Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-05-18
SPEECH OF Mr.. WINTHROP,
OF MASSACHUSETTS,
ON THE ADMISSION OF CALIFORNIA
OF MASSACHUSETTS,

Il HOUSE REPREsENTArIvEs, MAY 8, $780,
The House being in Committee Of the Whole on the sas
Of the Union on the Presidents Message transmitting the Con
stituion of California
Mr. WINTHROP said When had the honor of address
ing the Committee of the Whole the state of the UnoI
some weeks ago. inmated my purpose to take another op
porunity distant day. express somewhat in de-
tail than able TO do that occasion the views which
entertain in regard TO what have well been called the grea
questions Of The day.
The eager competitions for the fsor which have been wit
messed here almost without ntermsson from that time this
have POSTPONED the accomplishment of this purpose much
longer than could have desired
rise now however, last fulfil it. And heartily
do w sb Mr. Chairman, that in doing could see my
way clear contribute something to the repose of the coun
try and the harmony of national councils yield
no in the sincerity the earnestness of my desire thai
every bone of contention between different portions of the
Union be broken, root OF bitterness removed
that the American Congress may be again in condition
discharge legitimate functions Of providing once fol
the of the Government and for the interests Of the
pe If there be example 10 history which would gladly
emulate at such moment this is that Of old Swis.
patriot four hundred years ago. Of whom have recently
account who, when the conedeaed had become
emb teed against each other by long succession of
ua cmnaons and local euds that the dissolution of the
conedeacy openly proposed and dcssed and the ber
ties Of Switzerland seemed the of ruin sud-
denly found rushing from his chers shed retirement into the
Assembly Of Deputies, and excaming, Concord concord
CONCORD ~ and who it is recorded, by his prudence his pa
osm, and his eoquence brought back that Assembly,
the people whom they represented to of the nesma
bic blessings which stake upon the ISSUE and finally
succeeded in restoring his distracted country condition
harmony, tranquility, and assured union
Sir, there is sacrifice of personal opinion, of pride
consistency OF local regard of official position of present
havngs Of future hopes which would willingly make
| to play such part as this
Perhaps be said that il has been played already.
Perhaps be said that voice, voices, have already
been heard in the other end Of this Capitol if in this
which have sted the angry Of aernal dsco and
given grateful that all controversies shall
| be peacefully settled.
At any rate sir whether this be SO or not am but too
sensible that is given in this hour attempt such
character. And let add, that there is sacrifice
which could make, for all the glory which might
result from the successful performance of exalted service
mean the sacrifice of my deliberately adopted and hon
esty cherished principles These must avow, to-day and
always These must stand to- here and every where I'm
der all circumstances, in all events, must follow the lead Of
my conscientious convictions Of right and of duty
assume, then, to-day, Mr. Chairman, character of
pacihcator. have plan of adjustment reconcile
alton offer for the difficulties and dssensions in which we
are unhappiy involved
Still less sir, have sought the floor for the purpose of en-
enng into fresh controversy with body this House
elsewhere Not the graui,ous mpuaon the second
hand perveons and stale of the honorable member
from Connecticut, (Mr. CLEvELAKD,) few days ago, can
tempt me to employ another hour Of this session in the
cut and thrust Of personal encounter. pass from that hon
orabe member with the single remak that required
than all his vehement and ugd defamation against Others
who he suggested shaping their course with view
to some official promotion reward make me, or
think to make this House, forget that the Of Of bis
own Connecticut Senators about to EXPIRE that the
Connecticut Legislature just about to assemble and that
the honorable member himself well understood to be
prominent candidate for the vacancy ....
And shall be equally brief with the distinguished mem
Der from Pennsyvania, (Mr WILMoT,) who honored me
with another shaft from the self quiver Friday last
will certainly take advantage Of his absence to deal
with him at any length But forbear SAYING that
as heard him pouring forth bitter nvectve, pess
philippe, against Southern arrogance and Northern
creancy and observed the sleek compacency with which
he seemed t. congratulate himself that he alone had been
proof against all the seducons of patronage and all the
Establishments Of power could not help remembering that
his name was historical than century ago,
and the lines in which celebrated poet had embalmed it for
immortality came unbidden to my lips
g Shall parts so various aim nothing new? ..
He'll shine Tully and Hihsot too 20 .
My object to-day Mr. Chairman, the simple and humble
OF expressing my views matters in regard to
which have in quarters bsen either intentionally
Intentionally misunderstood and msepesented The end OF
my hour will find me, fear, with this work but half
accomplished and must rely being judged by what shall
be printed hereafter rather than by what may succeed in
saying now. will not, however, make my little less by
wasting any of my time in empty exordium, but will
proceed at once to the business in hand. VI
And, in the first place, sir desire to explain, at the ex
pense of historical narrative and egotsca rcference the
tain anfslapery prouiso, which has been the immediate
occasion Of Of those sectional dssensons by which
domestic peace has been Of late seriously disturbed
need not say sir, that stranger to that proUiso
though, during the whole Of the last Congress- pre-
cuded by my position the chair of the House from giving
any vote or uttering any voice in regard to it.
There those here to-day, and might single out in
spirit of unkndness certainly, the present chairman Of the
Committee Of Ways and Means (Mr. BArLr) Of hem
who have often taken pains remind the House and the
country that this provso formally proposed by to
bill for establishing government in the Oregon Territory
before the honorable member from Pennsylvania whose
bears, (Mr. WILmoT had entered upon his Congress
sonal career
have denied this allegation have never desired
to deny it, The fact is upon record and would not erase
alter that record, If it in my power to do So But
have often desired, and always intended, whenever
should again be free to take part in the discussions OF this
body recall the remembrance Of the House and Of the
country, the circumstances under which, and the views with
which, that proposition made.
II made, Mr. Chairman, the FIRST day Of February
ls45. And what the condition of the county, and of
the public affairs o the country, on that day
Oregon then disputed territory. We were engaged
at that time, sir negotiations with Great Britain in spect
the conflicting claims of the countries to that remote
region Those negotiations had been long protraced and
had engendered spirit Of restless mpa,ientc the subec.
n the minds Of great portion Of the American people, The
question, too had been drawnas regret to say almost
every question in this country destined to be drawn
into the pelous vortex Of party politics and Democratic
Presidential triumph had just been achieved under banner
which egbly inscribed the wel-remembered figures
$40 40, and the we-remembered phrase ''Me whole or
none" .a
Under these circumstances, sir bill was introduced into
this House 10 extend the jurisdiction Of the United States
the whole territory in dispute and to authorize the
sumption and exercise Of Of the highest attributes of
l,, ia.