Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-22

ment 81 the BILL which ordered, and being taken,
suited as follows:
YEAS-Messrs. Atchison, Badger Bell Benton Berren,
Bright Clarke, Clay Clemens, Davis Of Mississippi Dawson
Dayton Dodge Of Wisconsin, Dodge ofIowa Downs, Felch
Foote Greene, Houston Jones' Norris Pratt Rusl Seward
S0uie spruance Sturgeon, Turney, Underwood wales
NAYS-Messrs. Chase Hale, Pearce, Walker and Whit
comb.
THE COMPROMISE BILL.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration Of the bill
providing for the admission of California into the Union as
State, for establishing Territorial Governments for Utah ana
New Mexico, and making proposals Texas for the settle
ment oil her northern and western boundaries
The pending question the amendment offered by Mr.
Nc SoULE
Mr. BUTLER. was about making a few remarks in re-
ply to the Senator from Mississippi the time the Senate
adjourned on Saturday. 1t is not my wish to take up ahe
time OF the Senate further than to present in distinct form
the propositions which then barely indicated MY friend
from Mississippi said that he going to Sum Wing me-
or deprive me Of the right Of being considered Estate
Rights man. The proposition that laid down was that
Congress- by virtue Of its authority under the constitution had
jurisdiction the Territories there metaphysics IN
that further minated that believed, pro taSo, 1t was
the sovereign power to the extent that could beexeclsed
under the constitution of the United States and further
maintained that the safest mode Of admitting NV States
is pursue precedent and usage, and to allow no State to
into the Union that had not applied to Congress In the
first instance to form constitution and that on presenting
that constitution it should be admitted into the Uon, be-
meet to form Safe constitution without such auihofy from
Congress, they necessarily form in way to accommodate
themselves the majority and popiae the prevailing power
in this Government know this doctrine is in confft with
the opinions Of the school Of politicians who believe pat the
people who first settle in the Territories have spcies OF
spontaneous sovereignty sprngng up. believe thee
philosophers who believe in the spontaneous production OF
plants without seed believe they may be very well cassed
with that class politicians who believe that Congress has
authority but that the jurisdiction belongs the first settlers
the SOIL DO not intend to detain the Senate by any
longer discussion upon these points, as believe the Sc
nator from Louisiana designs to speak upon his amendment
and shall therefore any further remarks have to
make these points, until address the Senate the gene
raj question
Mr.. WEBSTER On the 7th of March, sir, declared
my opinion to be- that there square rod of territory
belonging the United States the character Of which, for
slavery slavery, is already fixed by rrepea
able law. remain Of that opinion. The opinion, sir has
been good deal canvased the country and there have been
complaints respectful anddecoous and sometimes
so loud and SO empty to become mere clamor But
have heard argument upon any question of law embraced
in that opinion which shakes the rmness with which hold
have heard any discussion upon any matter OF fact
that part the opinion which rests facts which leads
to doubt the accuracy Of my conclusions to that part
of the opinion which regarded the true construction, or
might with more Propety say, almost the literal meaning, Of
the resolutions by which Texas admitted into the Union
have heard argument calculated in the slightest degree,
TO alter that opinion The committee believe, with
accord, concured in it, great deal of surprise, real or
affected has been expressed in the country at the announce
ment by of that opinion, if there something
in it. Yet there need have been surprise, for there
nothing in it, Other gentlemen have expressed the
opinion than once; and myself, in speech
made here the 23d day Of March, ls4s, expressed the
opinion, almost in the words with which nobody
here found any u-at which nobody here caved made
question, and nobody in the country.
With respect to the other ground which my opinion is
founded that is the high improbaby in point Of fact that
African slavery could be introduced and established in any of
H.
with Mexico have learned nothing, heard nohng from
that day this that has not entirely confirmed that opinion
That being my judgment this NATTER voted very readily
and cheeruly to exclude what is called the Wimo proviso
from these Territorial bills, to keep it out, rather when
motion made to introduce it. did SO, upon very full
and deep conviction that act of Congress- provision of
law necessary any degree for that purpose that there
natural and sufficient and excluding for
African slavery from those regions That was my
judgment, and acted on it and it is my judgment STILL
Those who think differently, WILL of course pursue different
line of conduct in accordance with their judgments
That opinion then, and il has been strengthened by
every thing that have learned snce and have no more
prehension to-day of the introduction establishment OF
African slavery in these Territories than have Of its intro
ducton into, and establishment 10, Massachusetts.
Well, sir have voted not TO place in these Territorial
bills what is called the Wimo provso, and by that vote
having sgnifed disposition exclude the prohibition,
thing unnecessary, am called upon to vote upon this
amendment moved by The honorable member from Louisiana
r SoULE which provides that the States formed out Of
New Mexico and Utah shall have the right and privilege Of
making their constitutions and Of presenting those con-
situations Congress conrmaby to the Constitution Of the
United States with without prohibition against slavery,
the people Of those Territories about to become Sates
may fit to declare have not much practical utility
in this amendment agree Nevertheless if should vote,
that it presented to me- against it. might leave me
open suspicion of intending wishing to that accom-
pished in another way hereafter which did not choose to
accomplished by the introduction of the Wmo proviso
That say, might voting against that form of
exclusion prohibition, might be willing still that there
should be chance hereafter to enforce it in some other
Now, think that righteousness and steadiness OF purpose
ment, and shall vote for it. do it exactly the
grounds that voted against the introduction Of the provso
And let it be remembered that now speaking Of New
Mexico and Utah, and other territories acquired from Next
and Of nothing else con6ne myself to these and,
Them say that see no occasion to make provision
against slavery now to ourselves the right OF
making such provision hereafter All this rests, on the most
thorough conviction that law Of nature there never
be slavery in these Territories This the foundation Of
of this amendment for the that all restrictions are un
necessary absolutely unnecessary and as such restrictions
give offence and kind of resentment they create
degree of dissatisfaction and desire to avoid all dssa
sacon far can, by avoiding all measures that cause
it, and which my judgment wholly unnecessary, shall
vote voted former occasion, and shall support
the amendment offered by the honorable member from Louis
repeat again, do upon the exact grounds upon
which declared upon the 18th day of March that should re-
sist the Wilmot proviso-the precise grounds.
Sir does strike other Senators strikes me,
but there be any qualification to that general remark which
made the opinion which expressed the 9TH of March,
that every foot of territory of the United States has fixed
character for slavery slavery if there be any qua6
cation that remark it has arisen here from what to