The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-25


country became entitled to the inchoate right.
Of citizenahip. We may, By adopting the
State, and legalizing what has been done, be
introducing at a single bound, into eqasl
privileges with ourselves, in this Govern
ment, the poems Of some Mexican rancho,
whose only claim to this dear privilege was
their insensiblity and recklessness OF obliga-
ton to any flag or sovereign. do not wish
to cheaper the title Of american citizenu
All these points, and more, should in the
first place have been ascertained and settled.
Nevertheless, as am not an advocate OF a
second war in California, and do not desire
to add to existing irritation by any unbe-
coming punctio about the order Of her com
ing, especially failing to perceive any con-
stituti0naI objection to her admission, my
action in her case rests upon single ques-
ton, to WITT g What shall be done with the
remaining territory I"
am not to be understood as hating, be-
cause slavery has been prohibited by the
constitution OF California. That constitutes
no objections for have conviction that it
is the will Of her people, instigated by no
improper influence, except, probably, o fear.
Of the failure Of her application in the abb
sence Of such provision. What compromise
shall be made have remarked, that j
prefer an equitable partition OF the territory
in the spirit Of the Missouri case, but for
the sake Of peace and harmony, will meet
on another basis, to Wits the admission
of California, and the institution Of terrific
rial governments over the whole remaining
country, under our flag, giving protection to
property and persons under such govern
ments, silence on the subject Of slavery, and
guarantee that, when State consti utionsare
formed, the people may choose their own IN
sttutions, and whether slavery be permitted
or excluded, the admission into the Union Of
the State or States to be formed from such
territory. Why do the Representatives
from any extreme Of the Union shrink with
timid shyness from the adoption of these con-
iliatory propositions? We cannot have
peace, and harmony, and administrative en-
ergy, until something is effected upon this
subject. Why not adopt one or another Of
the bases suggested
| have heard the remark frequently on
this floor, especially from this size Of the
House, that the plan of the Administration
is, to admit California and there to halt
leaving New Mexico under her present gov
ernment--and that advocacy OF territorial
government in New Mexico is opposition to
the views OF the Pesident. have no au-
thority to speak for the Administration, and
merely declare my own opinion waen |
say, that the proposition as stated is not cor
rect, anil the conclusion deduced from it is
not proper conclusion. do not believe
the President is opposed to the institution Of
territorial governments in the territories, or
that he desires the existing condition OF
affairs to continue in New Mexico, if we
can institute civil government there without
sacrificing the public peace by an unworthy
quarrel over the matter OF slavery. On the
contrary, from my knowledge of the charac-
ter Of the President, believe an adjustment
would be to him source of unalloyed salts
faction, and if the Legislative department can
progress to the full discharge Of its duty,
without a sacrifice Of the Union, it would
realize his hopes and meet his hearty co-ope-
ration do not know the opinions of cabi-
net minsters-nor do l care what they may
be. only speak from documentary evl-
dence in reach Of all, as to the views OF the
President. Injustice is done to the President
in the attempt to construe his message into
an ADVOCACY Of mon-action, as the pretera-
bic policy under all circumstances. In adj
vising Congress to abstain from the introduce
ton Of topics likely to produce geographical
determinations and sectional parties, Gene
raj Taylor acted upon the supposition that
California and New Mexico would both
apply directly for admission as States; and
it was believed the silent operation of popu-
lar power might avoid the necessity Of con-
gressional action in the matter. But the
hope Of General Taylor has not been realized
New Mexico has not applied for admission
as State.
On the 31st December last, BY vote OF
lOl to SO, this House refused to lay on the
table the resolution Of an honorable mem
Der from Ohio, directing the Committee on
Territories TO report bill for the provision
Of territorial governments, with the prohlbi-
ton Of slavery attached thereto. On the 2lst
Of January, 1850, the President commune
Gated message containing the department
tai reports touching California, and availed
himself Of the opportunity to review the
reason for his original suggestion Of delay in
congressional action, and also to add another
suggestion why the delay should be contin-
ued in regard to New Mexico The yot.
on the resolution Of the gentleman from Ohio
had fortified the apprehcnsicns OF the Presi-
dent, that excitement would prevail to an
undue cxtent.n The Texas claim is, in this
message, for the first time brought forward,
and the President, with due regard to the
feelings Of Texas, suggests that, until Con-
gress has devised mode Of adjusting that
Interference, the institution Of a territorial
government, embracing the interference and
supsradding to existing causes Of disquletude
any oppression Of Texas might not be polite
The President, even in this message, sha-
dows forth again the idea which induces his
recommendation, and it is this, that Congress
is in a temper and state Of feeling which