The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-24

WAsHrscros, May 81. lss

OF bills submitted BY them 10 The Senate few DAYS since
by which they propose 70 effect settlement Of the diff
cues which have 40 unfo unatey agitaed the country
for some time past on the subject 81 he slave question
mainly connected with our territorial acquisition 'l ~
Before entering upon expression Of my views. per.
nit me remark. that though by no means indiier.
spectator Of the great events which have lately been
transpirng in country, yet have for some years
dousy avoided any active participation Y The political
that any opinions OF mine will receive any other conside
ration than that which may attach TO anxlousnay,
fedeacy and the preservation Of the just rights Of all its
parts.
That great and dangerous crisis has arisen in our
country, fraugh with imminent peril to the Union, is at
tested by the profound anxiety OF the public mind
throughout land, and by the patriotic and mastery
efforts OF some OF most sage and experienced states
cate as among the greatest evils which could beal
nation. Although much has been done towards ef-
feeling change n the menaclng aspect Of The crisis
vessel of State freghted she with all the noblest
fortunes and hghesthopes Of country safely
into port.
In order 10 effect consummation SO deyouty 10 be
wished with all difference will remark that more OF
mutual forbearance m our national councils and less Of
a hns ana an nad Almost sald
serve TO attain that most desirable end
The country requires and seeks epose from the long
continued agitation which has divided into bitter ieuds
those who should be friends and brethren, and which
has long distracted and convulsed the councils Of the
federal government The voices Of the yrtuous and pa
Try. demanding settlement OF this vexcd question upon
as and honorable basis What, then, the proper
remedy for the crisis, and what plan Is best suited 70
achieve this patriotic purpose answer unhesltangy
and not, trust, without just appreciation Of what is
due 70 both the honor and interests OF the South, that
Thirteen, comes recommended to us BY considerations
which should, in my humble opinion, command the APP
probation and assent OF all sections Of the country The
ab0lioniss object 10 because II yields, they say,
too much TO Me South and many distinguished statesmen
Of the South. doubtless from patriotic Oh
ect 10 it, because they aege 1t comedies too e to the
South and will tend to destroy the balance OF political
power of government. This latter might, and
Thought ouht to- have
ally, before the acquisition OF the territory is now too
late consider that point Both treaty obligations and
due regard TO the rights and interests of the Territories
which have taken under our protection impose
high constitutional duty IRON which we cannot escape,
to admit California State, and provide governments
for those Territories not yet prepared to come into the
The principal objections to this plan entertained by
those Of the South opposed TO it FIRST that California;
instead Of being admitted with her present limits, should
be divided into two States second that Congress should
ngat into the bills creating territorial Tor
Utah and New Mexico q provision expressly recog-
missing the principle, that slavery may exist IN those Ter
iteries These. believe. substantially the obsc-
tons urged the proposed plan by those opposed to
il from the South Permit bring these objections
the test Of brief examination Is not the better and
wiser plan, SO far concerns the political interests OF
the South, to admit California STATE, instead o.
dividing her and making wo States, thereby creating All
almost positive certainty OF bringing in two free States
stead OF onel know that, in the heat Of discussion
and sectional Strife has been alleged that extraneo
Influences have been brought TO bear on the popuae
mind in California lhe question Of slavery, and thai
thereby the South has been defrauded Of her rights.
Whether any such influence exercised or not am
unable to say 1t is very certain that no proof has
been adduced to sustain the charge; and in all sincerity,
do believe that, no matter what influence had been
used by the present administration either for against
slavery, the result OF the popular decision would
have been just what it was. say this in partisan
sense for my vote at the last election for President was
forE ua the Mt ha
case since the United States first took military possession
of California; and am utterly at oss to see how any
ton found in that country. chiefly Mexican. all know
opposed to slavery The military force sent TO
cupy the country by the late administration, and avow
eddy the time for the purpose of colonizng the
try, drawn from the free States With the native
population against slavery-with the military colony
against slavery and that colony doubtless was very
NATURAL inviting their friends in the free States by cor
respondence TO join themthe causes which led TO the
decision against slavery admit OF easy solution. Be-
them, from some holding high political stations from
the people OF Calornia-hat the decision on this ques-
ton is the expression Of the wishes Of an overwhemng
will add that when this territory was first acquired and
indeed until very recently, twas admitted in debate gen.
the South that the laws Of Nature had decided against
the establishment Of slavery in California and the other
Territories acquired from Mexico, and that the Proyso
would be OF practical consequence, the insult offered
to the South would be more wanton. The message OF
President Polk, well as recollect, not having it
before expressly look the Rr0und among oner 0Dec
tons TO the Wilnot Provso that absttac
lion. and could have practical operation the nature
Of the climate country &c would efectualy prevent the
Introduction OF slavery. ef
word now to the amendment which il is proposed
to make 10 the plan OF the committee by migrating pro-
vision declaring the existence Of slavery legal in the Ter
ritories OF Utah and New Mexico. While the motives
which prompt this movement doubtless governed
by anxious desire promote the interests OF the South
view departure from that great principle OF
interference by the federal government in regard to sa
very which has heretofore been regarded the Ggs OF
safety II the power OF the general government tode
clare that slavery may may not exist in the Territories
tanly not directly given by the constitution.
into the wide field of implied and constructive power,
the question Of slavery, what limits prescribe
to its action Nor should we derive any substantial
benefit from this concession OF constitutional power for
nothing appears to pceposterons than the idea
that slavery will be adopted either in Utah or New
Mexico. The feelings and sentiments known TO be en-
terained by the population of those Territories besides
the and character Of the climate, SOIL and prodnc-
tons, entirely forbid it.
My information with respect to the Territory oil New
Mexico especially, derived years since from Santa re
Traders who were familiar with the country represents its
general character sterile in the extreme TO the soil,
and altogether unfavorabe to agricultural pursuits The
mines 10 that Territory have been worked for centuries,
and are exhausted to afford poor reward Tor labor
These circumstances taken in connexion with the lnte
situation OF the countryside nearest part OF H. be-
eve, being more than thousand miles IRON any sea-
portrender the supposton absurd that shareholders. to
any extent ever will nhabit IT, Nothing would present