The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-04-11
.xTRACT OF Mr.. CALHOUN'S
SPEECH
on THE sLAvERY QUESTION.


ON THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
,eIivered in the Senate Of the United
States March 4th, 1850
Rnt the Executive proviso is more
|biecIionabIe than the Wllmot' IN
Ser and more important particulars.
he latter, to effect ITS object, infictS
dangerous wound upon the ConsIl-
tion, by depriving the Southern .
tes, as joint partners and owners OF
"a Territories, OF their rights in them;
h it inAicts no greater wound than is
lsoIutely necessary to effect its object.
he former, on the contrary, while it
aAlcts the same wound, inAicts others
laIIy great, and if possible, greater,
| shall next proceed to explain.
In claiming the right for the inhabl-
its, instead Of Congress, to leglsIate
the territories, in the Executive
Dviso, it assumes that the sovereign
over The Territories is vested in the
inner; or to express Itin the language
ed in resolution offered by one Of
Senators from Texas, tGen Hous-
b, now absent they have "the same
herent right Of self government as
e people ofthe States" The aSsump-
bn is Utterly untounded, unconstitu-
naI, without example, aud contrary
the entire practice of the Govern
ent, from its commencement to the
esent time, as Ishall proceed to
low.
The recent movements Of intivldu
IN California to form q constitution
d a State government, and TO ap-
int Senators and Representatives, i;
E first fruit Of this monstrouS as
mption. If the individuals, wht
ade this movement, had gone int
alifOmia as Adventures, and II al
ch, they had conquered the territory
d established their independence
E sovereignty Of the country woult
we been vested in them, as sep
ate and independent community
that case, they wonId have hal
right to form a constitution an,
establish a government for them
yes, and if ifaflerwards, they though
oPer to apply to Congress for &C
lsSlon into the Union as a sovereig
ID Independent State, all this woul
I've been regular and according
tahllshed principles. But such
pt the case, Itwas the United Stat
no conquered California, and final
qnlred itby treaty. The sovereigl
Of course, is invested in them, al
pt in the individuals who have q
npted to form a constitution and
ate without their consent. a
ls Is clear; beyond controvers
eless it can be shown that they hav
nce lost or been divested OF their SO
eighty.
NOT IS i less clear that the pow
leglslatlng over the acquired te
ory isVested in Congress, and nt
u IS assumed in the inhabitants
Territories. None can deny tn
government of the United Stat
I'VE the power to acquire Territorlt
ther by war or treaty; but if Il
wer 10 acquire exists, it belongs
OngresS to carry it into execution
this point there canbe no douI
the Constitution expressly provid
a. congress shall have power &
\ axe all laws which shall be necess
and proper to carry into executi,
9 foregoing powers:P tthose vest
Congress. aand all other powe
sted BY thee Constitution in the GO
nmentofthe United States, orin al
partment or officer thereof"
alters not, then where the power
sted, for if vested at all in the e
nmento the u. s. ofits departmt
oMcer the power Of carrying II
execution is clearly vested in Ok
ess' But this important prOvisit
Illle It gives 10 Congress the pow