The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-19


head The motion upon that day was to refer all The
questions growing out OF the question OF slavery Now
sir. have definitely so many contained In the
resolutions offered by the senator from Kentucky and by
the senator from Tennessee the vote is now
10 strike out 10 dsseyer the question The question:
them was not exactly tanlamount TO vote TO exclude
H. Now, have myself no doubt but the action OF the
Senate will be now as il was then II was well stated
by my colleague the other day that both he and myself
aside from own opinions, were instructed by the egsa
ure OF State (whose instructions we both recognise
10 the fullest exen) TO vote for no territorial bill that
does not contain within an express prohibition Of slave
~ Now sir being under these instructions, and having
cordial desire 10 present this proposition TO the Senate
that may vote and exhibit the evidence that
willing 10 carry out that doctrine in good Iaih and TO vote
for no measure by ndrecion which shall cover a sub.
sequen measure and thus relieve me from these instruc
tions ask the privilege now 10 vote 10 dissever; so
that II these propositions shall be connected by This com
mttee--as all understand they are 10 be-then i shall
be compelled 10 vote against the admission OF California
il that contingency shall arise may be placed right upon
the record offer this amendment simply for the pur,
pose OF showing my desire dsconnect these subjects
Mr. CLAY The motion made the other day, and
which rejected, is precisely the one the senator
makes now 10 wit: '.that nothing in these resolutions
shall be construed to authorize the said committee oIake
into consideration. in any way first the admission Of Cali
forna into the Unon," Sc You may vary the thing in
words, but not in sense shoud like to know what ex.
cepton there is in the of this.
MIR. HAMLlN III the senator addressed me, was
unfortunate from the confusion as not to be able to hear
Mr. CLAY. said simply this That a similar propo.
son submitted the other day TO that which the
tor from Maine now submits, and Il was voted down
% to "a am sure have seen enough Of the senator
from Maine, know that he does desire repeat
the decision Of the Senate on the same question.
Mr. HAMLIN. lido not desire i for any other reason
than this That upon that proposition the committee was
not raised; nothing grew out OF IT, There was
pressed consent Il was true but committee was raised
and the motion was subsequently, withdrawn III, undes
this notion the committee is to be raised, as doubt not
il will be- wish to record my vote in favor OF preventing
that committee from acting upon the subject That
The VICE PRESIDENT The question Of order is
whether this amendment has been previously moved 10
this proposition The Secretary informs me that il
not.
Mr. CLAY Let us have the question, then
Mr. CASS Mr. President would suggest TO the hon
orabe senator from Maine, whether he would not attain
his object IN better manner by awaiting the report OF
the committee, and then by moving to separate Califo
MIA from the other subjects. should il be associated in
the bill with any other The senator desires that
his position should be misunderstood and therefore
wishes 10 have a vote upon this question. Az to
the appointment OF committee, there is no danger OF
misunderstanding, because he has announced his objec
ton 10 the measure, and will record his vote against it.
He presupposng that the committee will unite various
subjects in the BILL and wishes in advance in effect
correct There may be such reason, and in that
this measure would be wholly unnecessary ltwould be
take W be
the senator to move separation as II s now to move
prohibition against it. The subject will be just as much
in our power then now; and it will be much more
proper 10 act in that case for we shall then be dealing
with existing facts, and not with imaginary ones.
And this same error as to the course OF the committee,
seems to pervade all our discussions upon this subject
II is assumed that because different subjects TO be
referred TO this committee they must therefore be in.
cluded in the same bills, and the therefore, made
dependant the other; and this assumption, made il
appears me, without the least authority, is then urged
decisive argument against this proposition OF refer.
| ence.
In the first place. sir no one has right to assue that
such will be the and TO make this bare assumption
ground Of opposition 10 the proceeding. agree with
the distinguished senator from Kentucky that commit
fee mite a me IN 4
consider such course out OF the question: much
not to furnish, to the most cautious, for
voting against this measure 20 further. sir. do
believe that there will be any further union of subjects
the bill than the junction Of the admission OF Cafor
mia with the governments OF the Territories; and zee
great tness in that But SIR, should the committee 90
further, and include topics. what effect will that
have Just none al all in opposition to the viii OF the
majority
Gentlemen seem to suppose that the report of the CON-
mtee is TO be like the laws OF the Modes and Pefsians
not subject to alteration amendment whatever And
the senator from Maine evidently acts upon the same
suppostion, when he makes his motion beforehand
guard against particular course OF action the part OF
the committee, which he happens TO disapprove And
permit here TO remark that great deal has been sad
about an understanding among senators OF the
leading members OF this body, and much more OF the
same sort. This is certainly making great matter out
OF very small one IL OF little consequence whether
there has been any not whether there be
reality such an understanding or not will say, how
ever, that have heard OF no caucus, and know Of
dersandng upon the subject II there be any such,
utterly ignorant OF IT, And repeat, it is small matter 10
be placed prominently before the Senate and the
tryto talk earnestly about caucuses and about lead
ers. know nothing Of either l, for myself, am
little disposed 10 lead as thrust am to be led.
Now, here is a proposition 10 refer 10 a committee
grand subject affecting the very existence OF the coned
Grafton. II is said 10 be unusnal but il must be
bered that the present condition OF the country unusual
also. There rs proposition TO refer all the questions
connected with this grave subject TO committed Well,
what is the objection that urged against this reference
good deal has been said about instructions TO the con-
mittee, and about effort 10 check debate Now, it.
seems to me that reasonable man, who has listened
the debate that has taken to-day suppose that
there Is any disposition 10 check debate. II this debate
has been checked il would require wiser than
10 tell what would be free debate what length OF
time topics IFS course would lead Senators have
pursued their own course, IN their way, and a
discursive debate have never listened to- have
little apprehension that, here elsewhere ANY martyrs
be made 10 the great of free discussion BY the
proceedings OF to-day. All such illusions are, 10
say the least OF them, in very bad taste And what 10
be The practical disposition OF the labors OF the committed
The subjects will come back TO reported upon by the
committee; the whole matter will be within the iursdc
lion OF the Senate. and any proposition 20 amend thea
miee, and let them make the best report they can
man will be committed by the report whatever il may
be; we shall be pledged TO do nothing the COMMITTEES
may do All that Is proposed IL, that. In the difficulties
IN which We find ourselves involved, committee shall
deliberate and ascertain IL practicable plan cannot
be devised for the settlement the agtaing subjects
which now distract the country. Can any reasonable
man object 10 this freely confess cannot
how he can. | have listened 10 every word that has
been said IN the of the debate, and my
prise has increased rather than diminished a, the OPP