Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-07-06


mony and safety Of the Union require that should be settled
STILL If this cannot be effected, if territorial governments
be organized the question adjusted in other way
without continued and dangerous excitement the
daton Of the President Of action will be- as the evil
the safest and wsest policy The rights of all the people,
relates to the occupation Of the country will be thereby
: unaffected, and continue as they exist
California has formed her constitution, and prays admission
into the Union under very peculiar and extraordinary
stances No State has been admitted under precisely
similar circumstances is that several Territories
Michigan, Iowa. Florida, and othersormed constitutions,
without any act OF Congress authorizing the proceeding and
under such have been admitted but they had
organized territorial governments Their admission, however,
irregular; and, to some of them, grossly Texas
independent sovereignty, and owed allegiance 70
this any other Government California had no organized
Territorial government, she an Independent
reignty still, am by no prepared to say she has
been in the wrong in organizing State government and
seeking into the Union, whether admit her orno'
When this Government in which vested the s9ve-
eignty the country by the ceon from Mexico, failed
exercise it. the people Of California had alternative but
anarchy or 10 form government for themselves. Selfde
fence and preservation justified her in pursuing the latter
course. How long she to continue in her abandoned
condition Two sessions of Congress had passed. and there
was provision for her government and protection and
there little probability that the efforts Of the present Con-
gress would be successful Her condition pecu
liar She constituted and still constitutes point Of greater
attraction than any other all the EARTH There rush
to her mountains Of godan influx of population without
parallel in the history of Under such circumstances,
q
and asks not in contumacy, in derogaon OF
authority but express recognition of it, to be made State
jure, and admitted into this great family of States Her
constitution the work. and bears the impress Of American
citizens and to have been adopted with singular
nimiy. There is nothing to justify suspicion that the
character of it, reference slavery the result OF any
aneous influence 1t sufficiently appears that is emphat
cay the constitution of American citizens in California, at
the time of its adoption. 1t is objections however, entitled
consideration that the population, although at this time
sufficiently large very considerable extent unstable
and unsetledcomposed Of individuals not there with view
permanent residence. 1t also objected that the boun
danes too extensive
But s the eyes of all Northern gentlemen these obec-
tons fade away and oppose obstacle to her immediate
admission They impatient for her adoption. They
anxious take he-and questions asked The clause in
her constitution excluding slavery covers like MANTLE all
faults and Irregularities If that clause expunged out
what marvellous change would be produced in their views
and feelingsl
Well, sir, have made up my mind notwithstanding all
the objections and that it will be establishing pece
deno unite with them and admit California, and with
her designated boundary, provided they will be just and pa
tiotc, and settle the whole controversy the residue OF
the 20 Territories
am in favor Of measure providing for the admission of
California and the organization Of territorial governments for
the residue Of California and New Mexico without The Will
mot proviso leaving the question of slavery be settled by
the proper constitutional trbuna-he judiciarythe first
instance, should the question andb by the people in the
second whose authority be questioned when they
TO form State constitutions.
And how is possible that the Northern gentlemen, Wings
Democrats, resist the settlement in this mode of this
exciting and dsracing controversy Why leave open for
continued strife and agitation which have already Jared the
very foundations Of political eddcel Such measure
will leave the rights of all parties precisely where they
present. would be- if the country is left uncared for by
this Government shift for itself it can 1t the
South will have most ground of objection As to the North
State admitted in all respects agreeaby her wishes in
OF Territorial exen equal nearly to three States
OF the first class with upon the Pacific of
eight hundred miles, Astounding in gold beyond
widest dreams of ayarce, and with constitution excluding
slavery In comparison with this Ell Dorado, this land Of
go the residue Of this Mexican territory, for which govern
ments are sought to be established, is of little value.
And how, sir, has this Mexican Territory been
CURED Whether by conquest purchase, it has been
qured by the common vaor and suffering and Of the
nation, and belongs to all the peopeno State,
class OF States class of the people than
another. UGder such circumstances it would be in violation
OF all the principles of justice and equality exclude large
class from any participation i'll the enjoyment Of country
they have contributed in acquire for such the
effect OF this Wilmo provso, The inhibition of slavery
and equity would forbid this conceded
that Congress had the constitutional power But the South
denies the power Such is the undoubtng opinion of many
OF most eminent statesmen and urists and think the
prevailing sentiment in the South The South has been will
ling to submit the constitutional right to and hold their
slaves in this Territory to The decision of the Supreme Court
and abide the result And this mode of compromising and
settling the question would have saved the country from all
or much of this excitement. ~ " |
But Northern gentlemen with exceptions, claim
the They insist also, that slavery is excluded by
Mexican aw and contend moreover, if it not
exist there without express authority Of law. Every
Northern contends for this, and PROCESSES have
doubt upon the subject Besides all the foremost in all
the North, and Of the foremost of all his race any age
country, willing rely upon the character of the coun
try the irepeaable law Of God and nature for excluding
slavery from the residue Of this Territory Upon position
assumed by Northern gentlemen, then, this prouo wholly
unnecessary and useless. But, sir it is more and
than useless; under the circumstances wanton outrage
shoS Il
of respect for their feelings but their opinsns IT, however,
the South is right and Congress has the power then
not only outrage upon their feelings but upon their
sttuiona rights Why, then, should Northern gentlemen
penacouy insist upon this offensive and, according
their avowed sentiments, useless provision Why
display the magnanmty and patriotism Of the distinguished
Senator from Massachusetts, whom have auded-eave
the question be settled the character Of the country by
the country from the agitation and alarm that per-
vades it
But, sir, support of this provso, nhbitoy policy
genemen-and more especially my friend from Ohio (Mr
CANrBELL)have referred to and relied upon the opinions
OF distinguished patriots and statesmen and the views OF the
people Of the several States-Norh Caroline Georgia, and
Virgniaabout the period Of the Revolution What the
condition Of slavery that period have time inquire
and is not important The objection however, seems TO
have been more particularly aganst the African slave trade
But what did these eminent do afterwards and after
independence had been established In the solemn and
important act OF their lives with the Father Of his Country
their head they not only recognised and provided for the
continuance OF the African slave trade for twenty year, for
the express purpose Of increasing number the
country For this provision voted the North well the
South The former realized the money by the traffic the
latter desired and obtained the slaves And what State
sisted the adoption Of the constitution Of this