The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-21
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. McLANE, of Maryland, from the Commit
tee on Commerce, reported bill authorizing the
Secretary of the Treasury to deposite two millions
of 1881 in the United States Mint, to be exchanged
for gold bullion, when presented.
few words OF explanation ensued; and finally
the bill, after undergoing amendment, was passed.
Mr.. TAYLOR, from the Committee on the Dis
trict Of Columbia, reported bill to incorporate the
Eagle Steamboat Company; which was referred to
the Committee of the Whole on the state Of the
Union.
Mr.. .DUER, as a privileged question, offered
resolution that, unless sooner brought to conclu-
sion the debate on the annual message of the Pres
ident Of the United States shall cease Thursday
next, at two o'clock, when the Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union shall proceed to
vote on the questions pending.
On motion of Mr.. lNGE the resolution was laid
upon the table.
The House then resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union-Mr. BoYD
in the chair-and resumed the consideration of the
Presidents annual message.
Mr.. BAY, of Missouri, did not believe that ex-
cited discussions promoted the. public good; on the
contrary, they result in creating sectional feelings
and enInites hard to subdue The North had a o.
crossed on the domestic institutions of the South,
and all that the South sought to repel the ag-
erosion. He did not believe with the gentleman
from Mississippi, (Mr BaowN,l that slavery was
moral and political blessing. However, the North
had no right to interfere with it. After maintain
ing that the agitation had commenced in the
North, he said that the South were not responsible
for it. When a resolution under considera-
ton in this House. proposing to place certain
sum in the hands Of the at that time President,
to aid him in cfieeting treaty with Mexico, the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr. WILMor,)
introduced his provso. Suppose, on that occasion,
gentleman from the South had offered a proviso,
Al Il u. n 4 n
the territory to be acquired. Would not that have
been just ground of complaint, and been de-
nounced throughout the land? Then why not the
opposite policy be condemned? All that the South
contend for Is that the people of the Territories
shall determine FOR themselves whether slavery
shall shall not exist in their midst II is the only
principle on which the question be settled, and
any other would be in direct conflict with truth
and justice 1t is the duty Of the Government to
furnish territorial governments, preparatory to ad-
yond this, there Is an interference with matters
pertaining to the people themselves
After State is admitted into the Union, she may
preclude or ADM. slavery. If you apply the Will
mot proviso to New Mexico and California, and ad-
NIT this principle, the object in pressing the provi
SO must be to foresa public opinion, by preventing
emigration from the southern States; doing indi-
rectly what you cannot do directly, incompatibly
with the character OF our Government. He hesta-
ted not to say hat he was an advocate for the ad-
mission Of California into the Union, ["Hear,"l
and no man who advocated different policy could
be consistent. The South had always contended
that the people of the Territories should determine
the question for themselves. He had authority for
this in the opinion Of Mr.. CALHOUN and other gen.
tlemen, and in resolutions adopted by conventions
in Georgia ard Alabama. In the Baltimore Demo-
cratic convention, the doctrine of nom intervention
was declared and the resolution was introduced by
a committee On which there gentlemen from
South Carolina, Florida, and Alabama He found,
in his own State, (Missouri) that resolutions had
been passed recognising the same doctrine. These
States recognised TO the fullest extent the doctrine
OF non-interftrence. He did not wish to be under
stood as being in favor Of California with her present
boundary he would aid to curtail her boundary.
He did not believe that there any moral pow
er to keep California out of the Union. Her adms-
sion was demanded by public opinion and by pub
lie justice. Mr.. T. b. King was not within q hun
dred and twenty miles of the convention when the
constitution was adopted. He had only strength
enough to receive ten votes for the United States
Senate, and this excited doubt as to whether he
had any influence over the people. He would state
the simple fact that the convention consisted Of for
ty-eight members, but twelve of them natve-born
Californians. Ten were from the southern States
and twenty from the northern States; yet when the
vote was taken on the slavery restriction il received
every vote from the South. II was evident 10 his
mind that the people did not want slavery; and al
though he should prefer the constitution wihoutit,
be would not turn round and occupy position in
consistent with the doctrine heretofore maintained
py toe DenoCrauc party.
Before he would do any thing TO dissolve the
Union, he trusted that his arm would be severed
from his body, and his tongue cleave TO the
roof OF his mouth. He willing 10 go with the
South in all constitutional for redress, but
be called on the North, who were trying TO press
the slavery question, 70 desist IL they wish 10 pre-
serve the Union. California has already excluded
slavery, and is il possible New Mexico and Deseret
will admit slavery What do the North intend
unless to degrade the South Oppression will call
farfk -. 4 A H..
into as many fragments there are now States.
In conclusion, he invoked conciliation-iustice
and he repeated, that be was ready TO join his
brethren Of the South in all constitutional means Of
redress; but when they should ask him 20 lay
ruthless hand on this fair fabric he would leave
them. II the Union was 10 be the battle ground,
he would plant himself upon IL, and il he should
fall, in the language Of distinguished statesman,
1t would be with his country's flag around him,
crying, ITO the rescue To the rescuel'
Mr.. STEVENS, Of Pennsylvania, said that the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. CLIsemAN)
had been selected 10 open the debate in behalf OF
human bondage; and he declared that II the q ucs
ton Of slavery was not settled according 10 the
southern view, there should be no legislation;
not even the ordinary appropriation bills necessary
10 sustain the government. These measures were
not TO be met by manly debate, but by calling the
yeas and nays on frivolous motions 10 adjourn,
Ill the end Of the session. He (Mr s. doubted not
that the gentleman had full authority TO make this
declaration; for II he had taken upon himself to
make the high threats without authority, he would
have degraded himself The object was 10 make
the North submit, Internationally, TO their terms;
else the Union was 10 be discovered. Not only the
country, but postcrity, will pronounce this rank
treason. Surely, in any dcliberstive body other
than this, such avowals would have been followed
by prosecution and punishment; but here we can
say almost any thing we choose. He denied that
there the least justification Of the threat which
was pregnant with mischievous consequences.
In bis Judgment slavery was an evil, and they
ought, AZ statesmen and philanthropists 10 oppose
H. While he announced his settled hostility 20
slavery, he would stand by the compromises Of the
Constitution, and carry them into faithful effect
although, IL the Constitution we're open for consid-
Grafton, there parts Of IL which would never
receive his consent. He then contrasted the supe-
riority Of free soil slave soil The shareholders
he considered untitled aristocrats. He was opposed
10 the diffusion Of slavery wider space than IL
now occupied. Confne II where II Is, and, like a
cancer, IL must be eradcated, or eat out the vias
Of the community. Extend IL, and IL will live the
longer According 10 one Of the ablest men of vir-
GINA, the chivalrous Of that State had become
slave breeders and traders Instead Of seeking for
the best breed Of cattle they reduced 10 the cx
tremity Of growing most lusty sires and buxome
women, 10 I'LL the southern barracoons, and that
the value OF the slaves may not be reduced by the
restriction. He made the prediction, that in twenty.
FIVE years there would be on the statute book Of
every southern State provision 70 do away with
slavery. He proceeded TO show that slavery was