The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-08

events, equally sudden ana extraordinary, which
have brought the political condition of the country
TO its present state.
In May, l546, war declared with Mexico.
The American troops crossed the line of the enc
my's territory, invaded her provinces, and finally
took possession of her capital. The marine forces
of the United States took possession of all her ports
ON the Atlantic and the Pacific In less than two
years from the commencement of the war, a
treaty was made, by which Mexico coded TO the
United States the territories on the Pacific. had
so happened that in consequence of the distracted
and feeble state of Mexico before the war was known
in California, the people there, under the sup
posed lead of American officers, had overthrow
the provincial government, and run up an indepen-
dent flag. When the news OF the existence of the
war reached there, the independent flag torn
down and the stars and stripes hoised in its stead
Before the war was over our forces had possession
OF San Francisco, and great rush OF emgrants
from all parts took place to California. In Jan
uary, lS4S, the Mormons discovered an extraordi-
narily rich mine or quantity OF gold at the lower
part Of the American branch OF the Sacramento
This was kept secret for some time; but, even
| tually, it became known. Not long after this,
gold was discovered in higher branch of the Sac
ramento river. The fame OF this discovery was
spread abroad and population or. crowded into the the.
winter of AS. The digging did not commence
till the spring of '4S, and since then gold -digging
has been prosecuted with success hitherto un-
known. All know how incredulous the Ameri-
can public were at irst but all know how rapidly,
from that time TO the present, assurances of the
istence of these almost nexhaustible mines of gold
have come upon us.
| 1t was known, also, that it became highly proper
| to provide suitable territorial government for
these peoples but owing to the differences existing
in the Legislature, no such government was estab-
| lished at the last session.
| Under these circumstances, the people inhabit-
ing the country acting under proclamation is
sued by General Riley, elected a convention, which
| framed a constitutions; that constitution has been
ratifed State Legislature has been chosen, and
Senators and Representatives have been sent here,
who bring with them authentic copy of the con-
stituton. and ask for their State admission into the
! Union.
This constitution contains express prohibition
Of slavery in California. 1t is said, and he sup
| posed truly, that in the convention which formed
| this constitution there were thirty members who
had formerly resided i'll the slave States, and fifty
| who had not.
| THE noise in the passages leading to the gale
ries and to the Senate floor here great, that
Mr.. w. had to pause for several minutes till order
was restored
| 1t could not be denied that it was this circum-
stance-the prohibition of savery--which has con-
ributed TO raise the dispute about the proprety Of
admitting California State.
| II could not be said now-whatever might have
| been given at first reason for the with
Mexico-that it was not prosecuted for the acqusi-
ton OF territory. II was argued that the only pro-
per mode of obtaining indemnity for the expenses
| Of the to take territory. And as the ac-
QUESTIONS all laid south of the United States and
| in warm climates, 1t was naturally expected by
the South that all acquisitions of territory In that
region would be added to the slaveholding States.
Events have not turned out to be So their expecta-
tions have not been realized; and hence their dis
content. And now that question, slavery, which
has 30 often alarmed the wise and good men Of the
| country, comes upon for fresh discussion.
He said he would review historically the question
of slavery, partly because its character and the
mode of discussing it have been the cause of great
alienation of kind and friendly feelings.
| Slavery existed in all of the world IL cx-
listed among the oriental nations 1t existed among
the Jews, and the theocratc government of that
people made no charge OF injustice against it. Sla-
very existed among the Greeks, and the philosophy
Of that people found the for is set
up in this country by its defenders and advocates.
They justified slavery on the ground Of the nferi-
GRITTY of the African compared with the white
| They did not undertake to show, by close logic,
that the right consisted in the power of the strong
over the weak, but placed it on the ground of the
inferiority Of the negro race.
| The more manly Jurisprudence of the Romans
justified il on other ground From the earliest
Jurisprudence down TO the fall of the empire it was
| held that slavery against natural law, but
justified ON the law Of nations then recognised;
they argued that by that law captives taken in
might be held till ransomed; or they might, in ex-
change for death, voluntarily become slaves; and
| that their condition slaves descended to their
posterity. They also held that man might volun-
tarily se himself to another. as slave, for debt;
and thirdly, that persons could be made slaves for
| crimes.
At the introduction Of Christianity the Roman
world full Of slaves; and no injunction against
that condition Of man was found in the preaching
Of the gospel OF Jesus Christ or OF any of his apos
ties. The object of nstituting of founding Chris
tianty, touch the heart and improve the mind
of man. Its object was TO operate on the individual
| heart and mind Of man.
Now, on the general nature and character Of
slavery, there ia a wide difference Of opinion be-
tween the northern and the southern portions of
the country.
On the one side, at the North, it was held, even
in the absence Of injustice, 70 be right founded in
| power and might over feebleness, and slavery is
| held not 10 be in accordance with the meek spirit
of the Gospel. These are sentiments cherished re-
! Gently with augmented force by the people Of the
northern States, and il has taken hold Of and per-
vades their religious feelings.
The South, the other side, treating their slaves
with the utmost kindness and consideration, have
been taught with the Greeks to look upon the Afri-
can as an inferior creature whose natural state is
Of bondage. There are, at the South, thousands OF
men who, having consciences tender and as up
right any at the North, cannot take the northern
view Of this subject. There are others who look
upon things as they are, and without inquiring
further, declare, conscicntiously, that they have
| neither the responsibility the power 10 clear
themselves Of the institution.
The Senator from Carolina (Mr CALHoUN) the
other day alluded TO the separation OF the Methodist
Episcopal church. This separation took place on
this subject Of slavery. lie had examined the sub
ect had looked at the separation with anxiety for
ne looked upon that denomination as one OF the
great props Of religion and morality Of the whole
people; he had read all the arguments on both
sides, but never had been able to see any good
cause for the separation, nor that any good could
result from IL.
When questions Of this kind take hold Of the re-
lgious mind, and creep into religious assemblages
| they must lead 10 excitement. All history shows
that religious disputes lead 10 war. Upon all such
subjects and in all such controversies, men think
themselves absolutely right, and all others differing
| from them absolutely wrong, and mark out Q
strong line between what they think right and VIVA
| they think wrong. There are who cannot sec
that in too holly pursuing truth they apt Il
fall into many errors. They disposed 10 noun
this one duty a war horse, and ride upon il ovel
all others. They deal with morals with mathe
matics; and think that morals are easily dem.
onstrated as an agebraica proposition. They thinl
that If in their perspicacious vision they behold
spot upon the sun, the should be stricken down
they would prefer be in total darkness rather thar
receive light from an imperfect orb. Others ther,
are who are too impatient for the slow progress o
moral effects They forget that the truths and the
miracles Of Jesus Christ preached, and ye
how few converted and they forget also, that ever
in christian lands how frequent are vices anC
crines-and that, between nations protesting tn,
truths Of Christianity, how wars, unjust wars ar,
urao god