Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-02-19
Mr.. Clay's Remarks
On Introducing his Compromise ResolutiI

On Introducing his Compromise Resolutions
Mr.. President, hold in my hand series
Of resolutions which | desire 10 submit 10
the consideration Of this body. Taken to-
geher, in combination, they propose an am
cable arrangement OF all questions in contro-
versy between the fee aud the slave States,
( growing out of the subject Of slavery. II is
/ not my inlerlion, Mr.. President, at this time
TO enter, into a full and elaborate discussions
Of these resolutions, taken separately, or the
whole of them combined togeiheY, as com
posing system or measures; but desire TO
/ present lew observations upon each resolu.
! ton. with the purpose. chiefly, Of exposing
/ il fairly and fully before the Senate and he
fore the county; and may add, with the in
diligence OF the Senate, towards the conclu
sion, some general observations upon the state
OF Ihe country and the condition of the ques-
tlon TO which the resolutions relate. WheIh-
er they shall or shall not meet with the ap-
probation and concurrence of the Senate
AS | most ardenIly hope they may; as / most
sincerely believe they ought trust that At
least some portion Ofthe long time which |
had devoted. with care and deIiberatiou, TO
the preparation of the resolutions and TO the
presentation Of this great nslionsl scheme OF
compromise and harmony, will be employed
by each Senator befuie he pronounces against
the proposition embraced IN these resolutions
The resolutions. sir, are all preceded by a
shot preamble, 10 which Of course attach
ove'y great importance. The preamble and
FIST resolution are as follows:
1t being desirable for the peace, concord
and harmony of the union OF these States 10
settle aud adjust smicably all existing ques-
TONS of controversy between them arising
our Of The institution of slavery, upon fair,
equilabe. and just basis; Therefore
! lsr, Resolred, That California, with suit
able bouttailes, ought. upon her application
To be admitted as one of the States nc this
Union, wiihouf the imposition by Congress
OF any restriction in respecI TO the exclusion
or introduction Of sIav cry within those boun-
dlfies.
Mr. President. it must be acknowledged
there has been some irreguIariIy in The move
rlents which have terminated in the sdOp-
ZION Of A Constitution by California, and in
expression Ofhis Oish--not yet formally com
municaled TO Congress, il is true. but which
may be anticipated ia few days--lo be adj
m,ed latO the Union as a Stale. There has
been some irieguIsIily in the manner in which
they have framed that constitution. IL was
not pieceped by any ACT Ut Congress author
lztng The convention and designating The
boundaries olthe proposed State, according
to all The early practice OF this Government,
according 10 all the cases OF admission
of new STATES into this Union, which occur
ed prior. think, 10 that of Michigan. Mich
, igan, II am not mistaken, was the first State
which, ubbldden, unauthorized by any pre-
vious act OF Congress. undertook 10 form ot
herself constitution, and TO knock al the
door of Congress for admission into the Uu-
ION. recOllect that az the time when Micl-
igan thus presented herself. was opposed,
10 consequence "f hat deviation from the ear
ly practice OF he Government. to the adms-
SION. The majOrity determined otherwise,
and II must be m candor admitted by all men
that California has much mo,e reason to do
what she has done, unsanctloned aud unau-
thOnzed by pat eviOus act oi Congress, than
Michigan had To do what she did.
Sit, notwithstanding the irregulariiy Of the
admission OF Michigan Into The Union, it has
been happy event She forms now one Of
the bright stars Of this glorious Conlederacy
She has sent here to mingle in our councils
Senators and Representatives-men eminent.
~ distinguished, with whom we NAV all as.
s0clale with pride, with pleasure. and with
| satisfaction. Aud t'ust hat If California
/ irregular as her previous action may have
been in the adoption Of "A constitution. but
more unsuitable than was the action of Mich
| igau--If she also shalt he admitted. as is pto.
! posed by this first resolution, with suitable
limits, that she will make her contribution OF
wisdom. of patriotism, and OF good feeling to
! this body, In order to conduct the affairs of
! this great and boundless empire.
The resolution proposes her admission
when she applies for il. There is no inten-
| ri ri, A..
cation, but l thought II right to present this
resolution as a part Of the general plan which
| propose for the adjustment Of these un-
! happy difficulties.
The second resolution, is as follows:
ID. Resolved, That, as slavery does not
exist by law, and is not likely To be ntroduc-
ed i1lo any OF the territory acquired by the
| United States from the Republic Cf Mexico
it is ioexpedlent for Congress to provide by
law either for lis introduction into, OF exclu.
sion from, any part Of said territory;
and that appropriate territorial govern
menls onght to be established by Con-
gress in all of the said territory, not assign
ed as The boundaries of the proposed State
Of California, without the adoption of any
condition or restriction on the subject Of sls-
/ very.
TINS resolution, sir, proposes, ia the first
instance, declaration of Two IutlIs--one of
law aud the uther Of fact. The truth of law
which II declares is, that there does not ex.
isi at this rime, slavery within any potion
ofihe territory acquired by the UnIled States
from Mexico. When ] say sir, that all it is
truth, speak my own solemn and deliber.
ate conviction. | am aware that some gen.
/ llemen have held different doctrlue; but
am persuaded that they themselves, when
/ they come to review the whole ground, will
see sufficient reasons Tor change, or at least
modification. OF their opinions--but that, al
/ all events, II they adhere TO thai doctrine.
they will be found to compose u very small
mlporily OF the whole mass Of the people oi
I the United States.
The next truth which the resolution as.
serts is. that slavery is not likely to be intro
duced into any portion ofthst territory. That
! is a matter of fact; aud all the evidence upon