The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-18

and net with the report The reasons assigned in thu "a
pon are not part OF the bill The senator may have III,
own reasons Tor advocating the bill. The reasons a.
signed the report are not those by which must BE-
necessarily governed
Now, il that proposition be lrue- dealing with
the bill and not with the repor-f take exceo
ton 10 the assigned IN the report for The Wilmo
Proyiso, but conhne ourselves TO the BILL for The
those who advocate the bill in its present
form have right TO go TO the report Tor The purpose OF
Justlfylng the exact provisions OF ths bill.
Then, sir as 10 the objection that this is not proper
legislation Sir, as understand u, the great object Of
this blllls value, II shall be put form acceptable
to the Senate OF the United Staess that Is TO be bill
OF peace, Ii is not merely that il is practical legislation
defining the limits OF Territory but in saying what shall
be the form OF the governments To be established, It is al
The same time 10 exercise saluary influence upon the
temper Of the public mind, excited ii has been for
some time past ey dlslraeii9g question; and surely ST.
the principle contained in that report, that the true rule
OF Congress- in all future Legislation on the subject OF The
Territories, is 10 abstain from all interference with the
subject OF slavery -il the Senate is prepared TO affirm
that principles nothing can exert more saluary iniu,
upon the public mind as refusal, on The other
hand, upon motion presenting that specific question,
would have precisely the contrary effect Ii senator's
not willing 10 meet this question, and will risk all at
this stage of the bill-if they refuse 70 affirm this
proposition, although il may result IN no particular legs
lon they will refuse TO do that which comports with The
character that they ascbe TO this bill, aud which Is Of
the very essence Of this bill The amendment Of the
senator from Louisiana. il adopted will, IN my opinion
60 far 10 tranquilze the pubic mind and feeling; and
hope that may distinct expression OF the sentiment
Of the Senate Of the United States in airnance Of this
proposition contained in the reporttha in all future
cases OF territorial legislation. the proper course will be
to leave the Territories 70 establish their own institutions
in their own way. believe that ssch vote will do
more 10 quiet the public mind than any provision contain
ed in the BILL
Mr. Fo0TE. Idesre to make very few remarks upon
this subject There OF who have no diff.
Guilty in relation 10 it, There very large party nthe
United States who agree with perfect nnanimity in rea
ton to the main principle involved in the amendment
der 1t is the precise principle OF the Mich
III Ne have declared. with that e
ter, 10 the wDst explicit TERMS that II belongs exclusively
to the people Of The Territories TO determine for them
selves what they will do with the subject OF slavery at
the period OF their admission into the Union That is
the clearly asserted doctrine OF the democratic party Of
the United States and was recognised and understood
during the canvass OF 1913, everywhere. am not 50
certain that it was expedient to offer the amendment,
under existing circumstances, though should not like
say that nexpedent, after what has fallen from
the honorable senator from Louisiana Mr.. SoULE] who
has offered the amendment and from the honorable
tor from Georgia Mr.. BERRIEs,1 who has cogenty
enforced it, very sure that, having been offered it
ought not to be rejected Such step would produce the
worst effects throughout the country am satisfied, sir
that having been introduced, ought BY all MEANS 10 be
adopted Il would be mischevous u the extreme IN its
influence upon the public mind of the Soulh were we
deliberately TO reject simple proposition that the
people Of the Territories, when coming into the Union
States shall have the right accorded to them settle the
question Of slavery for themselves In taking any such
course, great risk of confirming that distrus
already existing TO some extent touching The permanence
of any settlement which may be able to bring about
Therefore, if felt disposed to regret that this
amendment was introduced, should feel imperativey
bound, under the circumstances, 10 vote Tor il.
beg leave also, 10 say, that differ from the honor.
able senator from New Hampshire, Mr. HALEl in regard
to point discussed by hun Ii may be because conide
than he does in the honor and patriotism Of those
who to after and perhaps cherish stronger
confidence in the peeuty oil free Institutions that
account, than he does. Certain It's that do differ from him
most emphaucally IN regard To the likelihood OF what
may agree upon being hereafter repeated and carried
have not the slightest suspicion that future Congress
will attempt 10 disturb any arrangement which
solemn occasion as this, shall make, for adjusting the
questions which now distract the country | have no
fear that the members OF any Congress which may be
hereafter held will far disregard the principles of good
faith, and OF individual and corporate honor to attempt
TO disturb such compromise that which we are
framing, embracing does many important subjects,
and awakening much anxiety in the public mind OF the
whole nation. believe that whatever we may now do
will quiet the public mind at and permanently and
will become the settled law OF the land, IN which all par
ties Will ultimately be disposed TO acquiesce. ! hope
therefore, that nothing will calculated TO shake that
confidence in the wholesome efficiency of the
which will otherwise be felt throughout the republic and
that may never more be compelled to hear the howl
ing OF that storm which has shaken the solid fabric OF
our noble government TO its foundation and which may
ascribe its origin TO the wicked contrvances OF the most
unprncipled band oil ambitious demagogues who have
ever disturbed the quiet OF patriotic and enlightened
people ,,,-p,,eo, ~
amendment, little different from that OF the honoa-
bic senator from Louisiana, Mr. SoULE Ii the same
in substance but expressed different form. II reads
as follows
And shall be admitted State Of the Union, terms Of
equality in all respects with the original States, and
with such constitution as may adopt with no other re-
srction Than that II shall be republican in form.
Mr.. CLEMENS Mr., President, as this subject is
likely to give rise to discussion, and there num-
Der OF executive appointments necessary 10 be acted upon
in order that the may be taken, move that the
bill be postponed until Monday next, and that the
Senate do now go into executive session.
Mr. ATCHlSON. trust the honorable senator from
Alabama will withdraw that motion, and let the vote be
taken.
Mr. CLEMENS. Ifyou can take vote, am willing
10 withdraw it,
Mr. CLAY Mr.. President, ! think that there will be
no protracuon OF the debate think geta vote.
In expressing the opinion which did to the honorable
senator from Louisiana Mr. SoULEl against this amend
ment, meant only 10 state my own feeling with regard
10 what expedient And had thought that his
amendment would meet with general favor should, in
dvduay, have made objection TO it, There is class
oil amendments, on side and on the other. which
should neither advocate nor oppose on my own account
am only anxious that they should be disposed OF. |
do attach them the value which those who advo-
Gated them do, do attribute to them the perncous
effects which their opponents attribute
Mr.. S0ULE. will not undertake, Mr.. President, TO
press second time upon the consideration OF the Senate
the Arguments which have been presented by the honora
Bile and distinguished senator from Georgia. in support OF
the amendment upon your table. The honorable
senator has. indeed, trumpbanty answered all, or
nearly ALL the objections which urged against by
pererogaton my part, to attempt 10 enforce
them by anything which might say urge in their vim
dcaon. Yet, sir, wish to word or two TO the
honorable senator from New Hampshire, who to
find Mss that should have presumed 10 assmilae the
under debate to the compact which entered