The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-02
THE REPU BLIC.
SPEECH
DANIEL WEBSTER,

HONORABLE DANIEL WEBSTER,
On the Compromise bill, delipered in the Sen
ate of the United States on the l7h dan of
july, 1850.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: 1t was my purpose, on Tues
day Of last week, to have followed the honorable
member from South Carolina, (Mr. BurLER,) who
was addressing the Senate on the morning Of that
day, with what theT had and have, to say
upon the subject of this bill. But before the hon
orable member had concluded his own remarks, it
was announced to US that the late Chief Magistrate
Of the United States was dangerously ill, and the
Senate was moved 70 adjourn. The Senate ad-
journed and the sclen1f event Of the decease Of
the President took pLacs Vat evening.
Sir, various and most ~ h.sresting reflections pre-.
sent themselves to the minds of men, growing out
of that occurrence. The Chief Ma gistrate of
great republic died suddenly. Recently elected to
that high Office by the spontaneous voice of his fell
confidence and regard, ere yet he had had fair
opportunity to develope the principles Of his civil
administration, he fell by the stroke of death Yet
sir, mixed with the sad thoughts which this event
over the whole county, the real lovers and ad-
mirers OF our constitutional government, in the
midst of their grief and af1iction for this loss find
something consoling and gratifying The Execu-
tive head of great nation had fallen suddenly no
disturbance arose shock was felt in great and
free republic. Credit, public and private, was in
| no way disturbed, and danger to the community
or individuals was no where felt. The Legislative
was there any further interruption or delay in the
exercise of the ordinary functions Of every branch
Of the Government, than such necessary
for the indulgence, the proper indulgence, of the
grief which afflicted Congress and the country.
Sir, for his country General Taylor did not live
long enough but there were circumstances in his
death 90 favorable for his own fame and character,
80 gratifying to all to whom he most dear, that
he may be said to have died fortunately.
That life is long which life's great end"
A Ia nj oo1 liar ahlN nd al
profession, he had achieved all that to be
pected by him in that line of duty. Placed at the
head OF the Government, B have said, by the free
voice of the people, he died in the midst Of domes
tic affections and domestic happiness. He died in
the full possession of the gratitude of his country
He died in the consciousness of duty performed.
He died here, in the midst of the counsels of his
country; which country, through US, its organs,
and imposing rites such as the Republic confers on
the most distinguished Of her He has the
race destined for him by Providence, and he sleeps
with the blessings of his countrymen.
"Such honors Ilium to her Hero paid,
And peaceful slept the mighty Hector's shade"
Mr.. President, proceed now to say upon the
| subject before us what 1t was my purpose then TO
have said. begin by remarking, that the longer
we stay in the midst of this agtating subject, the
longer the final disposition of il is put off or post
poned the greater is the intensity of that anxiety
which possesses my breast. wish, sir, to harmo-
nize, 30 far as can, opinions. / wish TO facilitate
some measure Of conciliaton. ! wish to consum-
mate some proposition or other that shall bring op-
posing sentiments together and give the country
repose II IL not my purpose, to-day, to compare
or contrast measures OF plans which have been pro-
posed. measure was suggested by the President
(Mr PoLK) In his message of lS+s. The same
| measure, substantially, was again repeated by the
| late President (hIr. TAyLoR) in his message Of
lS49. Then there is before US this proposition of
the Committee OF Thirteen. do not regard these
as opposite, conflicting, or to the language of
the day, as antagonistical propositions at all. To
| a certain extent, they all agree. Beyond what was
proposed either by Mr.. Polk or by the late Pres-
dent, this report Of the committee and the bill now
before us, go another step. Their suggestions were
and especially that of the late President, to admit
California, and for the present TO stop there. The
bill before the Senate proposes TO admit California,
deem the provision proper, for the Territories of
New Mexico and Utah. ! confess, cir, my judg
ment, from the first, has been that il was indspen
sable that Congress should make some provision
for these Territories; but have been careless he
ther the things necessary to be done should be done
in one bill or In separate bills except that mat
ter Of expediency, il was and has been my opinion
from the beginning. that il would have been better
TO have proceeded, measure by measure. That
was matter of judgment upon the eIpediency of
the course was one of the Committee of Thir-
teen. Circumstances called me TO my home dur
ing its deliberations; and ii seemed TO be the gene
| raj opinion OF the committee at that time, and
thought the better opinion to begin with California
and then take up the other measures in their order
Upon further consideration the committee-very
iariy, doubt not, and in the exercise of their beat
judgment and observation-disclosures fit 10 unite the
three things which in this bill Well, sir, whe-
ther singly or together, each and every one Of
these objects meets my appreciation, and all are in
my Judgment desirable. In the first place, think
1t Is desirable bject 10 admit California / do
not conceal from myself, nor do | wish to conceal
from others, that California is before with
degree OF irregularity stamped upon her proceed
ings. She has not been through the previous pro-
Of al o. A.
constitution without consent. But look upon
IT, cir, that California, from the extraordinary cir
cumstances which have attended her birth and pro-
gress 10 the present moment entities herself, from
the necessity OF the case, to exception from the
ordinary rules. Who expected to sec such great
community sPringing up IN such an incredibly
short time! Who expected TO see 100 900 or $50 900
people engaged in such employment, with so
much activity, and enterprise, and commerce,
drawing to Themselves the admiration and regard
OF the whole world, in the period of few monthsp
Well, sir, she comes 20 with constitution framed
| upon republican models, and conformabe TO the
Constitution of the United States; and under these
circumstances, still admitting her application ss
premature and irregular, am for admitting her,
as there has been nothing done which her admis-
sion on our part will not cure, She will be lawfully
in the Union, II we admit her and therefore have
| no hesitation upon that point.
| Then, with respect TO the Territories ! have
been and am OF opinion that ve should not seps.
rate at the end OF this session Of Congress without
h"''b ih"h' "a rultsDit pFONlron butlT EoNtrH-
mcnt. ] do not think IL safe to allow things TO
stand ss they II has been thought that there
may be such a thing admitting California, and
stopping there. Well, it is not imposs bic, in the
nature of things, that such course of policy should
be adopted, If it would meet the proper concur
renee. But then have always supposed, sir, that
| II we were now acting upon California as sepa-
rate measure, and should, in the prosecution OF
that measure, admit her into the Union, the inquiry
would Immediately nrisc, What then, or what next
have never supposed that the questions respecting
the Territories would thereby be put to rest, even
| for the present. have Supposed on the contrary,
| that the very next thing to be done would be, to
take up the subject of the necessity of govern
rnent for the Territories, and prosecute that sub
ject until it should be in come manner terminated
by Congress, 10 the exclusion Of all ordinary sub
Jects OF Legislation. am not authorized to say sir,
| do not know, the opinion Of the honorable mem
| bers of the Committee on Territories here sits
near me the honorable member from Illinois, who
is at the head Of that committee and take il for
granted that he cay whether | am right or not,
that IL we should this day admit California alone,
he would to- morrow feel II his duty TO bring in n
bill for the government of the Territories, or 10
make some disposition of them.
Mr.. DovsLAs, Gin a low voice.) Does the Sena-
| tor wish answer
MIR. WEBSTER should like to know the hon