The North-Carolina standard., 1850-02-27
CONGRESS.


CONGRESS.
Both Houses adjourned over from Thursday evening
to Monday sst since which time we have no inteli-
gence from Washington. 81 bs.a ..shs.-s g -, ::
| The question of Slavery is still agitating both
Houses. In the Senate, on Wednesday last a long
and very Interesting debate took place between Messrs.
Clemens, Foote, Cass, Clay, Butler and others, on
tho Presidents Message communicating the Califor-
MIA Constitution the question being on the motion of
Mr.. Benton to refer the same to the Committee on
Territories, with instructions to report bill admitting
California as State We find this debate reported
at length in the Union of the 22d covering fourteen
columns ofthat paper. We give the following, tele-
graphed for the Richmond papers, by no means the
Substance of what said but to furnish readers
| with some idea of the outlines Of this debate:
"Mr. Clemens spoke at length, and argued that
California had right to form State Government.
He commenced upon supposed concert Of action
between the lion and the lamb of the Senate, in favor
of this motion to force California into the Union
| He saw no reason why dissolution of the Union
should not be possible but, not the responsibility
Of the consequences must rest the North. He
| commented upon the views of Mr.. Cass.
Mr.. Cass explained. believe said he. the Viii.
mot Proviso, to be unconstitutional IF the proposi-
tion had at first been presented to me would have
voted for it. When it was first presented the South
ern men did not show the resistance to it which thew
have since done. Some of them were in favor of it.
subsequently Mr.. Cass said, he looked into the sub
ect, and found that there was no power in the Con-
stltutlon to prohibit slavery from the territorial COM
munities.
He was confirmed in his opinion by consultation
with justice Mclean.
He would put nothing in opposition to the Union.
AS to the Wilmot provso it was project of mischief.
Every age has its Wilmot proviso. 1t came in all
shapes and all varetes-once it in the shape of
a tea tax.
The South had become excited, and the Southern
members were determined to keep ahead of the ex-
citement. Mr.. Cass went on to say. that he had
heard violent threats long enough These things
commenting on Mr.. Mason's speech, he said, drive
US to the wall.
l have heard threats enough-that New York is to
be like Modern Tyre, and the Southern cities like
cannot stand this any longer, said Mr.. Cass.
We are in the hands of God, and what he will do
with US know not. But from men, and their prudence
and moderation, he had no hope.
The storm had rolled over him, and he was broken
down. This was his last session here. If North
ern would not say that slavery was the best in
stitution in the world tho Southern men denounced
him as an abolitioniss At home, his moderate course
caused him to be denounced as dough-face
Mr. Clay denied the right of the Senator from Al
ALBANIA to animadvert upon any supposed intercourse
between him (Mr. Clay) and Mr.. Benton. He did,
however, say that there was no such concert. His
personal relations with that Senator had been restored
and he was glad of it.
Mr.. Clemens contended that he had right to al
lude to combination which appeard to affect the
public interests.
Mr.. Foote spoke at length on the subject of dam
that surrounded the country and expressed the
opinion that there was plan to smuggle California
into the Union, and that Mr.. Claws resolutions con-
South.
MI. Clay said he was the best abused man in the
country.
MI. Cass. With one exception. (Laughter.)
abolitionists, and said he should see their assaults
they sent him their letters and papers.
Mr.. Cass. I can show bushels of them sent to me.
Mr.. Clay. One word. With respect to the right
of the.Senator from Mississippi to comment on my
acts, do not question. But the gentleman seems to
reflect upon the object of supposed concert between
me and the Senator from Missouri
Mr.. Foote utterly dscaimed any such intention.
He had in his printed Speech previously denied the
same inference.
apparent inconsistency between the Senator's remarks
to-day, and conversation of much interest that had
taken place between him and the Senator this morn
ing.
After some remarks from Messrs. Foote, Clay,
Hale, Butler, and Dickenson, the subject post
poned. and the Senate adou-ned.''
Mr.. Venable has spoken, among others, in the
reported at length, but shall embrace the first OPP
portunity to lay them before readers.
On Thursday Mr.. Miller, Whg, of New Jersey,
made speech in vindcation Of the Northern people,
in whicn he combatted the idea that the North had
manifested disposition to do injustice the South.
He advocated the admission of the State of Califor
MIA into the Union. Without concluding, he gave
way for the adjournment.
In the House, on the same day; Mr.. Bissel, of IL
linois, being entitled to the oor spoke hour He
contended that the South had pursued an improper
line of conduct touching the question now at issue
between the two sections of the Union-that South
ern members were wholly wrong in forcing upon the
North the present Issue. He said he in favor of
the immediate admission of California and declared
that opinion had gone abroad relative to
the decision of the day at Buena Vista. Northern
and not Southern soldiers, had decided that bloody
conflict!
Mr.. Winthrop followed in speech in which he
handled the ultra Freesoers quite severely, and took
the ground that the plan of President Taylor in re-
ation to California and the Territories, commune
Gated in his late Message, the best, # not the
only plan that can be adopted"
The papers are teeming with various plans for
adjustment and compromise, but no land as
yet. The whole question is still at sea. The New
York Express hears from Washington, by Telegraph,
on the 2lst, as follows:
"It is stated, with great confidence to-day, that
bill is originating with the Committee ON Territories
providing for the admission of California as State,
and the organization Of Governments for the Terri
tores which is thought will settle the whole
ter in diannfe What fhe details are or wi he