The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-01-31
NEW oRLEANS.
THURSDAY MoRNiNG. JANUARY 81.
Photographed TO the Cincinnati Enquirer.1 j
CONGREGATIONAL. "a

Photographed TO the Cincinnati Enquirefl
Congressional.
WAsHINGToN, January 2l-In Senate.--The
billmaking an appropriation for repairing the Cum
berland Dam in the Ohio river, came up and was
discussed.
Mr.. Clay spoke in its favor.
The subject was passed over informally and the
Senate proceeded to the consideration of the special
order OF the day, being Mr. Foote'S resolution de-
claring it TO be the duty Of Congress 10 provide
Territorial Governments for the Territories,
Mr.. Cas-, at great length, addressed the Senate
on the Wilmot Proviso. He commenced by sta
ting there two questions involved in the con-
troyersy respecting the Wilmot Proviso First, as
to It's constitutionaliiy and secondly, to its
pedleney. He commenced by considering the
general power Congress had 10 IegisIate over dis
tan Territories, quoting various authors in favor Of
it. This claim Of unlimited legislation he con
sidered had led TO revolutionary struggle. He
had listened with amazement to the subtle discus
sions the subject, if the rights Of society were
everything and the rights OF man nothing 1t is a
revival OF the dispute between Great Britain and
her colonies, in which we have taken the place Of
the former He drew distinctions between the
rights Of unlimited Legislation over distant gons
which have no representation, and the. right to
organize a Government, leaving the details to the
people. In the District Of Columbia Congress had
exclusive jurisdiction but there were peculiar rea-
for that arising out OF the situation Of the Dis
rct and the nature OF the original Federal compact
There is clause OF the Constitution which gives
Congress express power to pass any law respecting
slavery in the Territories That authority is de-
rived from various sources. Every construction Of
the Constitution which would give foreign Legis-
ature power over every other social and political
question in the Territory. If It were intended to
give Congress unlimited power Of legislation over
Territories, it would have been so expressed. He
then entered upon analysis Of the various clauses
Of the Constitution from which it has been at
tempted to derive the power Of legislation over
Territories.
AT o'clock Mr. Cass gave way for Executive
session. Adjourned.
Hoase.-An Intellectual attempt was made to re-
consider the vote postponing the election Of Door
keeper.
| The SPEAKER decided it would be in order to
offer motion appointing Doorkeeper and Pos
master, but could go into an election until the
time expired-March, 1851.
lengthy discussion ensued relative TO the APP
pomtment temporarily of or continuation
| OF the old Doorkeeper.
The President sent in a Message in answer to
the resolution Of inquiry respecting the Government
| Of California, &e., which was read.
1 The President says, after explaining the matter
did not hesitate to express to the people of those
Territories my desire that each should if prepared
i to comply with the requirements Of the United
4 States Constitution, apply for admission into the
Union, But did not authorize the establishment
| OF any such Government without the consent Of
Congress Nor did | authorize any Government
| Agent to influence or control any Convention in
making or modifying their domestic Institutions
| We find the following telegraphic report Of Con
gressional proceedings, on the 22d inst, in the
St. Louis papers the oath;
In the Senate Mr. Webster submitted resoIu
ton granting to every male citizen of the United
States, who settles upon the same and cultivatei
Tor three years. quarter section Of the public land
The resolution lays over The special order of tn,
| day was resumed.
Mr.. CasS concluded his remarks on the Wilmo
| Proviso. believe he said that this Union woulc
| survive all the dangers with which it may be me
| naced, however trying the circumstances in which
1t may be placed and maintain this proud position
| this integrity OF political existence on which SC
| much tor us and for the world depends We mus
| carefully avoid these sectional questions so much
| and forcibly deprecated by the Father of his
/ Country, and cultivate spirit Of mutual regard,
added to the consideration of interest which held
together. Sad will be the day when the first drop
OF blood is shed in preservation of the Union That
day need never come, if the same spirit of compro-
mise and concession by each to the feelings of all
| which animated our fathers, continues to animate
us and our childron but if powers offensive to one
portion OF the country and OF doubtful obligation to
say the least of it, are to be exercised by another
and under circumstances of peculiar excitement the
confederation may be rent in twain, leaving another
example OF that judicial blindness, with which God
IN his providence, sometimes visits the sins OF
tlons. Now, Sir, as the more practical question is
the Legislative adoption Of this Proviso, with hazard
by which alone it can be secured the obstacles and
dangers have briefly alluded to. There should be
| advantages-inestimab indeed--to be gained
before such measure is forced upon the country
1t any man thinks they correspond at all with the
magnitude Of evil which must follow in their train
for myself, do not believe that the slightest good
will result under the most favorable circumstances
ihiS nfar h Titrbt
OF the people Of the territories. The object avowed
is to prevent the introduction of slavery. Can il
60 there il left without this prohibition? believe
il cannot, and believe there are very few here o
elsewhere who think it can, The Wimot Provist
is urged upon the ground OF its expediency; il i;
opposed on the ground OF its unconsttutionaIity
Now, is the contest worth the cost, to place thi:
barren, and believe unconstitutional Proviso oil
the statute book will engage in no such crusad,
against the South from whatever motive il may
originate will endeavor to discharge my daty al
an American Senator to the whole country ant
when cannot do this ] shah cease to have an,
duty here to perform. My sentiments upon III,
| W1mot Provso are now before the Senate; / an
precluded from voting in conformity with them.
have been instructed by the Legislature Of Michl
gan, to vote in favor of this measure. i am, be
eve IN favor oil the right OF instruction when fairly
exercised under proper circumstances | acknowl
edge the obligation of the instructions | have re
ceived, and cannot act in opposition to them no
can act in opposition to my own conviction OF th
true meaning Of the Constitution. When the TIM
comes and / am required to vote upon this measure
as practical one in bill providing for a terrific
rial government shall know how to reconcile mi
duty to the Legislature with my duty to myself b.
surrendering the trust cannot longer fulfil.
Mr.. Butler took the floor for tomorrow, whei
the Senate adjourned.
In the House nothing of interest was transacted
Chaga,a'as slavery speech on Iayior's messag
| relative to California was delivered Yesterday.