave labor-but
which will pass under the jurisdiction Of the Fe-
deral Government and become the subject to the
Vaccinations of Free-soiers and Abolitionists
Utah and New Mexico will form the subject Of
but few remarks. They are confessedly the least
valuable of the immense possessions acquired
from Mexico. Cold and sterile, they afford a
scant return for the labors Of industry. Labor is
unproductive and iI-rewarded- are ilnsuited
by soil and climate for the uses of husbandry, and
being far removed from the ocean, and extremely
difficult of access, they are, by locality ineligible
for the purposes Of commerce and trade. Too
worthless to excite the cupidty, or infame the
ambition Of the Abolitionists, they are made the
subject ofconcession to the South. 1t is proposed
by MIR. Clay's compromise to erect for them ter
rltorial governments, without the application Of
the Wllmot Proviso--but fhe Abolitionists are
advised that they may rely on the efficacy OF the
Mexican law for the exclusion Of Southern nsti-
tutions; whilst Mr.. Webster proclaims that sa-
very is excluded from those barren regions by the
immutabe laws Of nature. Where the territory
is unsulted to the purpose of the South by soil,
climate, and physical structure, and where sla-
very is excluded by the command of nature
there we are graciously permitted to occupy, with
our slaves If we can, and to struggle through life
for scanty subsstence-if we can find means Of
evading the Mexican law, asserted by our adver-
saries to be in force But where the territory is
suited to the purposes of the South, where slave
labor would command an adequate reward, we
are excluded by human law. Where nature ad-
mlts us, human laws exclude. Where human
laws admit us, nature excludes And thus il is
contrved by the proposed compromise, effectual-
ly to exclude the South from every acre of land
obtained from Mexico
All the lands Of any considerable value, in the
whole Mexican acquisition, are comprised within
the boundaries of theproposed State Of California
Indeed if we cast our eyes upon the map, il is diff
cult to exclude the idea of design, in defining the
boundaries with the view Of embracing all the ter
ritory suitable to slave labor. If we examine the
subject with reference to the beauty and propriety
Of geographical CONFORMATION, we shall find that
the most beautiful delineation Of single State to
be seen in America, or perhaps in the world, will
be embraced within the boundaries formed by the
Pacific on the West Oregon OIL the north, the
range of the Sierra Nevada onthe East, following
the crest of those mountains from AZ deg. North
latitude in Southern direction to their Southern ex
tremlty, and terminating on the coast, about the
Gath deg. Of latitude. The State would thus be
defended on all sides, by the strongest and most
beautiful natural boundaries, and would compre-
bend a compact, though vast area. But these
suggestions of strength and beauty are entirely
disregarded by the proposed plan, which breaks
the line from the Sierra Nevada, about 80 deg.
latitude, striking across the open country, by
naked exposed air line in southeast direction,
until 1t reaches some point on the Colorado, thence
uoWH IT'S IuedHueTlISS 10 mexican line, at the
head Of the gulf of California thence west by
that line to the ocean comprehending east of the
mountain, 81 deg. latitude and 81 deg. longitude
hanging like deformity on the profile Of the
State.
1t is difficult to account for this caprcious line,
an any other principle than the design of embrac-
ing oil territory suited to slave labor, and OF i'm
Guiding slavery from that territory, by provision
Of the proposed Consttuhon--thus presenting to
Abolitonists a motive to admit the State into the
Union, and artfully achieving the black designs of
the Wilmot Proyiso, without forcing that measure
on the Executive, or affiording the South an OPP
portunity to resist it. #
1t cannot be expected by any rational mind that
the territory will continue to be single State 1t
would be more inconyenient for the administration
Of State government than the combined area of
Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. II must be
divided, and that soon and if the South shall
permit California to be admitted with these boun-
daries, with slavery excluded by the bungling
continuance of her State Constitution, we shall
soon have four more free soil Senator'S, to swell
the 'arrogenco of Abolitonism and add to the load
of Southern oppression.
1t has been suggested by Southern gentlemen Of
undoubted patriotism and in all respects entitled
to the highest considerations that it were best all
the territory were comprehended in one State, 10
as to diminish the weight OF its Senatorial infu-
ence With great Difference am obliged to dis
sent, because have no idea such an expedient
would afford the slightest obstruction to the de-
signs of the Abolitionists. They would divide the
State without scruple, whenever occasion should
require. After the admission Of California, the
power OF legislation will have passed completely
into their hands. They will have a majority OF
fifty votes in the House Of Representatives. They
will have majority Of two in the Senate, even
when Delaware votes with the South but when
Delaware votes with the North their Senatorial
majority will be six They will have majority |
of ifty-two in the Electoral Colleges, to choose
President and Vice President Of the United States |
After the next enumeration Of the people, it is |
probable their power will be still farther increased
They will be able to pass what laws they please,
and to elect their President, to approve those
laws, and TO see that those laws shall be faithfully
executed. might descant on the great irregu-
larites which distinguished the formation of their
State Constitution; but ! have no wish to excite
you at all. really think those irregularities great
that they amount to actual rebellion against the
rights and authority Of the States Of the Union
OF course, deem they would support objections
fatal to the admission Of California, and neces-
sarily fatal to the Compromise; but do not urge
them, because candidIy admit that if those ire
gularities had never existed | should be opposed
to the admission Of California, because Of the
enormity Of her boundaries, which believe 10 |
have been arranged with view to exclude the |
South from the whole Mexican acquisition.
The whole territory South of 36o 3O', compre-
hended within the limits of the proposed State,
four degrees Of latitude and about six
degrees of longitude, represented in the Cali
fornia Convention, nominaliy only. -Four incon-
siderable towns, situated on the Pacific coast,
elected the entire delegation. The immense inte-
rior elected no delegate at all; and, so far am
the military government, then in au-
thority, summoned no delegate from the interior; |
though it assumed the royal prerosative Of desig-
mating communities to be represented in the conven-
ion, which was to be invested with the high duty
and sacred trust Of determining the organic law
From the best information which can procure,
learn that even the inadequate delegation from
hese four towns were opposed to the adoption of
State constitution and desired the establish
nent Of aterritorial government. They proposed
o make the line 36o 30 the Southern boundary of
he new State, so as to leave the territory South
IF that line to be organized under territorial
government. But their wishes were disegarded
md defeated, and this immense region forced into
he proposed State-I regard this as proof that
he people of California South of 800 30', desire
hat line as distinguishing mark in the organi-
Lation Of political communities.
n IL r..