Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-06-14
peoeEEDtsGs OF CONGRESS.


After some sarcastic and amusing observations
in relation 70 the appointment OF the Committee
of ThiIt and their operations, he said Cali
fornia was made the scape-goat of all the sins
of slavery though innocent Of it herself, their
sins were all hsaped upon her head !; giving an
account of the proceedings among the Jews, in
sacrificing goat for the expiaton Of the sins of
Israel, for the purpose of showing the analogy
between that ceremony and the action of the
Committee of Thirteen. One of the reasons
given for the conjunction of the several meas
ures relative to California, was the speed with
which she was to come in such connection
This argument had been fully answered by the
lapse of time. Another argument was the dan
ger OF such opposition to the admission of Cali
fornia, separate measure, as would defeat
that measure altogether that reason had been
abandoned by those who advanced it.
! California was made mere handmade Of the
| Territories, to be used for these purposes. Three
months ago he and Mr.. Clay stood together in
favor of the independent admission Of California
The Senator from Kentucky left him, as he had
a right to do, and he had refused to follow, as he
had right to refuse but Mr.. Clay had no right
| TO call upon those who chose otherwise to follow
the path which he had taken. He did not admit
that the Territories were the supreme objects of
! consideration. He admitted that they were OBJ
Jects demanding the attention of Congress f; he
felt that the neglect which they had experienced
was a shame and reproach to Congress, but they
were not the superior objects, and entitled TO the
first consideration. California occupied that
position, having prepared herself for immediate,
/ fuil-grown action, and presented herself for ad
mission into the family Of the States.
The plan was that by this bill California and
/ the territories were TO be carried through to-
gether; but, suppose they should both be de-
ieated together; suppose California, to whom
! there was little no objection, should be drag
ged down with measures TO which there was
much demurring, where would be her remedy,
ana what the reasonable excuse for submitting
her to such fate Why should the friends Of
California be compelled TO vote against her ad-
mission, or to take with, and vote for measures
which they honestly believe to be injurious, and
which they cannot, therefore, vote for, and fulfil
the obligations which they had assumed.
He proceeded 10 consider the several bills re-
ported by the Compromise Committee, exposing
their various objections and ncongrulties. He
dwelt at much length upon that portion of the
California bill proposing to define the boundaries
of Texas and New Mexico describing the geog
raphy Of the country, and contending that the
boundaries suggested are unnatural and inexpe-
dient
Having disposed of this branch Of the subject,
ne proceeded at great length, with general ex-
animation OF the scheme presented a COM
promise, cOnyulsing the chamber with laughter
at his dgolI analogies and illustrations, and at
tacking the matter in q strain of biting sarcasm
L
and with no measured terms, 10 the originators
Of the scheme, its advocates and supporters.
In conclusion he observed that il was time to
end this comedy Of errors-California was
suffering for admsson-and the territories for
protection. With a view to that end, he had
made the motion TO postpone.
On Tuesday, Mr.. CAss addressed the Senate
lie expressed his regret at the remarks made by
Mr.. Benton yesterday There was a tone of
sarcasm ~ them which was calculated to excite
a temporary qualification, but could do good
tie regretted especially his illusions TO the Chair
man of the Committee of Thirteen. The long
continued and great public service of that Sena-
tor should have saved him from such an attack
The Senator from Missouri had truly said that
ours was great, prosperous and happy country;
but he had read human history to little purpose,
who did not know that troubles might arise as
wei! IN prosperous country as in one Of more
adverse circumstances. Prosperous as we are,
trouble had arisen which was under considera-
ton, and which he believed TO be most proper
subject Of compromise He had not been pre-
pared for the violent opposition which the
scheme of settlement proposed had met, although
he knew well that no plan whatever, even if
presented by angel from heaven, could be
unanimously accepted. A short time since the
South was threatened with the Wilmot Proviso.
and yet when project was brought forward to
avoid that issue and settle the whole question, il
met the utmost hostility from gentlemen repre-
senting the South. On the other hand, certain
Senators from the North and West opposed it,
just as heartily an abandonment of important
considerations. If he had had doubt of the
justice OF the scheme before this meeting of
extremes against it would have removed them
all When extremes so meet it is always a
pretty good evidence that the proposition which
they opposed was one on which Just and reason
able men might properly unite. In this case,
one section, or portion of IT, demands the in
stltuton Of slavery by positive law, and the
other section denounced its recognition.
The plan presented by the Committee ran be-
tween these extremes, and if adopted, would
settle all difficulties, and would be universally
hailed with JOY. The Senator from Kentucky,
(Mr. Clay,) had never engaged in nobler work
than the preparation, prosecution, and advocacy
Of this scheme; and let the result be what it
might, the pure motive which he had brought
into this measuse, and the patriotism and energy
with which he had presented and urged it, would
deserve and receive the thanks of his country.
Mr.. DAYTON next took the floor and proceeded
TO consider the measure under discussion, with
view 10 defending the recommendation by the
President. The Committee OF Thirteen had
been appointed with view to conciliate, har-
monize, and unite conflicting views feelings and
interests and yet, when il was brought here it
was evidently the offspring of confusion and the
child OF discord. 1t was met at its very birth
by the execrations and repudations of its re-
puted fathers, who would have strangled il in
Its birth, except for the energy of one man,
. (Nr. Clay,) who seized and upheld it with one
hand, while he received all assailants upon the
other; and yet, in the presence of all this dis
cord, gentlemen expressed their surprise and
regret that the President and his friends had not
/ come forward TO the defence and support of this
/ object of assailment. II really seemed to him
/ that the surprise and regret should have come
from the other quarter
Seven formed a majority Of the committee.
J The President and his Cabinet then we re en,ial
in number to the majority of the committee, yet
IT had been matter Of surprise that they had not
! yielded their candid and honest convictions to
the dctation of the committee, when the work
of that committee met decided approval from no
quarter whatever year ago the doctrine of