The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-02-27

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ijoritY, that the Government shah be Republican
The farmers Of the Constitution evidently did not
contemplate the annexation Of foreign territory
they formed Government only for the Thirteen
sagacious and faT-seeing they were, the rapid
growth of their country was never dreamed Of,
much less did it enter into their waking thoughts
But the Government which they formed has
adapted itself 70 the exigencies Of the country, as
the bark Of the sapling continues to girdle the
giant oak What clause in the Constitution au-
thorized the purchase Of Louisiana? State ne
cessity. 1t is with nations as with individuals
there are certain rules of etiquette which social
| convenience have established, yet sometimes thew
are compelled to yield to the pressure Of accident.
All remember the ridiculous story Of the English
man who let poor wretch drown because he had
never been introduced. Had the statesmen of Mr..
Jetferson's administration stood on etiquette and
constitutional punctilio, the Louisiana Territory
would have. belonged to the British Monarchy.
But how did Texas become incorporated into the
United States And finally under what clause
have we acquired the soil Of California? 1t is
now too late to question the fact discussion on
such subject would be about as useful as some
of those which amused the fancies of the Casuists
deepest interest to is, what shall be done with
California By magic, as it were, the barren
| mountains have been turned to golden mines; a
solitude into populous country. 1t belongs to
the United States, but it is separated from us by
distance and obstacles more difficult to overcome
! than the ocean which divided the American Colo
MES from the Mother Country. Already Ameri-
can citizens have there established State Gov
eminent. This they have actually put into opera
ton, and they can support that State Government
in spite of the Federal Government--not BY force
of steel, but by the seductive influence Of gold.
Engage in war against foreign foe, and Amer
lea marshal forth her hosts at a moments call.
But those who would enlist in fratricidal war
| would be mercenary wretches; the Californians
would only have to publish manifesto, giving to
every deserter presumption digging, and the
American Army would disappear. To retain Cali
iorna by force, is not only impossible, in point of
TACT but would be at war with the fundamental
principle of our Government The distance which
separates us from the Pacific Territory, or rather
State, must be overcome by great National Rail-
road, and by wise and liberal policy.
The acquisition of California did, for short
space, present most serious disturbance. In
adopting territorial government the principle of
slavery did spring up, like armed man in the way
to afrestthe progress of our peaceful journey. 1t
was admitted on all hands that slavery could not
exist in that region; it is an institution which can
not be grated into settled community, it must be
sown in the infancy Of society. Again, the popula-
ton which has rushed that golden region consists
Of men Of bold, adventurous hearts, from all parts
Of the earth,
save hair dzn;r.t
OF all species of property this is the most aristo.
cratic, the most odious to poor men. We see here
on The levee the practical operation of the contest
between free and slave labor. The slaves are be-
ing rapidly Withdrawn from the competition. Cal.
ifornia is evee of millions of miles, and thousands
OF free laborers-poor Cufee, free or slave stands
but a slim chance.
II being admitted that slavery cannot exist in that
region, the South has insisted that its Legislative
exclusion was only intended as an insult that no
good object was to be attained by such provision
The power of Congress to act the subject is aues
toned and then the justice of the measure is denied
The North, on the other side insisted on the decIar
alton Of the exclusion, with pertinaciy little cred
liable to It's pretended philanthropy. Such was the
state OF affairs when Congress adjourned. General
Taylor, anxious to effect settlement of the dan
gerous questions terms which might save the
nonor OF both parties, sent agent to California to
inform the inhabitants that the administration
would favor the formation Of a State The hint
has been acted upon, and California has presented
herself as State. All good citizens reioiced that
the danger was over-the point had been cleared
and the noble ship was beyond the breakers. But
now the extreme South, forgetful of its former de-
Carnations, opposes the demand of California for.
sooth, because in its Constitution is incorporated
the exclusion of slavery.
In lS47, Mr. Calhoun introduced a series of reso
lutlons on this subject in one which he announces
the fundamental right of the people OF State, on
coming into the Union, to form and adopt the gov
eminent which they may think best calculated to
secure their own liberty prosperity and happiness
that in conformity thereto, no other coalition is
imposed by the Federal Constitution on State, in
order to be admitted into this Union, except that It's
Constitution shall be republican and that the i'm
position of any other by Congress would not only
be in violation of the Constitution, but in direct
'onfct with the principle on which our political
ystem rests"
Tested BY this rule the people of California have
he right to exclude include the institution Of
lavery. Suppose they had seen fit to establish it.
ie abolitonists of the North would have opposed
$ admission, and then there would have been no
nd to Southern indignation, very justly felt and
Spressed. 1t would have justified the Nashville
convention, and stronger measures The attempt,
the part OF the North to dictate to the citizens of
atfornia, if carried out, would have dissolved the
Inion.
II, and II, said the lawyer" is to be found else
there than in the horn-book. If the people of
outh Carolina may protect the institution by an
Tganic law, 50 may the people of Massachusetts
rohiblt 1t and the people of California have the
anne rights. The objection to the admission of
aihornla, based on this exclusion of slavery. is an
unconditional surrender by the South; il is an
abandonment OF the great principle, the right Of
it is the denial of freedom of
phlon, and the consequent disfranchisement Of
very citizen who migrates to our Pacific territory
he arguments based on the boundaries, and on
le irregularity in the mode of procedure, are but
retexts After the purchase of Louisiana, the
lordas, and the annexation of Texas, and of Cali
rnla ITSELF il is little too late to stand ON form
would be to strain at a gnat and swallow
mel BY the admission of California with its
resent boundaries, we have one instead of three
ee States. The present Senators are Southern
ien' by refusing it admission, we leave that in.
'resting country without government, or we force
n Congress the discussion Of a sectional question
when may end in the separation Of the Union.
y hat does patriotism counsel?
since the above was written, the Evening Pic
yune furnishes the nroceedings If The Hon., -, |