The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-15

aefiDered m me i10uSe OF hepTeSenId-
tives Of the United States, -dpril 4, 1850.
The House being in Committee of the Whole
(Mr. BOYD in the char) the Presidents Califor
MIA message,
Mr. sPAULDING said
Ma. CHAIRMAN If the committee
ready to proceed to vote on the bill providing for
the admission of California should feel much
more inclined to act than to talk; but as there is
probability of immediate action, will venture to
make few remarks, looking to practical results,
without attempting full discussion in eta of the
institution of slavery. shall confine myself main
ly to the admission of California, and the present
situation of New Mexico, with some Incidental re-
marks respecting the improvement Of harbors and
rivers, reserving whatever ! may have to say on
other topics connected with the present slavery agi
tation until they come before in shape TO re-
quire practical legislation.
have looked over the various plans for disposing
of the vexed question which agitates the public
mind, and have come to the conclusion that none
Of them is more feasible than the recommended
by General Taylor, in his California message, sub.
mitted to this House, January 81, 1850 His plan
appears to me to be constitutional, national in its
character, and republican in its execution. 1t is
broad platform which the North, the South, the
East, and the West, may all stand, without any
sacrifice OF feeling or compromise of principle 1t
is based upon the great fundamental principle on
which this Government rests, that is capable Of
self government; that the people may mould and
fashion their own local laws and institutions to suit
themselves II is that right inherent in the people,
of Independence.
The domain, the title to the public lands, and the
sovereignty it for national purposes, belong to
the United States. The establishment of post offices
and post roads, the construction of piers and light
houses the enactment Of revenue laws, the estib-
lishment of circuit and district courts, the survey
ing and sale of the public lands and all other OBJ
jects Of national legislation, be performed by
Congress now the same as in any other portion Of
| the country belonging to the United States, and
without waiting for the organization of either State
or territorial governments. Post Offices and post
| roads have already been established in California,
| in pursuance of an act of Congress passed in Au-
| gust, 1S4S At the last session of Congress, the
| revenue laws of the United States extended
| over California. The same may be done in regard
| to New Mexico and Deseret, leaving the people
there to establish their State constitutions and
governments, and apply at the proper time for ad-
\ mission States.
The Constitution provides that new States may
be admitted by Congress into the Union" This is
a comprehensive power, easily understood, and can
be practically applied to all the territory acquired
| from Mexico, as soon as there is sufficient num-
Der of inhabitants residing there to warrant it..
| The main feature of General Taylor's plan is to
admit all the territory States, under this provi-
sion of the Constitution, fast the people resd
| ing there desire to come into the Union in that
/ form, and have the requisite population.
In the few remarks which / shall submit to the
| committee, it shall be my aim TO speak as ma
tional representative, feeling the obligations of the
l Constitution resting upon me TO- support the Ma
tional Government under which we live as well as
the rights of all the members here assembled.
do not regard the Constitution a compact, an
agreement, a copartnership, or a confederation of
States, but a governmental fundamental law, a
rule of action, which each one Of US, and all of
us, acting together, are bound TO obey; and with,
in the powers granted by it, regard the people of
| this nation, irrespective of State boundaries, ind-
vidualy and collectively bound to support this Con-
stitution and Government and to maintain il at all
hazards. We are one people, one country, having
mutual interests, reciprocal duties, and a common
destiny. Sir, / claim no rights that do not cheer
fully yield to every member on this floor; will
vote for no legislation which deem unconstitu-
tional, and none which think will not be benei-
\ cial TO the whole country.
Before proceeding TO the consideration of the
practical question before u.s. will notice some
attacks which have been made upon the President
in the course of this debate. Sir, the honorable
! gentleman from Mississippi, MIR. McWILLIE, } the
honorable gentleman from Ohio, (Mr. DIssEY,)
| and several other gentlemen this floor, have
stated that during the late presidential campaign
General Taylor was represented at the North by
the Wing party as being in favor Of the Wilmot
proviso, and at the South as being opposed i and
that by this species of fraud and
that party succeeded in placing him in the elevated
and responsible position he now occupies.
MIR. DISNEY says: 1.-The present Executive has
been pledged for the proviso against il in the
South, but as in favor of II in the North; and my
constituents believe that this arocious Fraud
| they think that its exposure is demanded by the
highest interests OF the republic; and they say to me
that, though Congress may have no legal power to
| make such provision an effective law, yet
'Wrest once the iato to our authority
| To do great right, do a little wrong,
and bring these pledges to the test not 10 give the
sanction of Congress TO the proviso not 10 sanction
il by my vote, but the means to accomplish the
object which they avow."
These assertions have been made 80 often and so
often repeated in and out Of Congress, that have
no doubt many honest and we'll meaning people,
both North and South, believe them 10 be true but
can the honorable gentleman that nothing
can be further from the truth, especially at the
North.
We relied much upon General Tsyors high
character for capacity, integrity, and the distn-
guished fidelity with which he had served the
try, being equal to every position however trying,
he had been called to FIJI; but we could point with
much satisfaction TO his published letter Co Captain
Allison, Of the 22d April, ls4s, as the platform
which we could rely for non -intcrference in regard
to the rights and duties Of Congress to legislate
| all subjects of domestic policy.
| He had in that letter very explicitly declared his
views in relation to the Executive veto I now read
from that letter as follows:
The power given by the Constitution 10 the Ex
ecutve TO interpose his veto is a high conservative
power but in my opinion should never be
cised except in of clear violation of the Con-
stituton, manifest haste and want Of oonsidora.
ton by Congress. Indeed, ] have thought that fOr
many years the known opinion and wishes OF the
Executive have exercised an undue and injurious
influence upon the legislative department OF the
Government, and for this cause have thought our
| system was in danger of undergoing great change
from its true theory.
"The personal opinions of the individual who
may happen to occupy the Executive chair ought
not 70 control the action OF Congress upon questions
OF domestic policy, nor ought his objections 10 be
intcrposed where questions Of constitutional power
have been settled by the various departments Of the
Government, and scquesced in by the people"
| This letter spread far and wide the
| whole country At the North IL was held up n oil
the political gatherings, on the stump in public and
in private, containing sound principles; and his
friends insisted that IL he should be elected Presi
hss he IN
control the action Of Congress Of domssiic
| policy; and that whatever might be hs private
views as STAKEHOLDER, in regard 10 the extension
Of slavery did not believe he would interfere TO
| prevent any constitutional action Of Congress on
that subject He not represented as opposed
TO, or in favor of the Wilmo proviso, but as being
willing to let Congress legislate that subject AS
they might deem best for the whole country, not
at all, II that was most desirable.
| In my section of country, too, we wanted no more
arbitrary vetoes 10 control and stie the will Of the
people, as expressed through their Representatives
IN Congress- in relation TO the improvement Of har
| bora and rivera