The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-18

the last congress, tnat ne wouId never agree
to any arrangement which would not give to
his constituents their share Of this Territory.
Such remarks are further objectionable,
because they tend to revive the spirit Of party.
Sir, the country is in danger. If we must
have party contests on this floor, let them be
delayed till that danger is over. Then we
shall not shrink from them, Till then let US
have generous emulation who shall do
most to save the Constitution and to save
the country. Let no man colaly. stand of,
and says, you are responsible, get out as you
can. His all is involved as well as ours I
Mr.. b. Withdrew the arps2liaent.
Mr.. FEKTHERSTON renewed it. He
said: Mr.. Chairman, the principal reason
assigned by the friends of California for her
immediate admission is, that the will and
wishes Of the people there in forming State
government should be carried ont. If we
act on this principle, we must necessarily
confne her southern boundary to the line Of
SO deg. 80 min. South Of that line the peo-
pie do not ask for State government, but
on the contrary protest solemnly against it,
and desire territorial government. This
fact is clearly demonstrated by the proceed
ings Of the convention. The delegates south
Of 36 deg. 80 min. voted against it all. Why
do you force form Of government upon
them contrary to their will, one for which
they do not ask, and which they reject 7
Your declaration is, therefore, unfounded in
fact, and solemn mockery Of the very prin-
ciple that you profess to hold SO dear, to wit,
lot xh,c r,1a ,bopll Ear !.
selves what form Of government they would
adopt.
This territory, too, south of SO degrees
80 minutes, is part, if not all, included
within the boundaries Of the State of Deseret.
If your position be correct, that the people
of California had the right to form State
government without the consent Of Congress,
then you must admit that Deseret had the
same right. If she had the same right, her
title to the territory south of this line Of SO
degrees 80 minutes is best She first formed
her constitution, first exercised this right.
Why do you reject her title, and recognize
that Of California? Because California ex-
Guided slavery and Deseret did not. The
question Of boundary is question within the
control and jurisdiction Of Congress.
Five minutes expired. ...~
Mr.. S. withdrew the amendment.
Mr.. MEADE renewed the amendment
He desired to make few remarks in reply
to an argument Of the gentleman from Ohio,
Mr.. CARTER, who spoke. yesterday.
That gentleman had thrown out the idea that
this territory is held in trust by the United
States for the benefit of the people inhabit-
ing the territory According to this view,
then, the moment the treaty with Mexico
was ratified, co insiante we became trustees
for the benefit of the people Of Mexico in
| habiting the territories. This would present
this anomalous state Of things: The United
States complained of injuries received from
the Republic of Mexico and her depend
encies, and for the purpose Of obtaining in
demnty for these injuries, we waged war
with her. ....ra ..#I r
When we demanded indemnity for these
outrages, were we demanding it for those
who perpetrated them, or for those who suf-
fered from them? Was there ever such pre-
posterous proposition submitted !? Who
committed these outrages, Were they not
committed by Mexico, of which this terri
tory formed part OF whom did we de-
ma nd indemnify fthose very people for
whose benefit the gentleman says we hold
the territory Are we, then, to be regarded
as trustees for those who committed the out
RACES, or for those who demanded reparation:
If anything more preposterous than this had
ever been submitted, he would like to hear
it. The people Of the United States had
received injury from Mexico, and had de-
manded indemnity for an injury done all the
States Of the Union, and to all the people Of
the States. And if any of the States are
excluded from their portion Of it, injury and
injustice are done to the portion of the States
so excluded. If the North appropriates the
whole of it to herself, the Sonth has a right
to complain of this as an act Of injustice.
Had it been an indemnity in money instead
Of territory, does any doubt that the South
would have been entitled to the millions
which would have been her share? The peo-
pie of the South had to pay their proportion
Of the expenses of the war, and tier share Of
the fifteen millions paid for this territory.
After having thus contributed her proportion
of the costs, can it be permitted that the
North, relying on her numerical strength,
should come here and pass laws for the pur-
pose Of excluding the South from all part:ci-
patton They offer the Wimet Proviso.
The South can never submit to that proyiso
without sense of her inferiority that must
ultimately degrade and humiliate her people.
No, sir, the Federal Government is agent
and trustee for all those who suffered from
the outrage to repair which the territories
were acquired.
Mr.. M. withdrew the amendment.
Mr.. billiard renewed it and said
This amendment brings up a great question.
1t proposes to allow such States as may here
after lie formed out of territory lying south
Of the parallel of 36 deg. 80 min, to come
into the Union either with or without slavery
as their people may happen to prefer when
they form their constitution.
This brings up the question Of the power