The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-19

for the Territories acquired from Mexico II
was the duty OF Congress to give them governments;
and the question as 10 What governments should be made
for them, should be calmly considered Congress- two
years ago. had failed 10 do IFS duty TO those Territories
leaving them to the law OF the bowiekne, as were
Al that time, the South had taken her stand the plat
form which he proposed 10 continue TO stand He be-
lieyed that many in the South, however, had somewhat
changed their positions, requiring new guarantees owing
as alleged 10 the more threatening attitude Of d
the North. These southern gentlemen maintained that
Gen. Taylor had assumed nnwaranted power, and that
California demanded her admission IN an irregular man.
ner Mr. here argued at some length TO prove the
propeiy OF the OF the President and The justice
Of the demand OF California 10 come into the Union
Mr. CALHOUN sad hel declared that the present burning
agitation at the South is on account OF the loss Of
her equality OF political power in the government
Mr.: W., at some length, went on 10 show that this
equality could not be mainainedthat its loss was the
result Of circumstances beyond the control of the gov
eminent He was for admitting California into the
Union One year ago. Mr.. Preston, OF Virginia. had in
iroduced bill TO admit California, and Senator BENTON
had advised her to form State government at
So did CALHOUN and the Washington Union Under
these circumstances, on looking at the whole question,
and endeayorng to ascertain what had come over the
southern public mind the subject, he utterly at
fault His colleague MIR SrASToSl had arraigned the
President and Mr. T. Butler King saying that the latter
course Of policy on the part Of the people Of the Terrific
ry, interfering seriously with the rights OF the South He
[Mr. STANToNl recommends resistance as remedy, il
California be admitted. MIR, w. then went into an euo.
GUM of General Taylor and in his defence against the
assault Of Mr.. STANTON, explaining the course Of
the Executive with reference 70 California at consdea
BILE length. No object could be accomplished by re-
handing California back to territorial form Of govern
ment II that was done, slavery could not be carried
there, Mr. w endeavored to show from references to
saveholdng States excited and alarmed and il the
North insisted on separating the slavery question in Cali.
tornia from the other slave questions, disasters would
likely follow. he could not give his consent TO any
dement, which should not embrace all the questions in
ISSUE
He believed Congress had power to legisaie on the
subject OF slavery In the Territories Having power to
acquire territory, Congress had power 10 controt This
government would be dissolved by an exercise OF
an unconstitutional power, while the Supreme Court re.
mains But the exercise OF abstract conceded power
in unjust and offensive Manner might destroy it, by
generating revolution on the part OF the weaker portion
In the South il was believed that the government had
power over the Territories in the slavery issue, that
use it was tyrannca unjust, and high handed. Such
were the unanimous views OF the South. Why, then,
would the North press her to the wall Here Mr. w
went TO show that other motives than those OF self
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Influenced the North on this subject
The North had three millions more Inhabitants than
the South and also the power here Under the operation
OF the struggle for place at the North, she being
urged to agrees on the South in this matter.
Mr. w next argued that the various pleas under which
the northern member. defended their course were un.
founded, the South not being, as alleged, anxious 10
force slavery upon the Territories He had pro.
claimed that he belonged to thegreat conservative party Of
up for Justice 10 the Sonh-for true Conservatism on
the slavery queston-while there were many nohern
democrats who stood manfuy by the compromises Of the
constitution.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania mr. SrEyESsl
had malIgned and derded the South to lea him
(Mr WMLAMs) 10 believe that he came here only to de.
sroy the Union if he could II he believed that he Mr.
SrEvESsl represented the sentiments Of the North be
would go home, and recommend his constituents
TO arm for the conflict which then must come. Mr..
WILLIAMS next went on to identify Mr. STEVENS with
Mr. SEWARD. and to show that the latter in favor Of
breaking down the constitution, TO allow the northern
majority 10 get at slavery in the States; and he drew
strong comparison between the different positions of Mr.
SEWARD and MIR. WEBSTER, to show that the positions
OF the latter as eminently patriotic those OF the
former we've DANCE fously SECTIONAL in their tendency
Mr. w felt assured that the Nashville Convention would
be held and would cooly debate the best interests of
their constituents AS the North feel certain, they al
ege. that slavery will not be permitted to 90 into the
leave out the Poviso and fight the question the ad
mission of the States 10 be made out OF the Terroes'
As southern man, he would vote for their admission
without slavery, il, without the action OF Congress TO
produce that end they should determine TO exclude the
institution. NAataiA84
Mr. CASEY, having next obtained the floor. remarked
that he should not be induced to take extreme grounds
by fear of influences here AT home He neither look
ed upon slavery the terrible thing represented BY many
OF the North, or as the blessing il was alleged TO be by
many from the South. With Thomas Jefferson, be be-
eved il TO be evil but not disposed to enter upon
a dangerous crusade for its abatement he would
neither responsibility for its extension nor would
he violate the constitution to strike il down The House
wanted reason this subject-not takhavng had too
much OF that already II had been clearly established
that the Territories are now governed by Mexican laws
prohibiting slavery. He believed slavery TO be local
institution over which Congress had power in the
States but he agreed with the gentleman from Tennessee
in feeling assured that having hepowe 10 acquire terri
tory Congress- had authority over the slavery question
in its limits. F 0Asf
The title, sovereignty, and eminent domain over the
Territories being vested in Congress- they had power TO
make all neediul rules and regulations respecting the
Territories Mr.. DIsSEys great speech (said Mr.. CT
was based false premises His view that the power
TO make rules and regulations for the Territories only
embraced the right TO dispose OF the SOIL MIR C. argued
to be incorrect and proceeded 10 make legal argument
power given in this connection would have been more
simply stated in the constitution A law was a rule Of
action; "ruler being the comprehensive mode OF
expression. So with the term regulation" He held
that "to regulate with foreign nations gave
the right TO make laws upon the subject So, Also with
the power to regulate the value OF coins The appca-
ton in the constitution OF the term es TO naiuraza.
ton, for the government OF the land and naval forces
relative 10 captures the high seas, &C., went 10
show that the trainers OF the constitution In using the
expressions "rules and regulations to grant the
power make laws absolutely controlling the subjects to
which they were applicable
Mr.. G. next criticised the speech OF Mr. TooMBs at
length, differing from that genteman's
illusions to the powers OF the government over the
Territories. While the convention framing the constu-
tion were in session. Congress were ing the ordi-
nance OF l7s7 II the convention had not been willing
10 grant Congress the power TO regulate slavery in the
Territories, they would, under the circumstances, have
restricted that power in the constitution.
Mr.. c. then argued to show the nnsoundness If the
doctrine that the rights OF citizens OF States, under the
constitution, extended 10 them migrating 10 the Terri
tories In the language of the Supreme Court Congress
has entire power over the Territories The supreme