The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-13

Mexico, and all the Territories Of the Union, and
is enacted By Congress primarily. The California
proviso Is tfeSame thing in form and substance,
adopted originally by the people of California, In
the so called convention, and enacted by Congress;
because he held that the adoption Of this is awless
and without effect until Congress it. thereby
enacting itsecondarily. He thought he was pre-
pared 70 show that all the recommendation in the
message are attributable to the action of this Ad-
ministration. We see the policy of the message in
the proclamation of General Riley, which met with
the subsequent sanction OF the Administration; and
we see that Thomas Butler King was directed to
follow General Riley, and consummate the pro-
ceedings which he initiated. The South protested
against tbs effort to exclude them, and insist
ON their rights to emigrate TO the Territories
with Their property The Wilmot proviso
voted down by this House. Were they to at
tribute this To the magnanimity OF the North? 7
Not at all. The very individuals who voted to lay
the Wilmot proviso on the table pledged now
10 exclude the South, because there is another
mode in the accommodation OF the Executive.
The firm resistance of the South to the California
provso will be at all hazards and every extremity
and they will triumph. They must stand pre-
pared to resist aggressions in every FORM The
South should be advised of the true position of this
Administration, and take action accordingly.
We see the South protesting against the Wilmot
provso; but the Wiknot proviso is dead, and the
people Of the South must come forward to meet the
question In the aspect. They must take the
same position on the California proviso that they
did on the Wilmot proviso. Congress must legis
late in subordination to the Constitution, and
slavery there is in the same category with religion
The design of that instrument was not only to sus
tain but to pcrpetuate slavery
Gentlemen had denounced slavery crime
II was, however, recognised by the word of God,
and existed in the household Of his chosen people
It seemed to be violation of the truth of history,
call that evil which existed in the days of anti
quity-in Greece and Rome, celebrated for arts,
painting, and statuary-on which was built up CT
vilization which illumined the old world, and now
sheds its light own country. Look to the
consequences of slavery herethe cultivation of the
soil, bringing its rich fruits into commercial chan
nels. We have the benefits of this institution; and
no people have prospered more than we have.
But the North say they wish to be relieved Of the
sin Of slavery. II relieved of that, they would not
fight to be placed again in that condition. Old
England can manufacture our cotton cheaper than
New England. II the Union dissolved, d.
rect trade would spring up with old England and
other countries of Europe That would destroy the
coastwise trade, and northern bottoms would not
be called into requisition. Our exports double
those of the North, and our imports should CORE
spond. Now, they only e-fourth. Our i'm
ports 60 into northern ports, and enter into gene
raj consumption. When imports reach the
North, they are taxed with the charges of import
ers, laborers, and Others who subsst on commerce
in the large cities Establish direct trade between the
South and Europe, and we relieve the North from do
ing us injury. The Federal Government levies thir-
ty millions annually; large portion of the revenue
is expended in the free States, and the whole South
is taxed to support the General Government, when
it ia scarcely permitted to share in the disburse
ment Besides there is an indirect tax the South.
In view of this, would it not be better for the North
to come forward, and, with magnanimity. put an
end to this discussion? convention was soon to
assemble at the South to take the questions into
consideration. They will be fully discussed there.
The convention win surely assemble unless Con-
gress do something to render meeting OF the del
NJ
convention to save the Union, add its object is
scrvativc it may lead to other and different results
1t may declare the South independent of the North,
because there are greater evils than those which
superinduced the declaration Of the independence OF
the colonies from the dominion of Great Britain.
The administration of Mr.. Polk was stronger when
it went out than when it came in; but the present
one, not year old, exhibits imbecility and senility
The seeds of death were planted Mt its inception,
and it is now like the old man who begs for repose
when the darkening shades around him.
Mr.. BAKER said that when the Wilmot proviso
comes up a distinct proposition, the gentleman
would see whether it was dead.
Mr.. INGE. You gave it the go-by. Did you
vote to lay it on the table?
Mr.. BAKER. No.
MIR. INGE. Then you can't answer for those
who did. You are not in the secret. In conclusion
he esid he held it to be the duty of the South to
sist the admission of California with her present
constitution. If this be the duty of the people, was
il not that of their representatives 10 offer the same
resistance Inc measure can DC defeated Dy y
union of southern men. They had defeated the
Wilmot proviso and they can defeat the California
proriso He hoped that there would be some plar
TO meet the appreciation of all-that they NIGH
present their breasts the shield of the Constitu
ton.
Mr. billiard, of Alabama, obtained the floor
and several gentlemen having asked him To yielc
for motion that the Committee rise, he expressed
Willingness TO do so.
Mr. WILMOT said that, if the gentleman wa
not now disposed to speak, other gentlemen wer'
prepared.
TIE question was taken, and the Committee re
fused to rise.
MIR billiard did not for a moment doubt tina
the President of the United States was influenced
by pure and patriotic motives. He entertained thu
best wishes for the success OF his Administration
but, Notwithstanding, he could not give his supper
20 ths policy of the President, expressed in tn
message The first objection is, the Presidentleave
the question open so far as New Mexico and Desere
are cocerned. He (Mr. H. desired complete
settlement of the question; II is demanded by thu
pressing state of the country and the interests o
The slaeholding States. IL is the most formidabl,
auestic which has ever threatened this Union
Every hour which passes by reminds ms that thu
.iangcis deepening and growing frmer.
st4esman, whose long and brilliant career ba
enabled him TO take part in the great pohtics
events the last quarter ola century, says that he
rises evry morning with the expectation Of hear
ing of SINE public disaster in connexion with Thu
question And yet il is proposed, during the pre-
.~~r
ern coutry, 10 leave IL open. With his view o
public oty, and estimation of the danger which
surrouns US, he could not consent TO leave 1t open
He wand speedy adjustment, that the country
may has peace and repose. To admit Californi'
into the Union State with her present bounda
Ties, lcsing them unsettled, would be fraugh
with theyrcatest danger thatcoud bcfall the south
ern poop. Up to this time they had maintained
sonethir like balance Of political power anS
equality the Senate but 10 call upon them 4
welcomeanother free State, to throw thu
weight I'D councils against themselves, and 4
break don the balance. He repeated that 10 ad
init Cafnia would be TO transfer political power
10 tn ennies of southern institutions, and driy
the sout into hopeless minority for all time L
come.
Havingrogrcssed thus far the gentleman CAV
way for anotion that the committee rise, which
prevailed
And theIouse adjourned.
New Publication.
H.. nt.K