The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-25
MIR. JOHNSON, of Arkansas. Then don't be-


alton bills passed. and do not believe that any
one on the Democratic side, who advocates the
| Wilmot proyiso has an apprehension they will not
! be passed. do not think that there Is any party
out passing the bills but think 1t most likely
that Congress will adjourn without admitting Cal
! ifornia.
MIR. McCLERNAND said he was surprised at the
course which the member from the Chicago district
had taken this morning in regard TO the appropra-
ton bills and the admission of California II he mis-
took not, the zeal of the gentleman for California is Of
recent date Ii originated with this session OF Con-
| gress II he mistook not, the gentleman decid
eddy and violently opposed to the admission OF Cali
iornia last session, State. Not only was he OPP
posed to the admission OF California, but 1t was
within the knowledge Of all that this was the gen.
era position Of all the Abotionsts and soilers
of the House. And why were they opposed to the
| admission OF California! Because 1t would have
defeated put end to the agitation of the slave
ry question, and would have taken from them the
! fuel with which they fed the flame Of public ex
element; because they wished the Territories to
stand open, that they might agitate the Wilmot
! proviso in connection with them; and because they
wish to make this political hobby. Why this
new born zeal? 1t is because those in this House
and elsewhere, in favor Of the admission Of Califor
MIA an independent measure, wish TO keep the
| question open for agitation There is probably
another reason for this new born zeal. II may be
that the Senate bill will be passed, not only admit
ting California, but providing governments for the
Territories. 1t is not 30 much that these gentle
in favor of the admission of California, but
because they wish to keep the question open for
sectional agitation and political effect. This was
his understanding OF the subject. IL Is supposed
the Senate bill, making joint provision for the Ter
rtories, is stronger in this House than any other;
hence their desire to take preciptate action, and
| commit the House, in advance, against the mca-
| sure, in the event of its coming here. This il a
| matter of policy with certain gentlemen.
The city was full of rumors that there was eau
Gus, the object of which to devise means for the
| admission of California;; and it was also reported
tgGt #
oppose even the appropriation bills, and make
every thing dependent upon the admission OF Cal
| iorna. They were TO oppose every measure but
California, be the consequence what it might 1t
was reported that the caucus afterwards struck out
the proyso and resolved to oppose every thing, to
the last extremity, until California shall be admit
! ted into the Union. There those who pretend
to be, par eIceence the friends of California They
are concerned in miserable, sectional agitation;
and are in favor of admission because it will the
better secure the object of the agitation. The true
friends OF California are those who not only wish to
admit California, but to provide for the remainder
Of the Territories. After ii shall have been asccr-
| Iaincd that joint measure cannot be secured, it
will then be time to vote on the California bill
| separate measure He secuted the idea that they
only the friends Of California who are in favor
| of her admission separate measure. A large
majority of the people of illinois in favor OF
compromising the whole question by a common
act. They tired Of the agitation, and desire
that the strife now prevalent shall cease
Mr.. WlLMoT arose to address the committee.
He had not proceeded far, before
Mr.. WILLIAMS called him TO order the
ground of irreevancy. The Military Academy
bill was now before them, and the gentleman was
discussing the question of slavery.
! The CHAIRMAN said that the practice had been,
while in Committee of the Whole the state of the
Union, to permit a wide range of debate. # was
perfectly competent for the gentleman to pro-
coed.
MIR. WILLIAMS appealed from the decision OF
the Chair.
And, the question having been taken, the deci-
sion of the Chair was sustained.
Mr.. WILMOT resumed. He wished to contra.
dict the charge that the friends of California had
resolved to resist all other measures at all hazards.
1t was astonishing to him where those rumors were
picked up-charges 30 unfounded. The friends OF
California did desire speedy action. They began
TO apprehend that the California bill would be lost
and they wished TO give it precedence.
lie believed that the true friends of California de-
| sired this now, because the history of Congress
shows that when the appropriation bills passed
the day OF adjournment has arrived. And some
men, who want to put of the admission Of Califor-
mia, will vote for the adjournment of Congress; and
II u 10 insure action on the measure that Calior
MIA should be postponed longer. From the
newspapers, he had supposed that there was not a
northern man who was not in favor of the ndmis-
sion Of California. Now, il seems have the gem
tlemnnirom Illinois, CHR. McCL.RSAsD,) who is for
hanging " the bill the boundary question, terrific
rial governments, &c, making California carry
additional burdens. lie believed that dignity re-
quirsd that California should be admitted by her
Sell ne DollcNtu demanded Dy the voice
Of the people Of the country After having acquired
and annexed Texas with rush, free State, with
a larger population than Texas, Arkansas, or Lou
siana Is TO be kept out Of the Union, for the only
reason that she has prohibited slavery. To com
plain OF this Is what the gentleman from Illinois
termed miserable excitement"
The excitement could have hccn avoided or set
tied, without disturbance, without leaving any
riOus heart burnings with the southern friends, II
representatives had stood up To public opinion.
Talk about freedom being ''sectionali" Slavery
wac sectional. And against this he struggled for
the PROV Of the ordinance which excludes sla
very lie believed that the interests Of the South
control tho republic and WELD its dcstinies. II
has been represented that these interests involve
sixteen hundred millions Of dollars. He was op-
posed 10 the mOncyed interest, ss scnseeas, heart
Ices, and uniceling; only intent on it's own feelings
and advantages. IA with bank stock 90 with man
uiacturing on the stock Of the South. II heart
lees capital, regardless of the right. Of humanity.
The South demand that the free laborors shall be
driven from the Territories They wish TO mono
police the soil, 10 increase their property, and give
strength TO their power; and those who oppose this,
and advocate the rights Of humanity and free Ia
Dor, are, in the opinion Of the gentleman from li-
nOis, sectional fanatics
| II a man il not in favor Of slavery, he !, de-
nounccd cncmy 10 republican principles.
| Democracy docs not consist in wearing tho collar
Of slavery, and no man il a Democrat who il in
favor Of the institution Of slavery and it's propsga-
ton. IL may be that the gentleman keeps himself
in Office by being i'm the power Of the South. In
his (Mr W.'s) district, the Abolitonists never
poed two hundred votes. j, is part Of tho faith
Of hs constituents, that slavery ought not 10 be
tended over soil which is free They embrace il a,
a portion Of their creed, and will stand up to tho
principle. For this they not 10 be read out o
the Democratic party. The principle Of freedom
cannot be broken down. Slavery il not national
institution The principle Of restricting slavery b,
constitutional which no political organization car
oycrpOwer. lie rcjoccd that he had an agency in
! defeating General Cars. II any man Of the North
who seeks to gain the Presidency shall bow dowr
in savi5h submission 10 the South, he would do al
he could to defeat him. The only remedy was the
r peaceful Of the ballot box which hc would con
d uuuc 90 make use Of
. Mr.. COBB, Of Alabama, understood TO ash
whether the gentleman would vote for any mar
. who owns slaves.
Mr. WlLNOT replied that he would chccrfully
1 vote for any man whose principles were in accord
I ancc with his own, whether he own slaves or not
! Gentlemen who had done him the honor to li.teI
10 him, knew that he had never discussed the mora
Aspect Of the slavery question. II in ito poti
= cal aspect that he had uniformly discussed IL
Aside from all moral connection incident 90 slave
~, he opposed 10 the further extension Of .la
I, very ne political question, because he believed !
. to be wrong and anti republican, and subvcrsive o
the interests Of the republic, that any great inter
Get, money slave, or any thing elsc, should con
troll. This government Of the people, an'
: they have the right to CONTROL according 20 thoi
.l,.Ia. A ind nd