The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-07

lucky hirlseif would not support proposition 10
repeal the local laws, nor would any gentleman
from the North. The distn gushed Senator from
Michigan would not thus tar, to open the door
TO the extension of slavery though he is willing to
maintain the status IA quo OF this territory.
Mr.. CAss. II the Senator will allow me, will
state that aad Congress had no power over the
subject at ALL either to introduce to restrict it.
Mr.. BELL. do not mean 10 do the honorable
Senator any injustice. His principles upon this
point are well understood. only meant to state
the fact that he would repeal the local
laws on the subject of slavery. The bill not only
does not provide for the removal of the distractions
OF the local law, but ii contains positive prohibit
tion against any legislation by the Territorial legs
!ature on the subject; and this is the concession
made TO the South as an equivalent Tor the imme
diato admission of California a free State, and
the concatory Offering TO the feelings and claims
OF the South, which, it is said, are necessary to
avoid those irregular proceedings In the House OF
Representatives, which, however much to be re-
GREETED, it lis feared will to prevent the ad
mission of California a separate measure.
Mr.. CLAY. Will the Senator allow to inter
rupt him one moment for explanation
Mr.. BELL Certainly.
MIR. CLAY. So far from this clause prohibiting
the local Territorial legislature from passing any
law to establish or prohibit slavery being regarded
by me as an equivalent, have been opposed to it.
opposed to it in the committee; and the Sen
ator well knows that it was pressed upon us by
southern votes; and with regard to the clause itsef
was surprised to find it pressed upon the Senate
from that quarter. But the Senator is mistaken if
portance equivalent to the South. never
did attach any such idea TO it. The equivalents to
the South to be found in the first place, in the
forbearanoe Of Congress to exercise any power
the subject Of savery iorbearance to enforce the
Wilinot proviso in the Territories; and the advan
tagcs resulting to the South from the settlement Of
the question of the Texan boundary, giving to the
South indisputably nine hundred miles that
river, and leaving the whole subject of the Terri
tories open the subject of slavery, and to be de-
cidcd when the States shall come to act for them
selves These are the equivalents to the South and
not that clause, although it the votes of south
members OF the committee that placed it in the
bill.
Mr.. BELL. i remember that the Senator from
Kentucky was not in favor OF that clause OF the bill
did not mean to do him any injustice, nor did |
mean to lay much stress upon the clause pro-
hibiung legislation upon the subject of slavery by
the Territorial legislature he iInagines did
But did mean to say that the clause establishn g
territorial government for New Mexico, as it
stands, is the equivalent which gentlemen have re.
lied upon the concession to the South, which is
TO prevent any extraordinary mode of opposition
in the House to the admission of California, and to
restore general harmony. The cesson to Texas of
the territory between the Nueces and New Mexico,
proposed in this BILL do not think has entered in
any degree into the estimate of its value by south
| ern gentlemen; for the general opinion IN the
South is, that Texas is entted TO all the country
OF the Rio Grande from its mouth TO its source;
and the proposed cesson by Texas to New Mexico
of any portion of the territory she claims, is one of
the strongest objections TO this which is
| felt at the South. IL is looked upon surren-
dering territory which is now slave territory,
which, If the ces5lon is made, will in all pro-
liability become free territory. The forbearance
of the North to apply the Wimot proviso-a pro-
position justly obnoxious to, and giving rise
| 10 SO much excitement at the South--is conces-
sion TO southern feeling which would not seek TO
depreciato; but IT only be regarded, under all
\ the circumstances of the case, Il mere net oi
grace, extended without the surrender of any of the
| principles and policy of the North, and by those
who maintain that all the objects of the proviso
as well accomplished by the obsruc tions the ad-
mission Of slavery which already exist in New
! Mexico, and which left uudisturbed by the
provisions of this bill This courtesy, together with
the clause Of the bill prohibiting any interpositon
by the Territorial Legislature with the subject OF
slavery, and leaving the question TO be decided by
the judicial tribunals constitutes the only equiva-
lent offered to the South for the admission Of Cali
/ iornia. When gave way 10 the explanation OF
! the Senator from Kentucky ! was proceeding to
show it's true value. II is not the equivalent
would have had if | had the power 10 control this
subject or il could have directed the course of the
leading members of this body. Besides the settle
aent Of all the questions connected with Texas
would have adopted the spirit of the Missouri COM
promise line, and set apart some portion oi these
Territories into which the STAKEHOLDER might safely
20 with his property. This would have considered
| a substantal concession to the South "a real com
promise. ! have already spoken of the struggle II
| would have cost 10 carry such measure, and the
storm that would have ragged for while; but was
willing TO encounter 1T, with the prospect OF a
speedy and permanent quiet ahead.
| Sir, beg leave to say that in thus pressing tho
argument that there Is substantial concession to
the South in the provisions Of this bill must not be
understood as placing a stumbling block in my
! own way, in that of any other gentleman who
may be disposed 10 support the bill. Not believing
that slavery will be likely, under any circum-
stances, 10 be established in New Mexico, feel but
little about the provisions Of this BILL
cept 50 far they may fall short Of the demands
and expectations Of the citizens of the South gene
rally and may therefore fail 10 give quiet in that
quarter. My purpose is to show the true value OF
the equivalent thus proposed a peace-offl ring to
the South for the admission of California
Suppose sir, that the court should decide that the
Constitution suporsedes the local laws prohibiting
slavery upon the transfer OF sovereignty TO the Uni
sed States what security has the South that the
jority in Congress will not put their veto upon any
laws of the Territory which may be passed to give
that vitality TO the principles of the Constitution,
and security 10 the property in elaves, which the
eloquent Senator from louisiana, (Alr SoULE,) has
shown 10 be necessary. None whatever. But there
is still more important point to which desire Il
call the attention of the Senate Suppose that, con
| trary TO all existing circumstances and prosump-
tons this bill having passed, slavery should be in
| troduced into New Mexico, and after the lapse o.
years when the inhabitants shall be authorized tC
form State constitution, and slavery should b,
recognised by its provisions, what security has the
South that, with such constitution, New Mexico
will ever be admitted into the Union a Statc
None at all; unless the anti i-slavcry sentiment al
the North shall undergo a decided change,
Mr.. BADGER lii expressly provided that States
shall be admitted with without slavery, the
people Of those Territories, when they are in po-
stion 10 be admitted as States, shall determine.
Mr.. BELL. That is true; but my friend from
North Carolina should remember that one Con.
gress cannot bind succeeding Congress upon suci
| a question.
DIR. BADGER. Not the Congress was composed
of bighminded, honorable men, understanding tha
THE was compact compromise?
MIR. BELL. My friend from North Carolina ha,
forgotten that when that provision of the bill wa,
offered as an amendment, he admitted that il wal
not obligatory upon future Congresses, but con
tended that its adoption would have a salutary ten
dency in calming the excitement Of the South. I
this provision we're placed upon the ground of q
compact with Texas, in consideration OF ccssior
Of territory by that State then it would be obligato
ry and might be relied upon.
Mr. BADeER. said that this should have no in
fluence in inducing them to oppose it; but that i
would have influence in that sense of honor anC
integrity which rely in most of the transac
tions of life.
Mr.. BELL understood my friend precisely IL
that way before; and understand him now mo-
denying that there is no absolute obligatory fore,
in this provision Of the bill
Mr.. BApGER. Certainly.
Mr.. BELL. As the provision stands il pos
sesscs positive force or obligation But "a th,