The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-07

is concerned if there is any difference between the
plan recommended by the President and that pro-
posed by the Committee of Thirteen, the ad vantage
is on the side OF the plan OF the President; for. while
IL is next to impossible that slavery find its
way into that Territory with the proposed terrific
rial government, were New Mexico admitted into the
Union as State alta early day, provision made
for its admission come future day, without further
legislation, few enterprsing shareholders, should
they become satisfied that slave labor would be profit
able in New Mexico, would find but little difficulty
with the present plant and docilc population IN re-
conciing them to the institution Of slavery. Once
admitted into the Union as State, they would be
free 10 model their constitution at discretion. If
| rich placers or gold mines should be discovered,
! slavery would inevitably 20 there; otherwise, as
suredly not; and in either event. there would be
no ground of future discord or disturbance to the
Union.
security in the provisions of this bill for any of
the benefits expected To be derived from it; and
that, equivalent for the admission Of Calitor-
nia the policy Of the President 10 more favorable
to the South than the plan Of the Committee Of
Thirteen; and will state that know some south
ern Senators who agree in sentiment with me up
on this point, who will nevertheless vote for this
| bill
| Mr.. FooTE. i have no desire to interrupt the
honorable gentleman from Tennessee, but would
like to know whether this proposition is not in part
comprcbendcd III his own resolutions?
Mr.. BELL. The honorable Senator from Missis-
! sippi cannot have done me the honor to listen to
| the course of my remarks.
MIR. FooTE. think heard the greater part Of
them.
Mr.. BELL. When introduced those resolutions
| was willing to stand by them. | have not said
that will not stand by them still have been
contending that the provisions Of the bill providing
! for q territorial government in New Mexico pro
poses substantial concession to the South, or
such an equivalent for the admission Of California
as to give ii preference all other plans of ad
justment. want neither to be deceived in regard
TO it, nor to deceive others.
Mr. FoorE. Will the Senator from Tennessee
pardon me once more for interrupung him?
have great confidence in his sagacity, know his
devotion TO the South, and am satisfied that nothing
but sense OF justice to the South actuates Y i'm
here. But in regard to those resolutions of MIS-
upon which the great plan of adjustment is prin
cipally based, must confess that whilst recog
] nised him decidedly public benefactor in pro
posing them, for which have always considered
him entitled to peculiar gratitude, yet it he
has been merely contriving to lead myself and
others into mistake, and has induced US To accord
a respect and favor to his resolutions, which
he is himself willing to show was misplaced.
shall feel that he has led into position and
abandoned us in manner justifying us in the use
of the strongest language of complaint. Sir, /
conceive that the Senator from Tennessee ia bound
to treat with tenderness his offspring. Ii is
unnatural, as it appears TO me, that the Sena tor
from Tennessee should abandon and denounce, and
even murder outright the offspring of his ge-
MUS He has heretofore called upon to succor
and sustain this production OF his intellect and
now he denounces us, before the whole country, for
succoripg and cherishing what he brought into :
isence, and TO which he owes true parental coun-
tenancc, and
Mr.. BELL. My friend from Mississippi has en-
lightened me on this subject. | did not know that
was his leader. Sir, when drew up my resolu.
tons, the honorable gentleman was one of those
had III my eye my leaders ! knew his noble
nature; that he was above sectional views; that on
the other hand his views were broad and national.
knew he was denounced at the North as fire.
brand-as man who would plunge this country
into a civil war. But knew he n very differ
ent man from that. knew that he and some of
his friends at the North were disposed to admit a
new State TO be carved out of the Territory Of Tex
as as equivalent for the admission of California
as free State took the idea, and was willing
to iorego my own yiews, and to adopt those OF the
honorable Senator and his friends, in providing a
Territorial government for New Mexico and upon
these views formed my resolutions. But the Com
mittee of Thirteen together with the honorable gen
teman and his friends, deserted me, and cut OIL
the only one of my resolutions which had partic-
ulary at heart am not willing 10 be 50 cntrap-
ped. ! am under no obligation of consistency to
support this bill, though may do But must
be permitted to examine its provisions freely, and
my friend will, trust, be patient while submit
some searching and pungent remarks than
any have yet made upon the subject.
Mr.. FooTE. can promise the gentleman shall
listen with patience, as ! always do. But ] will
say, if he really has made up his mind to vote for
the bill, hope he has, doubt whether it is the
beet policy TO weaken the support TO it in the South
think we have ground 10 complain if he does, for
at home, after shall have voted for the bill
Mr.. BELL. ! have considered all that. ! have
before remarked that regretted having submitted
any propositions of my own upon this subject, as
they place in a false position with those who do
not understand that the principal object had In
Offering the series of resolutions did on a former
occasion, has been defeated. But my friend from
Mississippi need be uEder no apprehension that any
thing ] shall say in regard to this measure will
weaken its effect upon the country, should 1t rass
Congress. In the South, generally, and in his own
State, the honorable Senator himself will be iully
competent to sustain the measure in full populari-
ty with the people; and promise to take care that
nothing shall say will prejudice it in my own
State, where alone can expect my voice to be
heard.
/ next propose 10 inquire whether the provisions
Of the bill in relation New Mexico will give quiet
to the country? Whether they will repress the agi-
tations which the acquisition of these Territories
has given birth tor | fear they will not fear
that, while the provisions Of the bill viii not prove
satisfactory TO a considerable portion of the South,
the agitation at the North will continue with in
creased violence. Sir, from the moment you pass
this bill, and as long territorial government,
according 70 its provisions, shall exist In New
Mexico, the watchword at the North will be repeal
or the application of the Wilmot proviso. qucs-
ton whether the Senator from Mississippi himself
expects agitation to cease upon the passage OF this
bill.
f Mr. FoorE As the honorable Senator desires
} my opinion, will state il briefly. / entertain no
doubt at all that nine-tenths of the people of all
the States except one worthy State, will not only
be satisfied but profoundly grateful to us for the
adoption of this measure. / have doubt that il
will save the country from the most serious present
evils, and impending perils more serious than any
VIC have ever heretofore encountered; and believe
it will be sustained by this and all future genera.
tons.
MIR BELL. wish could entertain the same senti-
ments; but fear that the Senator from Mississippi
Is mistaken No, sir the question at the North will
be renewed and agitated with increased bitterness.
Minglng in all elections heretofore, the chance,
slender it may be, and scarcely apPrecablc, that
I slavery may be extended into New Mexico, will be
sufficient 20 keep all the elements of agitation in
full blast at the North while at the South the er-
element originally produced by this state Of senti-
mcnt at the North will find no abatement in its
tendency TO sectional alienation and animosity.
We hear what is said in this chamber ON the SUBJ
jcct; know the of the northern press and
we cannot shut our eyes 60 the preparations max
ing for further and more violent agitation.
Mr.. FoOTE. ] am surprised that the Senator
from Tennessee does not discover that this cry OF
repeal here s fnere empty menace, endcavoriug "
turn from the support of this measure. This cry
is raised by the AbOitoniss and .soicrs, who
denounce this bill and oppose it. And whyf Be.
cause they know WE'LL If this measure passes, abo-
Htion ia Head for,yer.