Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-08-03


magnanmiy Of the United States of America and this is
ehe magnanlmity which shown conquered defence
less and harmless people Sir, there not in the history
OF the Roman empire, ambition for aggrandizement
marked as that which has distinguished the American people,
There is not, in its whole history transaction unjust
this And what is the reasonwhat is the apology for it
there need for such Incorporate haste such violent
The question we are upon is not about New Mexico
does not concern New Mexico-and New Mexico stranger
oit The question really before from the beginning has
been not the settlement OF the boundary New Mexico
the ngS OF California to be admitted into the Union. Deac
them this question of New Mexico and her boundary from
b-eave the bill contain only its legitimate sabject-that
Of California alone you will afford New Mexico the right
be heard and if then pronounce against her, she
submit because from thst decision there is appeal
Well sir what apology be offered for this violation Of
the rights of New Mexico Its said that preserve
peace but ask how peace be by the
before us 1t excludes New Mexico from acting it an
all the world that you have refused admit her
participate in this commission hearing before
that you reject her constitution, before present.
ed and then after the lapse Of year. two three years.
the commission back bringing with all the excite
of this hour together with the increased excemen.
sequent upon and additional Injustice Sir those who
expect make peace in this way Judgment like him
"Who stems the stream with sand,
Or binds the fame with faxen band"
There will be peace until do not say justice-but
until hearing is given to New Mexico. know that the
constitution OF New Mexico is here. It her fault
mine enough that she has constitutions const-
tuition of her choice and that the fact s known is
well known 1t is historically known Her constitution is
known to the world just well known, distinctly known
the institution of any State My amendment provides
for the asceanng of adoption of this constitution by the
people, by official authority in official and constitutional
way provides for the admission Of New Mexico when
her constitution shall be brought here and fled in the Office Of
the Department of State and proclamation that eject shall
be issued by the President of the United States Although
would be regular to have that constitution before US
examine its provisions yet if the question must be whether
New Mexico shall admitted without evidence than
hayo
is entitled to be admitted now condionay upon her const
tuition being presented. No deny that if the
mission proposed shall be instituted now is at the risk
Of the rejection of New Mexico forever by of the dis
memberment of her territory.
And now is due myself say that while present this
claim behalf New Mexico not been choice my
wish to bring this great question into this BILL called Of
compromise and adjustment. Even the admission of New
Mexico under the circumstances would be contrary to all the
which have proceeded in regard the improper
construction Of this BILL but if the bill proceed with the
amendment of the Senator from Maine, the hazard Of dis
membering New Mexico then ask you when you pass to
protect and secure her rights II will be that do not
seek to affirm admit the boundaries Of New Mexico she
has defined them in her constitution do not desire 70 dis
turo the boundary question. have drawn amendments 10
provide for the adjustment Of this whole controversy by pro
vidng that New Mexico shall be admitted by proclamation
Of the Executive when her constitution is brought here and
that the commissioners Of the United States shall not
only the commissioners Of Texas but the commissioners Of
New Mexico and their proceedings shall be valid and bind
ing upon all the paes when they shall have been ratified by
the United States and by the States Of New Mexico and Of
Texas. Nor do intend Involve the fate of New Mexico
in the fate of this BILL My proposition only amend
men to the amendment of the Senator from Maine shall in
any against that and against the bill. But if il
cannot pass in the form contemplated by that amendment
then want New Mexico be have propos
ed the BILL the other hand be lost altogether then New
Mexico will have lost nothing by the effort made by me in her
behalf
Mr.. PRATT. desire to say word with regard to what
conceive to be the most extraordinary proposition ever SUBJ
mted to this body apprehend. sir, that such PROPOSE
ton could not have emanaed from other source than that
from which has feel confident that when the yeas
and nays taken, they shall be- that the Senator
from New York will stand alone because am sure there is
other member of this body who no
other member has announced openly this body his utter
disregard Of the constitution, and his oath to support IT.
Upon two occasions, sir, it known to every member OF
the Senate the honorable Senator from New York has an
nounced here, that from the origin fhs Government there
have been two anagonsc principles warning the one against
the other which must result in the course OF tme IN the
destruction of the weaker of the principles by the more pow
eful. These two principles are the principles OF human
liberty as he terms it. and the assumption IN the
Of the universal equality Of He has avowed that this
principle of human liberty the higher law, which ne feels
constrained to obey although may conflict with the express
provisions Of the constitution and his oath to sustain that In
srumen For example, he believes and admits that the
constitution Of the United States positively fobds the Con-
gress Of the United States to abolish slavery within the
States yet nasmuch this higher law Of his this principle
of human liberty, in conflict with the constitutions ne
ne snail De Dound tnls nlgner
gard the constitution of his country, and disregard his
oath support it. when the constitution and bis oath con-
Act with his voting for such unconstitutional act as the
abolition of slavery within the States of this Union think
may say am right, Mr.. President when assume that no
other Senator upon this floor would have offered the PROPOSE
ton upon which about to comment; because Is IN
every one Of its features directly subversve of every constu
tional principle.
Mr.. SEWARD. Will the Senator allow me word Of
explanation }
Mr. PRATT. yield the floor.
Mr. SEWARD. l distinctly deny that have ever, on
this floor elsewhere, maintained solitary principle OF
all the principles which have been put into my mouth by the
Senator from Maryland,
Mr.. PRATT. Then the Senator should be much obliged
to me for giving him opportunity Of denying what is uni
versa believed Does deny he has uttered and that he
has reiterated the sentiment that there law which he has
found above the constitution
Mr.. SEWARD. Yes sir, deny it.
Mr.. PRATT. Then he denies what every one knows ne
has said have heard him say and over again., and
his denial does make what assert call on every
Senator say the Senator from New York has not been
heard say that there higher law, which be felt bound
to obey, when that in conflict with the constitution
call any Senator this floor say whether he has not
heard the Senator from New York say this
Mr.. BALDWIN. Since an appeal is madeto other Sena.
must simply say that did understand the seni-
of the Senator from New York il has been stated by
the Senator from Marylsnd.
Mr.. FOOTE Every body else did.
Mr.. PRATT. do not know what the Senator from Con-
neccut by this dsavowal. Does he deny my CON-
mentary, give different construction from that which
put upon the remarks of the Senator from New York
Does he deny that the Senator from New York has said that
there is higher law than the Constitution of the United
States and one which he felt bound to obey when came in
conflict with the Constitution of the United States
Mr.. BALDWIN. have not the speech OF the Senator