Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-04-16

the action thus proposed by a.separate vote upon
the admission Of California Sir, the POINT az
which the action OF the States OF the South has
been leyelled, inythe settlement OF this question,
is the interdiciIou of slaSeTysi the Territories,
passing under the tnedeFn bislurical name OF the
Wilmpt Proyiso-lhe iuteFdiction OF slavery IG
the Territories.
Now, SIR what is California al this day, at the
moment that speak what are the federal rela-
tions of that people to the United States Calf
fornia is Tcrritory-noihing but Territory ;
and | say it without the least dlsparagement to
the action OF her people in convention, California
is at this day, aud al this moment, a Territory.
and known only as Territory to the constitution
and the laws. Shecannnt become State, either
in the acceptaton of natiofia1 law. or within the
interpret oIf+of our constit1tlon, 1nth she ee
comes SO by the assent OF the Government OF the
United States, the owner of the Territory, or uu-
less she should place herself in opposition to the
government and make good her claim, vndca-
ting it by force Of arms She now remains a
Territory; and with every disposition which
cordially entertain to throw no obstacle IN me
way OF the people there in the formation OF
State governmcnt, or o. recognition OF State
government already formed, / am not prepared 10
DO it, and l cannot do it, while it is in derogation
of the rights of others-the rights of citizens OF
the Southern States.
The Senator from New Jersey. lMr. Dayton,l
who addressed the Senate some time ago, took
the ground distinctly, and arowed il in his place
upon tulS lIIaL Tue YuCSlIoIFO ouuI'SSiOh Is
non. admission OF California was the weakest form
for The South in which the question of slavery or
no slavery could be presented. Why did he say
50? He said SO because it might be considered
as complicated with the right of people TO go
rerh themselves; and il might be ascrihed to the
South that their true objection 10 the admission
Of California; should such objection be made, waE,
that in deciding for themselves, the people had
excluded slavery. Now, sir, circumstances and
events, over which none have control, have placed
il in the power of those representing tie free
States here to change the Issue in form, although
not in fact. The attraction of the gold mines
has hurried an immense population into that
Territory, and they have felt themselves strong
enough to assume an independent government
In doing this, they have assumed a boundary en-
bracing the entire Pacific front, and they have,
by their fundamental law, excluded the people OF
all the Southern States from removing there with
their slave property. Now sir, have no desire
for all this to remand them to territorial State,
and under proper conditions, TO refuse them ad.
mission into the Uuion, with such institutions as
they deem best for themselves; bnt, betoTe
this is done, am bound to insist on snch divi-
sion OF the common property that the rights ofah
shall be regarded
understood tho Hon. Senator from Massa-
chusetts, (Mr WEBSTER in speaking Of the ad-
mission of this State OF California, TO say that his
opinions upon that question were reserved; that
he could see no reason at a future day To refuse
admission to California with suitable boundaries
Since then, he has announced his purpose TO be
to admit her with her present boundaries. Now,
Mr. President, what wish TO say to honorable
senator's who are prepared 10 vote for the admis
ed-if their Pnrpose boz IN 1 doubt not II Is,
10 do no act gratuitously which may prevent
the adjustment Of our differences--is this For
bear that vote until some disposition is made
of the remaining Territories. Why should IL be
done? F? California has assumed the form of
State government, and is now, as we are inform
ed regularly sorganized-two houses OF legIsla-
tion, judiciary, and an executive, all appointed
all in operation. am perfectly aware that their
authority must be, TO Il certain extent, weakened,
and, their resources not fully under the control
of their people, that new vigor and new life will
be infused into them as soon as their existence IS
acknowledged upon.the part OF the United States,
and they are admitted into the Union. But Lean
not see SO great necessity tor II as 10 nave II
done now, in a hurried manner and prematnreIy,
and before other kindred questions are consider
ed the adjustment of which is to be vitality affect
ed by each preference to California. After the
State is carved out, there remains, a territory III
California two or three times as large in extent,
and with some 40 or SO 900 people, to be provid-
ed with government. Again, there is the Ter
ritory of New Mexico pressing, by petition on
our tables, for government TO protect them. i
do not see why one is more pressing upon us than
the other; but do see, although cannot ex-
press it more forciby than it was yesterday ex'
d
FooTE, why proper regard to large portion
of the States should require US TO act upon the
Territories before we act upon the State OF Cali
fornia.
Sir,ff there be man upon this floor who has
more sacred regard-a more superstitIous at.
tachment, if may SO express ito the Consti-
tuition which now binds these States together than
he who now addresses you, do not know whohe
is II there be State in this Union which has
given more undoubted proofs of loyalty TO the
Constitution than the State which represent IN
part know not what State il is. But, sir, know
ing, that people as | know them, they would not
regard the Constitution as worth the parchment
on which it is impressed, If il is to be maintain
ed at the expense of rights which they intended
it should secure. Now, sir; just as cordially as
they came into this Union, SO will they go out
of it, when they are satisfied that the bonds OF
Union are regarded by the majority only for the
purpose of oppression.
Now, Mr.. President, 1 submit il TO honorable
Senators who have at heart, as know they have
the preservation Of the Union, and the design to
save any rail- from the Consequences OF disunion
which have been so strikingly depicted here-1
call upon them TO pause before they bring into It
the State Of California, under the Constitution
adopted by her people, before some hnal disPosI-
ton has been made of the great questions yet nn-
decided in reference TO the government ofth re.
Sir, / hope am no alarmfst Ifeel no alarm
myself; but know the people Of the country
from which come well. ] believe know the
people of the southern States, through their re-
putation and by their acts ] know their deeply
excited feeling; and / know that nothing can
bring home to them keener sense of their con-
dition as hopeless manori.y- othing will more
fill them with alafm-than the admission Of ano-
ther free State carved ont of the Territory in dis
pute, before the question of prohibiting slavery
Ia the remain is finally disposedof
Mr.. President, repeat again, and believe IN
so doing Isexppess the sentiment of the people Of
those States, that there are none whoare against
the admission of California as State or who de-
sire to have her delayed longer than e necessary
to the protection of their and their safety
Imean CaIifornia with suitable boundaries, a
Question which II may discuss when the PROPOSE.
-. or,al,s haEnrc isl