The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
sPEEoH OF EIR. BELL,
or TENNESSEE,

admission of California into The Unon the establishment
OF territorial governments for Utah and New Mexico and
making proposals to Texas for the settlement OF her
northern and western boundaries
Mr. BELL said; Bir President, am admonshed by
the proceedings of the morning, and the remarks ol the
honorable senator IRON Texas Mr. HoUsroSl who has
Just taken his seat. that this subject from day day,
becoming more complicated, and difficulties inter
posed 10 any harmonious adjustment Interests, and pas
sons, and topics introduced and appealed TO. my
Judgment, neither appropriate nor wellmed. shall be
compelled 10 treat the subject 10 some extent, Others
have treated IT, however alien 10 my feelings and views
Of slnc proprley. cannot hear allusions and COM
menaries Aade from day 10 day, upon the course and
conduct oI high officer OF The government, in whom
have confidence, with whom am politically connected,
and IN whose character think the country eel has
deep stake, without taking notice OF them IN The
course OF remarks which propose 10 submit
From the moment, Mr.. President, that perceived no
peace would be made with the republic of Mexico by the
ae administration without further acquisition oil ter
nloy, in with others, had pretty clear per
eepon OF the dssensions likely TO grow out of III and
from the date OF the treaty OF Guadalupe Ridalgo there
were TWO points in the policy which il became the gov
eminent TO pursue ii we would preserve the harmony,
and perhaps the peace of the country which, in my
judgment, were cardinal and imperative: first that all
the questions connected with the Territories should
be adjusted speedily possble aud secondly, that the
adjustment, when made, should be final and irreyccable
leaving no open questions TO irate and tester IN the pub
lie mind For these reasons | not satisfied with
what was called the Clayton Compromise bill In add
ton TO the objection inteposed my mind, growing out
OF the bad policy OF throwing upon the Judicial depart
question in lis nature political and giving rise such
tensty OF interest and excitement believed the adoption
tion OF that measure would only postpone, to nde
mite period, the decision of controversy which, all the
while. would be assuming more and more aggravated
complexion Sill the question occurred, upon what plan
could these questions be promptly finally, and irevoca
the conclusion, of which afforded full evidence in de-
bate on this floor. that the extraordinary measure of
bringing these Territories into the Union as State
States, and allowing the inhabitants 10 settle for them
selves the question OF slavery slavery as their in.
ieresis and sentiments should dictate, jnsihable
under the extraordinary circumstances in the condition OF
the country and The only in power adopt
which promised TO accomplish the fold duty oil giving
10 these Territories the immediate protection OF organ
zed civil government and OF REFRESHING the growing dis
between the North and the South and al The
time violate principle OF the constitution and no
well setlled sentiment OF right justice As hard
blows have been dealt against those who have favored
this plan OF settlement and as may have occasion to
return them with interest before | have done. desire
those gentlemen o the last Congress who agreed with
upon this subject, but whose names do not appear
upon record, 10 bear that TACT 10 mind.
As 10 my individual opinions upon this subject and as
to the mode oi settling these dsiracing questions which
would be satisfactory TO me- never having had any
dent hope or expectation that slavery would under any
circumstances, lind its way into these Territories any plan
o adjustment which involves violation OF consltu-
uona principles and which promises TO give general
,s,acion TO the country, would be acceptable to me
With these limitations, am free to give my support TO
any arrangement, no matter by whom suggested or
brought forward; and would be the last TO seek
pian winch held
Bile hope o restoring harmony 10 the country, by insisting
upon any iavonle measure OF my own
With regard TO the particular before the
SENATE, have up TO this moment remained uncomml,ted
10 IT, as the distinguished chairman OF the select commit
lee Mr. CLAY knows have listened with the greatest
patience and the mos, respectful attention 10 almost every
word and sentiment which has fallen from the lips OF The
various gentlemen who have addressed the Senate for and
against the have IN every instance, believe
voted Tor those propositions TO amend the bill which, in
the Judgment OF IT. most ardent supporters, calcu
n and n
country and against those which IL supposed would
prejudice its chances for have, al the
time, yoed against the separation Of the several PROPOSE
lions united IN this BILL having scruples 10 the pro-
pey OF uniting several distinct propositions the
bill, when great public good proposed 10 be
plshed by y, however opposed such course may be 10
general parliamentary law and usage. But, while have
thus contributed 10 sustain the measure, has time
met my cordial approval have been rather aciusied
in my course BY the hope that il would yet assume a
shape which would recommend IL more strongly both 10
my judgment and 10 that OF the country, than by any
PARTICULAR favor or aiiaiy to IFS provisions as ihey now
stand
ihs country, MIR President desires and expects some
adjustment Of these distrscng questions before the ad
|journmen Of the present session VI Congress II is
ural TO suppose that the mode Of adjustment which
would be most acceptable TO one section OF the country
would not be equally 10 the other and am well
|saare t1st scheme OF settlement which IL is in
power 10 adopt can secure entire satisfaction and har.
|mony. But whatever we do should hold out
tona prospect Of general content and acquiescence II
be provisions OF the bill under consideration held out
this sauiary assurance, that alone would commend il To
|ny hearty support but, SIR, cannot be led into
hesiang and jealous support o this measure by the
oepeaed and confident declarations of IFS more ardent
friends, that will quiet the dissensons aud restore hsr
|mony 10 the country, when see all around me, in the
|Senaie IN thecounty, the public press the elements
|of continued agitation and discord the evidences OF re-
|newed conflicts the subject OF these Territories What
rational hope can be INDUCED that which is
carcey able TO The support oil majority of either
branch OF Congress- which is opposed with equal heree-
ness and obsnscy by respectable potion OF The repre-
.enaives OF both North aud South, will bring that heal
ing upon its Hings which its friends have confidently
predicted OF it The cry is peace peace give US thus
measure and the interrupted harmony OF the country will
|be restored but, sir, fear there will be peace,
permanent concord and harmony, whatever ulng inu-
ence the adoption oil this might have, for time,
upon ihe snrgng elements o popular opinion and sentl
Iment, North and South
II is well known, Mr.. President, 10 my particular
nends that the plan OF adjustment reported 6y The select
committee was regarded BY deficient in comprehen.
sveness that II assumed basis OF settlement in regard
these Territories too and restricted 10 secure the
great objects OF permanent peace and harmony In my
opnion, il should have embraced every question con.
pcted with these Territories including Texas All ground
Of future well present discord should be removed
Permit TO say, MIR President, that bad cherished the
hope that those gentlemen who, from the commencement
Of this session, have taken the lead upon this great sub
Jec, would have extended their views far beyond the
range OF the present measure; that far more compre
hehsye and permanent scheme would have been maued
BY them. had right 10 expect this from the honorable
senator IRON Mississippi, lMr. FooTE,l to whose Inde
agabe energies and talents indebted Tor the
Committee Of Thirteen had right 10 expect this from
me distinguished gentleman from Michigan, Mr. CAss]
whose enlarged and liberal views upon many points con-
nected with this subject elected my admiration. had
night 10 expect this more particularly from The honorable
ana distinguished senator from Kentucky, Mr. CLAyl
whose advent among heralded by the annuncia