The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-28

D.
special message of the President of the United
States, transmitting the constitution Of the State Of
California.
Mr. AsHMUN, Of Massac husetts, said that he
should vote for the admission OF California. He be-
leved that the views Of the President founded
in patriotism and wisdom, and demanded the con-
sideration OF the House and the country. He could
not tell when the question would be taken. They
we're now in the last days Of the fourth month Of
the session. Six weeks were spent in the attempt
10 ORGANIZE and now, 10 this day, what has been
done? bill 10 collect the revenue, and small
bill, as an act OF grace, granting the franking
privilege to Mrs. Polk, have been passed by Con-
gress; and beyond this he did not know. With an
Overwhelming Democratic majority in the Senate,
and Democratic majority enough TO elect Speaker,
and TO command the committees OF the House, the
public business has been stopped. The Presi-
dents annual message, recommending important
measures, has been passed by with contempt, be-
cause of other matters more exciting.
What has produced this condition of things
We merged out of a war begun under the idle pre-
text OF obtaining our just rights, and continued for
the avowed purpose OF conquest. The army brought
back the spos Of victory, and over them we were
engaged We spent hundred millions of dollars,
and sacrificed the lives of ten thousand men, and
obtained one third of the soil of Mexico. This was
the effect Of the policy of the last administration.
He voted against the declaration OF war because he
ioresaw the consequences. He voted not only
against the war, but against the appropriation for
the contamination of the treaty. He remembered
that the gentleman from Tennessee Mr.. GENTRY
predicted that, if territory should be acquired, the
North as one man, would resist the extension Of
slavery. The prophecy made Is now in the process
of fuhment The North will resist and this Is
the whole, sole cause of the present struggle The
effort OF the South Is to carry slavery to the soil
where freedom now is, and the North will endeavor
to prevent it. This, he repeated, was the cause
of the present struggle.
1t was said that Texas must be annexed because
the interests Of slavery required it. And annexa-
ton was brought about by the school of Nullifers
and the advocates of resolutions '9S. and the
union with the church of the northern Democracy;
those who cannot find in the Constitution power to
authorize the improvement of rivers and harbors
and protection to domestic industry. From that
hour the North were aroused. They and felt
the purpose. Two Representatives and two Sena-
tors were admitted to the floor of Congress, and
their very first act to vote for the revenue bill
of 1916, by which the free labor of the country was
put down.
The slavery question entered more or less in the
last Presidential contest. The cries of dissolution
Of the Union were not heard distinctly until after
the Inauguration of the President, the fourth oil
March, lo49 Then 1t proclaimed that south
ern rights were in danger, and the South called to
rally as one man, and we had catalogue of the
crimes of the North drawn up by the southern eau
Gus, and next the suggestion Of convention at
Nashville to concentrate the South. We have seen
it charged in speeches this floor and in the
Union newspaper, that the Wings had elected a
President treacherous to the South. liza Democratic
President had been elected by the North and the
South, all would have been right. They charge
that the election of General Taylor has brough,
about the present difficulty.
He did not believe that the Nashville convention
is invoked for the purpose of disunion. He believed
the statement of the gentleman from Mississippi,
(Mr. THoMPsoN) that the most active, the master
spirits want to make political platform. He be-
lieved that they design to lay southern platform
He had heard of platforms before. There was one
at Buffalo, where the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
GIDDISGs) was seen in open physical embrace
with b. T. Butler, who offered the Texas resolution
in the Baltimore convention. But the rains de
scended, and the winds blew upon it, and there il
not plank left. Now that General Taylor il
elected, the cup of southern endurance is to be
drained, because it is alleged southern rights have
been trodden under foot. Geographical parties
cannot exist in this country, and the fate that
beiell the Buffalo convention awaits that at Nash
VILE 1t will produce commotion for time, but he
had no fears for the Union.
Resistance and blood had been proclaimed by his
friend from Alabama, who said that the aggres
sions of the North would justify revolution; and the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. CLISGMAN)
had said that quorum of the House may be de-
stroyed by use of weapons, if act be passed to
exclude slavery. But the North do not propose or
desire to Cypress crush any State. They only
propose that where slavery does not exist, Il
shall not CO. and because the representatives from
the North vote, revolution OF blood is declared.
II cannot be that, for such cause, revolution will
be attempted. For fifty years past, the South has
a - =; r. :" - .hs natr9ns ore Of the G9yern
Virginia, has managed TO control the destinies Of
the nation. The South has asked any thing
that Congress has not granted. The North now has
taken her stand.
He said that the clause of the Constitution in re.
gard to the restoration Of fugitives had been
| much regarded as il ought to have been. II was
binding. He could not read the Constitution in any
other way. He had no mental reservation on the
subject. He would remark, at the same time, that
while he would protect southern rights, he would
not interfere with northern rights His own view
was, that these rights should be guarded by the
trial by jury, against which no complaint bad been
made. Whatever objection might be urged, north
ern juries will do their duty. Massachusetts, re-
cognises black men citizens; they entitled to
vote, and 10 other privileges. When they go in
ships TO Charleston for the fact that they are
colored they are taken under custody until the
vessel Is ready to sail. This IL violation Of the
Constitution which says that "the citizens of each
State shall be entitled 10 all privileges and immun-
ties Of citizens in the several States" Massachu-
sets had attempted, in the most quiet way TO test
the legality OF this regulation in the South Carolina
courts, but her agent was driven from Charleston
by a mob.
| revolution is threatened? He had shown that the
slavery restriction had grown out of the anne xation
of Texas. BY the terms Of annexation the right
| was given TO form four more States. He could
read the resolutions in other way though he be-
| lieved that they were conceived in sin, and
brought forth in iniquity." When the contingency
| shall arrive, he, If a member of Congress- would
far as he could, fulfil the obligation twas only
have come 10 the determination that slavery ought
| not 10 go where II does not now exist.
The only question was, is New Mexico in such a
condition as 10 require gentlemen TO insist on the
proviso' Since California has found State consti-
tuition, things have changed. He had no apprehen-
sion that slavery can go there now. If Congress
refuse 10 admit her. and remand her back 10 ter
ritorial condition. he free 10 say that he would
not insist on forcing the Wilmot proviso Il would
| be unnecessary. II gentlemen could produce 10
him satisfactory evidence that slavery will GO
New Mexico, no act Of his should give offence. II
southern gentlemen insist carrying their slaves
thither, merely as point Of honor, he would yield
IL they say-"whereas the power Of Congress on
the subject OF slavery IL disputed power, and its
application 10 the Territories would have no prac-
teal effect, and whereas its exercise would have
| tendency 20 produce alienation" nc would meet
them there. But many OF them insist the power
TO carry slavery into the Territories; they insist
upon il as a money right and political right. lie
would ask them whether they believe, with a
knowledge Of the geographical character Of the
/ country, and the population now there and going
there, slavery can exist among them, and whether
IL is desirable thing to carry slaves thther and
make them profitable II so, then he would con
form himself TO the views Of his constituents, and
4 -.