The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-07

lion Of new States within the limits of another
State without its consent in direct violation OF the
Constitution that all the President has To do is 10
consult public sentiment, and that public senti-
ment is the House OF Representatives
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. l do not wish To consume the
time Of the Senator from Tennessee, but beg leave
to protest against any thing like the sentiments
placed in my mouth Uy the Senator from Texas. l
do not believe that the President Is the owner oil the
Territories of the United States ALL any more tan
you me, any other private or public Individual
here | brought the attention OF the senate 10 the
facts which | presented, to show that there was
somc evidence of public sentiment sustaining the
course of the Executive in reference to maintaining
the slaiia quo in New Mexico, aid not as an evi.
dence that he is the owner Of these Territories.
know, sir that the House of Representatives have
no right TO legslate without the cooperation Of
the Senate. l know that perfectly well. know
that vote of the House of Representatives has no
force or effect, unless the other depart
ments of the Government concur to give TO il sane
ton and vitality. | know all that. But the sole
purpose had in view in presenting the fact TO the
country, to show that he was sustained by
vote in the popular branch Of the Legislature Of the
Sir, if come to discuss the title OF
Texas have word TO say, and am ready 10 IN
vesti gate that with gentlemen at any time, or on
any occasion. should like TO go into the doctrine
of agencies and rcverting trusts, and show that to
a mere common lawyer there is not the least shad-
ow of basis for title of that SORT Bot this ID not
the time nor the occasion to go into that.
Mr. KINo. / call the Senator TO order.
Mr. USpERwoop. l beg pardon. ! yield the
floor
MIR. KlSo have never known, till this session,
such constant interruptions OF individuals when
addressing the Senate. i do not mean to say that
a member has not right to ask question, or set
a speaker right when he is wrong as to any argu-
ment of another Senator, or matter OF lact But
really to get up and discuss question, and make
speech in the midst of another speech, and while
another gentleman is discussing a subject, by
which the thread Of his discourse is interrupted,
- f,f, anHI aha
Chair to enforce the rule
The VICE PRESIDENT. The Senate will pardon
the Chair for saying one word. The CHAIR has
noticed with degree Of pain, these constant IN
terruptions but il must be evident that the Chair
can only enforce the rules by the aid OF the Senate.
When a Senator rises and asks permission To say u
word, and leave ID given, 1t would be unSracious
for the Chair TO prevent il. But there can be no
doubt that in all the interruption should only
be for the purpose of an explanation, and then
only when permission is given by the speaker upon
the floor The Chair will enforce the rule III this
respect.
MIR. Rusr Will the Chair allow me moment
in explanation and in justification of my own con
duct!
Mr.. BELL think that if a speaker, in referring
to the statements arguments OF another Senator,
does him injustice, or misrepresents him IN any
way, he should not only in courtesy allow him TO
explain but that common justice and economy OF
time also required it, II prevents bad feeling, and
often aids the speaker who may be under false
arguments more effective. | should be sorry to
speak ten fifteen minutes under wrong hypo-
thesis / am glad TO be corrected. Further than
that think il is not the intention Of gentlemen to
go. Further than that, parliamentary courtesy
does not allow them TO GO.
The VICE PRESIDENT. The Chair will read the
rule. 1t will be found on the l46th page OF "The
Manual"
..When two members offer to speak he who rises
first is be heard; and it is a breach Of order in
any other to interrupt him, unless by calling ~
ORDER
As the Senator has suggested, the Chair has
thought il advisable TO allow Interruptions for such
purposes have been named when the floor is
yielded and in these the Chair will not inter-
iere unless the person in possession reusesto yield
the floor.
Mr.. RUsK II the Senator from Tennessee will
allow me, i wish to explain that my object IN
speaking before not 10 interrupt Kim, but mere
y for the sake Of ascertaining by What authority the
Senator from Kentucky (Mr. UsDERwooD) had
stated that the sau quo existed in New Mexico, IN
that portion including Santa Fe did not wish 10
interrupt the Senator from Tennessee, and did not
do 1t till forced 10 do 80 by the remark of the Sena-
tor from Kentucky.
Mr. BELL. know that the Senator had no de-
sire TO interrupt me, and am OF such nature that
when appealed to for such purpose, cannot deny
the courtesy. | think there Is utility in such
plantations, unless they are carried 10 unrcason
able extent
| | was inquiring how far the President had inter.
fered, proposed 10 interfere, in preserving tn,
status IN quo in New Mexico General Taylor, wher
he into office, as understand, gave orders u
| the officers in command in New Mexico TO observe
the instructions which had been given by President
Polk. These were TO throw no distractions in tn,
way vi Texas in extending her jurisdiction over the
country cast of the Rio Grande. Bot the fair con
sruction Of these orders is that Texas in the mean
time should proceed peaceably and with the assent
OF the inhabitants, not by violence and at the eS-
pense Of the peace Of the country. ! cannot sup
pose that II was the intention of the late administra
ton TO stand by and see the people Of New Mexico
subjected To the authority Of Texas by force of
without interpreting the authority of the United
States TO preserve the peace. And when the mis-
sion Of Major Neighbours threatened violence and
bloodshed at Santa Re, and the military inter
posed 10 prevent these disastrous consequences
this Is denounced as a military usurpation; when
the people Of New Mexico, in order To put
themselves in position to resist with greater viyor
and effect the designs Of Texas, call upon the officer
IN command IN New Mexico 10 issue a proClama-
ton for a convention 20 form constitution, who
ever may have advised this proceeding is denounced
traitor 10 bis country; and when Texas threat.
ems 10 send an armed force 70 New Mexico TO vim
dicate her claims TO the territory east OF the Rio
Grande, and General Taylor signifies his intention
90 protect the inhabitants against any compulsory
surrender 10 the jurisdiction Of Texas and 10 main
tain the existing state Of things i'm that Territory
this is denounced az \ murdcrous policy, and an
invasion Of the nghts Of n sovereign State. The
Senator from Mississippi (Mr FooTE) goes yet fur
ther, and asserts that the late proceedings in New
Mexico arc designed To defeat the Compromise bill;
and at the same time announces that the Executive,
or whoever advised the late proceedings in New
Mexico, will be responsible TO the country, 10 the
present generation, and po'tcriy, for all the
sequences that may ensue from the existing state
OF affairs In New Mexico. well for the discord
which now rcigns throughout the land; and these
evils only be nvertod by some adjustment OF all
the questions connected with these territories.
Let glance at tho entertainments which at
tend the subject. There may be said TO be three
different measures plans proposed for the settle
ment VI these questions. There IL the plan recon-.
mended by the President; the proposition, though
not offered In form, yet announced In debate by
southern gentlemen, 10 adopt the spirit Of the Mis-
souri compromise; aud the plan Of the Committee
Of Thirteen. large proportion Of tho southern
Senators say that they will be satisfied with no
thing that dOos 60 the South tho right 60
ernigrstc with their property to fair and equal
portion Of the Territory. An equally respectable
number OF northern gentlemen say they can never
agree TO any plan Of adjustment by which slavery
can be extended into any portion Of these Terrific
RIGS. At the same time, u IL said that the three
most distinguished gentlemen who support the plan
Of the committee, the senator from Kentucky,
(Mr. CLAy,) from Massachusetts, Mr.. wrBsrgs, }
aud from Michigan, (NIr. CAss,) have assumed a
position from which they cannot be moved; and
that they will never accCdc 10 the plan of adjust.
iDent proposed by the President; and we know that
they will not agree 10 adopt the spirit Of the Missouri
compromise. And then. in confirmation Of this
gloomy picture. IL is solemnly announced that, II
he lef, A.. l., A..