The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-15

- Win hesc iaseihai IechhBs tnat uiake my
Mr. CLEMENS. | must ask few minutes Of the
Tune u the Senate 10 express my opinions the sub
Oil - TO pass; know that any thing can say here
Will have no effect 10 prevent lis passage and, under
these considerations, bad determined to content myself
with giving silent vote against H. Some OF my friends
however. have this morning suggested that few j.
marks from me might not be altogether out Of place.
II oeedence 10 their Wishes propose 10 state. rather
in tie form OF protest than speech the why
object TO the passage o this bill Those have
been heretofore stated and argued nj length BY myself and
others shall do nothing to-day than recaptulae
theatre any heightened discussion of topics which
not now be otherwise Than wearisome here.
object TO the passaae OF the bill because there has
been taken OF the inhabitants either BY federal
or territorial law, and this Senate has evidence that
al the formation OF the constitution there number
oil free Inhabitants within the limits oil California sl
clent to cattle her To representative much less
object TO it because no territorial government
established in California by law object 10 il because
there no law OF Congress fixing her boundaries and
no law authorizing the formation OF constitution and
State government Above all, object to il because il is
the offspring OF executive asaipaDn The convention
was called together organized and completed its sttings
under military auspices That clause of the constitution
which prohibits slavery VIGOROUSLY adopted
pressy exclude onehalf Of the States OF this Union
IRON an equal participation IN the fruits OF war in
which southern and northern blood was freely mingled,
and southern and northern treasure avishy expended
THESE objections not stated for the first time
urged them long ago. Aud n all the debate which has
followed must be permitted to say they have not been
answered Oa the contrary. they have been admitted
The force OF them. however, sought TO be evaded by
the assertion that, although many irregularities have
quesonably attended the application Of California for
admission State, yet these irregularities may be and
ought to be overlooked in consideration of the extraod
nary circumstances Of the that Congress having
failed 10 provide government for California il the
right OF the people to establish for themselves, which
not be altogether without force il California and the
jority in Congress the only parties in interest II
the rights OF else were affected the majority might
hxyf
guards and securities Such, however, is not the
There unfortunately. two interests in this govern
ment--a northern and q southern interest It becomes
necessary therefore, to know which OF these inter-
ess perpeated the first wrong and which is to be bene-
fted by that proposed If it be true that both
ra as 10 or Be Se
southern States alone guilty. Them would have
no right complain if that wrong should be urged
argument against The record, however, shows
that such not the In addition that record, il
needed, have the published declarations OF
the senator from New York Mr.. SEwARDl that he him
self manly instrumental in causing the defeat of
territorial bill The northern interest denied govern
ment 10 California; and when they be bene-
fed BY the admission of California, this outrage is
verted into argument, and g,avely asked TO
assent TO the doctrine that two wrongs make right
The failure to give California government was
fault OF ours Upon what principle, then, is the North
to be retcarded for sin she did commit and the South
punished tor earnestly endeavorng prevent its
mssionl Sir, feel bound to say that Loyoa had
ingenious more unscrupuous disciples than those
"
California and TO us, refusing territorial government
Now, another wrong TO be heaped upon because of
the first The story Of the scape goat, to which lis
tened long since, has found prototype in the his
tory of the southern people We have been dragged 10
the verge OF ecipce and are about 10 be hurled down
II Is necessary Thai should refer here MT President
10 few remarks which were made by the senator from
Michigan yesterday, and regret hat the honorable
is not in his seat but this is the only oppor
tuniy which shall have of adyerling to those remarks
in connexion with this BILL be must pardon for dise-
gang the usual courtesy extended TO assent senators
He told yesterday that the people OF California had
right to establish a government, with or without our
consent; that we, having failed to establish govern
meni for hem they had an inherent right 10 establish
learned from speech OF that senator, delivered few
years ago.. propose to read what his sentiments
in ls47 read from his speech on what is called the
three million bill:
without Of Congress providing for the organization
of IL. government
Now sir hisis precisely my doctrine and the doctrine
OF the South. We believe that act Of Congress is
despensable TO the government OF any Territory; and
when find that such act has passed in relation 10
California, can recognise government established
by those who may happen 10 he upon her soil leg
mate.
Again the senator says:
That Il the very step Its progress tho new career
opened TILL no legitimate authority can be
ercsed over H.
Again, sir, agree with the SENATOR and am happy to
be able TO quote his high authority against the doc
tne OF squaer soyereignly which is beginning per
wade the land The tight OF few individual 10 seize
upon ihe public domain, and erect themselves into SO
eregn,y is something which, in my Judgment cannnoi be
strongly Ieprobated II had other reason for op
tosing the admission OF CHllorns, this alone would be
sufficient aud might appeal TO the senator from M'ch-
gan 10 20 with that opposition, II be still adberes 10
the opinions have quoted.
Mr. President other senators have spoken OF the proba
bic action o the States they represent upon the passage
of this bill. do not know what Alabama may do
That her action will be characterized by wisdom and
hrmness nave not the least doubt am not here TO in
dicaie 10 her what she ought o do. ! am the servants
not the leader Of her people Whatever they do, shall
do in despite OF executive menaces and o III the bloody
pictures other hands may exhibit 10 our yiew. Born
upon the soil OF the Stale while Il yet Territory
we have grown up together. Time after time she has
Again and again she has trusted and promoted me, and
recognise allegiance 10 any power higher than that
owe 10 her. Whenever she commands will obey. IL
she determines resist this law by force by secession
By any means, al her service, in whatever capacity
she desires 10 employ me. II this be treason, | am
tratoc--a traitor who glores in the name.
know sir that the President in his late letter 10 the
governor OF Texas has assumed the right OF the govern
men 10 coerce sovereign Stale. deny that there ~
ANYTHING in tie constDtion--anyhing in the laws--to
Justify such an assumption The law plain and clear
individuals States the subjects OF coercion. IL
any Stale should seceJe lei him, u he dares, attempt TO
employ military iorce TO compel her return. He viii
soon Una in thai event that he has than State 10
deal wh and Lat the powers aud resources OF this gov
wholly inadequate 10 the task he has under
takea TIE federal doctrine that all power lodges here
has been somewhat widely repuda,ed, and the denial OF
State sovereignty either North or South, can bring to the
Executive nothing but contempt
hold that my first allegiance Is due 10 my State, and
that treason cannot be committed against any power
while oDeyng her mandates. Such opinions have re.