The North-Carolina standard., 1850-09-18

Mexican laws, which they unwilling to repeal,
performed the Office of the Wilmot proviso. Some
of the class doubted the efficacy, and demand
ed the proviso. But when the ill-construced omni-
bus was overshrown, and the true test question of
Abolition came up-when the issue was to waive all
the informalites contained in the constitution and
ganzation of California-in other words, to the
Wimot proviso by the adoption of the constitution
with all Of their defective elements in its formation
then it was manifest that all Free-Soilers and anti
slavery voted for the California bill-all Wilmot
proviso men, North and South, and one or TWO Sem
ators who believed he adverse to the principles
of the proviso. One thing is certain, that those
who voted for the Oregon bill of last session,
tanning the proviso, also voted for the admission of
California. 1t is true that southern Senators
were absent on this important occasion, and did
| not choose to record their votes upon a measure
which had occupied seven months of the session.
Of their opinions it would not be proper to speak.
The great fact exists, that constitution was framed
by convention called by an army-chief-a military
governor whose deliberations superinended by
him-who had the benefit of the advice of L. Butler
hing, who went on mission from, and was fully ac-
quainted with the views of the President; that emf
grants, native and foreign, squatters and negroes pill
grims and passers-by, united in this fragrant act, and
that the Senate has ratified the seizure of the whole
Pacific coast and its appropriation to abolition purpo-
ses-a territory whose inexhaustble mines have in
one year yielded about thiry-6ve millions of dollars
from the crude and impefect operations of unskful
mners-a domain which, if accessible to slave labor.
would add hundred per cent. to the value of all
dsposdble labor of that descriptions loss under
which the whole South is to suffer that foreigners
may become rich. All this is done in open Senate,
and but eight southern Senators are found to vote
against it,
But, sir, it was gratifying to find amongst that
small number those who had uniformly and steadily
opposed the whole adjustment arrangement. They
had another good and sufficient reason. None of the
e Of Of fhe me w their
appreciation. They knew of no process by which an
accumulation of bad measures rendered any one OF
them more acceptable. They had learned no rule by
which three insults combined were equivalent to a
compment-no discovery in chemistry which would
convert three offensive odors into perfume They
were not disposed to take insults by the wholesale,
which ought to be resented each in its place. They
were unwilling to load the South with chains, mere
ly because those who proposed to enslave her at
tempted to fulfil the design by one enactment. 10
southern statesmen who framed that measure. and
were willing to infc, it the country, say that
they not accountable TO but to their constitu
ents. TO those who feel called upon to denounce as
Gsunonis's those who were opposed to their scheme,
say distinctly, there offences which are never
forgiven. The system OF christianity requires forgiv
of personal injuries; and this is not only duty
TO our telow-men. but justice to ourselves Malig-
nifty is its own executioner, and infcts most awful
tor,ures those who cherish it. But political un-
tahuness is not and ought not to be forgiven. The
day of settlement will come, and charges of disunon
and camors about treason, threats to coerce States
and punish traitors will be all nailed to the counter
as base counterfeit coin. There will be another sort
of treachery passed in review, and other actors who
will be seen after the clamor about others shall have
ceased. They will learn that the wrnnged and in
jured South will regard HIM alone as disunonist
who, following the lead of FreeSoiers and emanci-
pators was willing to disinherit her OF all the fair
domain which her sword had won, the blood of her
sons had watered, and her treasure purchased. Woe
to them when they shall feel that they surrounded
by ring-fre which continually approaches, the heat
becoming more intense the anguish more insuPporta-
BILE, until they consumed and annihilated III the
burning focus of public indignation.
But, sir, must speak for short time as to the
title of Texas to the boundary which she claims, and
duty to defend her in that claim. The resolutions
of annexation, the supreme law of the land, acknow-
edged her claim TO latitude above $50 80, for they
provide for the States to be made above aud below
that Iine and absolutely forbid slavery above. The
war declared and prosecuted by the Democratic party
bloody and cruel outrage, founded on fasehood
and crime, else the title in Texas to the lower Rio
Grande was valid. The latitude Of $50 80 is nearly
that of Sa, ia Fe, claimed as part OF New Mex
leo. Then the resolutions of annexation, and the
action of our Government acknowledging the Rio
GEande, is conclusive of the understanding between
the parties themselves. But this is not ALL By those
resolutions Texas deprived herself OF the right to ne
gotiate her boundary, and the United States assumed
the Office and the responsibility. BY the treaty Of
Guadalupe Hidago, the whole country north of Ell
Paso on the Rio Grande west, was absorbed by the
United States. The Texas boundary, the avowed
cause of the war; came, by that treaty, into the pos
session of this Government as trustee. With whom,
then the United States treat to settle it by
negotiation! The question is too plain tor argument
All principles of law and equity decide, that the cestui
que trust is entitled to the benefit OF property acquired
III his and his right. So thought President
Polk, and so thought the last House of Representa-
tiya III. H. tn
render the territory east of the Rio Grande to Texas,
and the House OF Representatives concurrsd In that
determination. Besides, sir, the gist OF the contest
between the parties to the Mexican war was, that
Texas did not extend beyond the Nueces. Why,
then, has not the President claimed the country
the lower Rio Grande, we'll as that on the upper
portion of that river! 1t is reply that the title of
TamauIipas has been extingushed toall the country
OF the lower Rio Grande. So has all the politi
cal existence of New Mexico been destroyed and abb
sorbed by the treaty of cesson. FROM Ell Paso
westwardly the Pacific, the treaty line includes all
of tha, former province of the Mexican Republic not
claimed by the authorities of Texas. So clear was
the case, that the late President OF the United
States directed his military commandant, in his first
Instructions obstruc the extension OF the civil
jurisdiction Of Texas over the country east OF the Rio
Grande
The obligation on the United States to assert and
maintain the boundary of Texas, may be made mani
fest in another view OF the subject. Suppose that
after the adoption Of the resolutions of annexation,
and before the acceptance of Texas, sudden erup-
tion of Mexicans had driven the Texans to the Sa-
bine-Texas accepting the resolutions, as she did,
can any one question that the United States would
have been bound 70 recover the possession of the
Territory of Texas! And having done SO, it would
Immediately inure to the sovereignty which had be-
come one of US. The obligation assert her rights,
and the undertaking to negotiate for her boundary,
together with the declaration Of President Polk the
negotiator, and the action of this House, make it
manifest that all sides believed and intended to fix