The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-07

and regulations necessary for the government oil tina
full and penary power have no right TO accuse the Elk
ecutive OF exercising the merely suggestive influence
which he may have exerted there. They have no rIgh
TO complain OF the influence OF that suggestion II tht
President has conducted himself mpropery-if he has
gone beyond the scope and power OF the constitution
they may arraign him, and others may defend hm-l will
sa 2 ps fall ss as asass
influence, am the last man earth to complain OF ina
influence, thus exercised although may complain OF the
man thus exercising i The thing itself they have NJ
right to complain OF, though they may complain OF me
President for doing il and his friends on the other side
Of the chamber may defend him.
Mr.. WALKER, (interposing) II the senator pleases,
will remark thai i has been often repeated that my
amendment gave plenary, If not despoc power 10 the
President that il is, perhaps, necessary for me TO say
that the amendment properly read and understood VIII
| Mr.. HAMLIN. I will read that part Of the senator's
amendment on which have been comTentng
"The President Of the United States is hereby authorized
regulations fa oonormty with hs constitution Of the Uni
ted Sates for the Of said laws In said Terrific
establishment OF Justice therein and from time time
modify change the said rules and regulations in such
manner as may him discreet and proper. and to
establish. temporarily, such divisions districts, posts,
offices and all arrangements proper for the execution of
Mr. WALKER The senator will find that the Ex-
ecutive is limited to conformity with the constitution
Of the United States. and with said laws" u,
Mr. HAMLlN. Precisely so understand It | did
not understand that the designed to travel outside
Of the provisions of the constuon but did understand
that the power which to be conferred upon the Pres
rules and regulations conformity with the constitution
of the United Slales he should deem fit and proper
making him not only the executive, but legislative pow
sern S ns o ae what hs @ esssd
But sir relation to this interference OF the Executive
with the people Of California, wish to say single word
any administration which would materially change in
any material sense affect the achon q that people, 40
mol believe They have acted upon their own responsl-
y and y w.a ise gas a - a6ey oSy, nave .
What is the history OF this matter For long time be-
fore the proclamation OF General Riley was issued they
in their primary meetings without even suggestive IN
for the organization OF government 70 Inc
organization Of these primary meetings, Cen Riley issues
ns and the tune hxea oy cen i Isy = ,ne
meetings, gotten up in opposition, you please, 70 the
proclamation Of Gen. Riley, or gotten up without any
connexion with it. Sir discard entirely AL tins tax
about interference either directly indirectly, or sugges.
tvey OF any administration, in relation to the people OF
that Territory. They were, people who knew their
rights. They were people calculated, after knowing
and understanding their rights, to exercise them as they
have already done, without regard to any influence rem
any quarter There is in my mini then, not the slight
est force importance 10 be attached to this declaration
that there has been any interference whatever either d.
rectly or suggesivey.
But is said that in the formation OF this territorial
government the people OF all easses climes, aad COM
ton nte that matter together with such information as
draw from the senators and representatives who are here
from that country, WILL believe. show that this sugges.
ton is totally incorrect part OF the Sth aTtce OF the
treaty is as follows:
"Mexcans established in Territories previously be-
longing Mexico and which remain for the future within
treaty. shall be free continue where they reside.
at any time to the Mexican republic retaining the
ns be e proceeds
please without their being subjected this account to any
contribution, tax, or charge whatever:
may either retain the title and rights OF Mexcan citizens or
acquire those OF citizens Of the United States But they
shall be under the make their election within
year from the date OF the exchange Of titncatSns
res after the expiration Of year. without having de-
clared their intention retain the character Of Mexlcans
United States"
Now, sir, under the proclamation OF General Riley, l
find that the qualifications OF voters were thus defined
Every free male citizen of the United States and Of
" a resident in the district hereafter. Is and win be
entitled the right of suffrage also citzens OF Lower Calf
OF having rendered assistance TO the American army
The qualifications OF voters prescribed in that proclama
ton are OF two classes FIRST American citizens residing IN
California and second citizens OF Lower California VINO
have been forced go that country on account OF hay
ing rendered assistance to the American army am told
that consequence OF the services which certain por
ton of the Mexicans in Lower California rendered 70 our
hundred did leave Lower California, and establish them
selves in Upper California Them sir there that class
OF persons who were not by the laws OF the land citi
zens OF the country They were not American citzens
They did not possess the rights OF American citizens
But those OF the Mexcans who were residents upon that
Territory at the ratification of the treaty OF peace
were American citizens The very terms OF the sih ar
tcle to which have already referred make them citizens
OF this country " Every Mexican citizen residing IN
that Territory for the term OF one year Is and shall De
considered 10 have made election 10 become clti-
zen OF the United States" AT the adoption OF that
constitution, than twelve months had elapsed,
Upper California was an American citizen, and had
the same right to vote that American citizens had
who had gone there from the States That class Of Mex
leans who had into the Territory from Lower Caor
mia were By the very article OF the constitution. precnded
from voting on its adoption. II ratified and confirm
ed b. American citizens only-by those who had the
| right as American citizens, oil voting.
But, SIR there word 10 say IN relation TO this nght
of voting The right OF voting in our Territories in the
formation OF constitutions is as varied as the right o
voting in the States doubt il you find in any two
Territories OF the United States that the rule has
been laid down regards the right OF elective franchise
Who voted in Maine when she became an independent
State, and prepared her constitution for admission into
the Union Sir, the negro voted there; and was there
an American citizen, and voted there then as he vote,
there II was question with which Congress hac
no right to interfere. question which belonged
that sovereign power determine and in her iudgmen
she fit to confer the right OF voting upon the colorec
man and he exercised it then, and exercises TO TIM
day.. Then, SIR when we come to the state OF ILLINOIS
find that foreigners voted here-hat the very law
Congress authorizing the admission OF Illinois a. one
the sovereign States into this Union made provision tina
foreigners should vote for the adoption of constitution
in indirect terms perhaps II prescribed rs that every
American citizen OF tweny-one years OF age, VINO nat