The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-10

tleman who had spoken, he did not intend TO make
a speech for Buncombe. He paid compliment 10
Mr.. Richie, and alluded 10 his long service in the
cause OF the Democracy; and said ne believed that
the gentleman who had just spoken was in favor Of
the Presidents plan.
MIR. PHELPS. No.
Mr.. MoMULLEN Then, what are you in ia
off
Mr.. PHELPS had nothing to say in relation To the
Presidents plan. lie was in favor of the adnis-
sion of California; and he declared that he desired
To adjust all matters at issue between the North
and the South If any plan shall be presented
with this view, il shall receive his appreciation. He
did not prefer the plan OF the Senate; because he
did not know what IL is or what il will be.
Mr.. McMULLEN. Does not the gentleman
from Missouri now say that he will vote for the adj
mission of California in advance of the settlement
Of the other questions?
Mr.. PHELPS. mean to vote for the admission
Of California II is the duty of Congress to provide
territorial governments for New Mexico and Utah
without the Wimot proviso.
MIR. Mem ULLEN said, disguise it as you may,
the people will take this view of the question: those
who vote for California, in advance Of settlement
OF the other questions, might well face the mu-
sic and galop to the tune of the Wimot proviso at
once; for the result will be, New Mexico and Utah
will follow the example of California and come in
with slavery prohibition. He took the ground
that wherever the American flag goes, man has
right to transfer his property. He desired terrific
rial governments for the Territories The North
and the South fought for the property; and now
they are contending over the spols. Do the North
act like honest men in endeavoring to appropriate
all to themselves? No; but like thieves There is,
however, honor among thieves Because they have
the power, is il that they should pass the
Wilmot proviso? The South never asked for an
unconstitutional measure. Congress has power
either to establish or prohibit slavery; it would be
contrary to the Constitution
He replied to his colleague, (Mr. HAYMoNp,) and
had not finished his remarks when the hour to
which he was limited by the rule expired.
Mr.. ALLEN, Of Massachusetts, said that the
"A m he fhe naaa of o;ta tot Tho
country at large II had been shown in the dis
cushions that, SO far from securing "the blessings
OF liberty, one of the purposes for which the Con
stituton of the United States was framed some
thing far different is sought. 1t had been shown
that liberty, so far from being supreme in the Gov
eminent, holds subordinate rank. He then en-
tered upon history, to demonstrate that not only in
the acquisition OF territory has change come over
the Constitution Of the country, but great idea
enforced of establishing slavery as the paramount
duty OF this Government, and to extend and per-
Petuate 1t forever. In the course of his remarks,
he spoke OF the straightfor wardness of the Free
Sellers. They had no disposition to dodge the
Wilmot proviso; they act out their purposes here
and elsewhere, and openly and fcaressly tell what
they will do. "Wc will'' he said, "surely put
stop to the entertainments of the slave power,
break the bands Of oppression, and let the OPP
pressed go free, and secure freedom, not in name,
but in fact not to the high, but to the low
Mr.. THURMAN, Of New York, said that he in.
tended to speak New York man, as a Northern
man, and national patriot He held, that
whatever power Mexico possessed over the ac-
CURED territories was transferred to the Govern.
ment of the United States by the treaty of Guada-
upe Hidalgo and that Congress, with the aid of
the President have power to restrain slavery in the
Territories, if Mexico had not restrained it. He
was not sickly sentnentalist, who regarded sla-
very sin. He could see nothing in the inter
probation of the Old or New Testament to show that
slavery is sin He did not believe that any men
on earth have right to prescribe matters Of faith,
and he did not desire to press question of belief
his brethren OF the South; and, therefore, he would
not load them with sin by any sentinientality of
his own. He regarded slavery local and polit-
cal evil; and because he had political, not ecces-
astica power, he would aid in keeping slavery out
OF the Territories He argued in favor of the ad-
mission of California, without being connected
with other measures. 1t should stand upon its own
merits. He did not say that politicians are anx-
ous for dissolution of the Union; but if gentle
men should return TO their constituents, they
would find that the latter have been reposing in
peace and quietudc, while the former have been
tormented by their diseased ina ginations.
Mr.. HAMILTON obtained the floor; when the
committee rose, and
The House took recess until eight O'Clock in the
evening.