The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-04-11
TELEGRAPH DISPATCHES.
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsHINGToN, April 8.
SENATE.

SENATE.
After the presentation of petitions and the
transaction of the usual morning business, the |
special order of the day, being Mr.. Foote'S
motion TO refer Mr.. Bells resolution to d Sc
lect committee OF thirteen
Mr.. Douglass gave notice that, after Mr..
Benton should have concluded his speech, he
would ask the Senate take up the Calit1 rnia
bill
Mr.. Benton proceeded to address the Sen
ate. 1t was proposed to make the admiss OH
of California part of the system of measures
for the settlement Of the whole question of
slavery. tie was opposed to the mixing of
subjects having no affinity, and was in favor
of the admission of California with her con-
stiiution. and he wanted to have a decision
upon the merits Of that question alone. She
was a separate State and should not be mix
ed up with anything below the dignity Of
State. She had washed her hands OF slavery
at home and should not be mixed up with it
abroad. He was opposed to mixing the ques-
ton of admitting California with all the ques-
tons every agitation had produced and ma
king one general settlement of the whole in
the nature of compact of compromise
The subjects are. 1st The creation of terri
torul governments in New Mexico and the
remaining part of California ID The ere
alton of new States in Texas the reduction
OF her boundary, the settlement of her dis
II Al Il u
her surplus territory to the United States
Sd. The recapture OF fugitive slaves. 4th.
The suppression Of the slave trade in the dis
trict of Columbia. 9Th. The abolition of
slavery within the United States and nom
enumerated catalogue of oppressive dlgres-
sonS and encroachments of the South.
| This was the list of subjects. and he was
against the mixture for reasons which applied
to the whole lump and to each separate in
gredient. California had the right 10 BIZ
treated as other States had been when ask
! ing for admission into the Union, none Of
which had been subjected TO the indignity of
having their application coupled with the
addition Of inferior and foreign questions Of
territorial governments brought up upon the
WIImot proviso.
The principal involved had already been
settled by California for herself and Tor the
purpose of removing all impediments to her
admission. How unjust then to connect it
with the question Of her admission to make
her admission dependent OH preceding settle
ments Of questions respecting neighbOrng
territories? The proviso involved ii conrro-
verted const.tutionalty, and therefore should
not be mixed with "a subject clearly beyond
doubt constitutional. H. was ready to vote
for governments to the territories, ard be-
tornia and New Mexico. and cannot be re-
vived in any part Of either without positive
enactments. He was ready to vote them gov
ernments without any provision on the sub
iect otsavery, but would not mix the ques-
TONS He was ready to vote upon the Texas
question. and upon the proposition for the re-
capture of fugitive slaves but not to tie them
to proposition of new State. California
had nothing TO DO with these questons-no
interest or connection with them.
For sixty years the question of slavery in
the District of Columbia and slavery in the
States had remained untouched, therefore
there are no reasons for the agitation and
fears proftssed in the slave States He de-
sired to do with all these questions us Congress
had done for sixty years-let them alone.
The slave market was us COOL and better
now than sixty years ago, nd it was IN evil
dence there was no danger that the rights oil
slave States would be infringed upon; not
only was there no danger but he argued that
Congress had by the act Of Northern men.
added slave territory, and tn sshows dispo-
sition to build up instead of defeating The
slaveholding interest.
MIR. Benton commented upon the anomalous
: condition of Caliiornia-the necessity for i'm
mediate measures for her relief, and closed
with an eloquent allusion TO the destiny OF
) the country on the Pacific.
Mr.. Clay submitted few remarks in relt-
, ton to his propositions on the California ques
, ton. The only difference between him and
, Benton. was, he believed that California
would be most speedily admitted by combina
= ton with other measures, while the Senator
. from Missouri believed that California would
be most successful as an Independent measure
/ Mr.. Clay disapproved heartily Of the comb
nation of the minority. He was in favor .
meeting argument with reason, and when h,
,