The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-09

Mr. J. s. Phelps, Of Missouri did the honor OF referring,
debate in the House OF Representatives
opinion which we once expressed in favor Of California
forming constitution for herself because Congress had
failed to give her a territorial government He femem
beers to forget some OF the elements which enter into ibe
question We do not plead that our opinion was ex-
pressed 10 moment Of great exciienentthe next day
after Congress adjourned in March, l6s9afsr every e
fort had failed organize government for California,
and when this defeat had excited the most indignant feel
ings among The friends Of the We pass
all this however, and ask MIR Phelps 10 consider the
change which has taken place since. In The first
place. were the people OF California left to themselves to
form their own constitution No. The Executive Of the
United States first assumed the unprecedented power oil
appointing general civil governor without any
hority from the law the constitution or the rights OF
war Next this military civil governor undertook to pro-
nounce the Mexican laws in force, and then in
terpreed, the law to keep Shareholders from going to
California Next he undertook TO interfere with the
people in calling the convention to form constitution.
and to oficiae in the proceedings Of that convention
All these things Objectionable, and neered with
the proposition we had laid down. And now, with the
further elements that they have covered all the Territory
and the ports that they have pleased they present them
selves 10 Congress for admission Butat this veymomen
too, very material change has taken place in the gen.
eral situation OF our country. The admission OF Caor
MIA has become complicated with the Territories, Texas
and the fugitive slave BILL and the country is shaken TO
its centre by this whole exciting question: the Union
itself is threatened unless the whole question is settled
and the door OF agitation is closed up Then comes the
important problem Shall we admit California alone, with
her anti slave constitution, and grant nothing the South
as an equivalent in the Terriioriesl The South has
been distracted by the struggle to introduce the Wmo
Proyiso into the Territories. Shall not the fell iend be
laid and something granted to the South for the admis
sion OF California; The people Of the Territories too,
are as much entitled to protection and territorial ogan
cation as their neghbors OF California TO State gov
eminent What, them shall we do Put them adrift or
provide territorial government for them, stripped Of the
abominable Wimot Provso' Shall allay this alarm
ing excitement in our country, increase il by this par
,a temporzing, unstaiesmanlike course Shall stop
one Leak and leave the open Shall we staunch the
wound upon one finger and leave the other four pouring
out the very hfe-bood from their CHASTITY wounds No
statesman could recommend this course and therefore
we consider General Taylor any OF his followers des
ttue in this respect OF the character OF statesman
or patriot. Does Dir. Phelps understand us now For
our own part, we say now, with all the objections
have formed 10 the OF proceeding in California,
we would admit her part OF general system OF
promise-to settle the whole question; to remove far
as possibe every cause Of complaint; give peace to
TO which il will be otherwise subjected