The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-05
IN CONGRESS- OF THE q. STATES,
FRIDAY. MAY 8. 1850.
HOUSE OF MISREPRESENTATION.


i HOUSE or REPREsEsTArIvEs
4 After the reading OF the journal,
The Secretary Of the Senate, appearing at the bar Of the
House. delivered message announcing the passage OF
sundIy bills BY the Senate which were duly laid on the
Mr. FEATHERSTON asked the unanimous consent Of
the House to offer resolution calling the President TO
have transmitted to the House copies OF all the opinions
livered since 164l but
Mr. MeGAUGHEY objecting. leave was not granted.
pension Of the rules to 60 into Committee Of the Whole
4 on the state OF the Union. ss
Mr. DANIEL. suggesting that this private bill day,
syIvan'a on that account. as out oi ORDER moved hs
suspension OF the rules to 60 into Committee OF the
| Whole on the private calendar.
i The SPEAKER after explaining, ruled the motion Tor
the suspension Of the rules to 90 into the Committee OF
Whole the state of the Union to be in orderthe Gen.
sus bill under consideration in that committee, being
Mr.. JOHN SON. Of Arkansas, rising to privileged
motion, moved that when the House adjourn it would
adjourn over until Monday next; on which motion The
and nays having been asked and ordered II was not
MIR. WIN NrHROP moved to reconsider the motion BY.
the Whole on the state Of the Union the joint resolution.
from the Committee Naval Affairs, concerning the
American prime meridian This being private bill day,
| the motion TO reconsider went over.
| The SPEAKER then put the question on the motion
for the suspension of the rules 20 into Committee OF
the Whole the state Of the Unions which being agreed
The committee (Mr THOMPSON, Of Mississippi, in the
cha proceeded to the consideration Of various amend
mens TO the census BILL which were duly explained BY
the OF each, in five minutes speeches, before be-
ing voted ON; in the course of which.
Mr.. WOODWARD said his speech day before yester-
day had been misconceived He at all to
having the wealth and social condition Of the South fully
known. His views were OF the opposite character. Al
early period OF the session. he had been requested by
committee which many wished to have the census bill
referred He consented at once TO be made member OF
such committee; and his views being made known to a
e a H w apponsd aaas an evening"
meeting at my lodgings, with view to construct ample
tables Of every description Sickness s prevented tbs
constitution, TO see how far Congress might CO. being dis
posed to carry its powers to the full extent The result Of
%
the inhabitants BY classes distinguishing free persons
from slaves
He was perfectly willing that the census might ask
any questions, proper way, and collect any information
that the people might be willing impart. But he OBJ
jected strenuousy 10 sending forth officer to demand
and, with legal penalties, extort to any questions
this government might choose to have put
The honorable chairman Of the Judiciary Committee
may be correct in saying that he lMr. W) gave vote
bill OF last session relative TO Census Board attracted
no attention II passed probably, like many other bills.
BY three votes or two votes, or probably no vote at
except the Speakers announcement, "The ayes have it,
Ii there be precedens against me, (sad Mr. W. let them
go for what they are worth, but no more.
BY unanimous consent the census bill having been
laid aside, the committee took up the Presidents Calfor
MI, WfLMOT. who was entitled to the aoor. went on
to sddIes. the @ ccnRss arguing that the debate % ias
slavery over the Territories. This the best possible
justification for his previous course and OF that he in
past years Of public eseemsn. sttssed he magnitude Of
this struggle Except the revolutionary struggle there
had been nothing like i in importance The great ques
tons TO be settled in this controversy whether the
southern half Of this continent should. in future. be
slayeholding or non-savehoding, and whether this
government should be controlled BY arstocracy based
banded man, threatening the continuance Of the
Union. To submit TO their dctation would be equiva-
lent to an entire surrender Of the rights Of their
Mr. w here described what he alleged to be the posi-
ons threats, &c. Of the South to prove the views
ferred 10 above
The question was, whether the majority on this floor
should discharge its constitutional duties should il
surrender up the government under the threat OF band
better fitted for service on plantation under the lash Of
the whip, than for seat on this floor. The North
acting consttutonaly and conscenously in view Of the
insisting on It's prohibition Mr.. Calhoun proposed to to
amend the constitution 10 place the government in
The hands Of a minority; The North unanimously re-
ccied the proposition. But II the South become
The masters OF the North. he desired it to be done under
written change in the constitution. The advocates Of
slavery in the House made far dangerous demands
than that OF Mr.. Calhoun They also amounted to de,
mand for perpetual change making the existence OF the
government the price OF bowng to their will He trusted
that the majority dared to stand up for the rights OF their
CONSTITUENCIES or would they give way to the threats OF the
minority
Formerly, no, more than FIVE northern members were
opposed TO the admission OF California uncondonally
N the opponents OF that policy were be relied on the
North was about 10 succumb. II the latter gave
way now, upon what ground did they intend 10 stand
The great question should not be embarrassed by the
connexion with any other The history OF the subject
was one OF high and naughty bearing on the part of
the South and OF cowardice that of the North Under
the influence OF threats and the promise Of prefement,
as greatly endanger their cause. Some al the North,
under the cloak and disguise OF friendship had hurt the
Proviso greatly, BY raising the cry that the measure
was pematurey insisted on, or that was humbug ab
straction. .rsstf q tEa fs8r rs44
Mr. Brodhead, former colleague OF his in bis course,
furnished him illustration OF this truth Three years
ago. that gentleman seeking reasons to justify his nen-
ton at that time 10 vote against the Proviso, pledged him
sell in favor OF the principle now, he foremost in
denouncing the Pfoviso as unconstitutional Hundreds
OF Others who like him, then professed friendship for
the Proviso, following n the footsteps Of Mr..
Brodhead
Mr.. Webster, who now stands opposed 70 the Pro-
yso, claimed TO be its author He had right TO credit
for it, Mr. Buchanan himself, in the BeTks letter, took
ground in favor OF the Provso That gentemans sub
sequent course, like that Of Mr. Webster, had been .
race for southern support for the presidency
Mr.. McCLERNAND y, asked Mr.. WnMcT whether Mr.
Brodhead had steadily voted against ihe Provsof
4 Mr. WILMOT continuing said he believed Mr.. B..
had He did not refer 70 his votes, but 10 one OF his
MIR. STEPHENS (also interupting MI. WnMor) re-
marx ed that Mr. Brodhead had twice voted for the Mis-