The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-24
CITY OF WASHINGTON. FRIDAY MORNING MAY "a, 1850.

4
sell against the measure that the people OF that dis
tant region would be thus allowed in their own goo,
discretion. In this view Of the subject decided,
opposed BY my southern friends here, and dessted
Not entirely discouraged, urged the honorable senate
II 0@ M asi u s the m IN
admission Of California which he will be recollected to
have done, and which he would have done for aught
been made This measure was opposed most strenuousy
both from the North and the South, and ultimately
failed
WE'LL sir, not yet entirely discouraged, and still de.
sirous Of seeing California brought into the Union
Slatea which could not help ioreseeing could
not be long postponed at any rate resolved 70 make an
attempt to connect the measure OF admission, possible
with proposition to establish territorial governments
New Mexico and Deseret and another orthe establishment
Of new State in Texas east of the Colorado Basos
equilibrium in our system and, being particularly dc.
srous for obvious reasons that this scheme OF rater
nal settlement should originate with southern men.
upon him that he should himself bring forward this
scheme of adjustment being exceedingly desirous that
he should secure 70 himself that increase Of personal
popularity and political nfdence which confidently be-
ieved would accrue to him the originator and chief
patron OF this great measure. Unfortunately for the
South and Tor the country. as ! shall always think,
to the admission OF California, and not only declined
moving in the matter HIMSELF but earnestly per-
suaded me to desist from all action, until we could
meet and confer upon the subject, on our meeting in
Washington at the commencement OF the then approach
ing session Of Congress friend Of my own. and de-
voted friend Of Il Mr. Calhoun, now present tMr John
Barbour, OF Virginia,) saw Mr.. CahOuns letter. in
which he declined taking the course which | had thus
solicited him TO take; and he will be ready to attest at
any time, the deep modification which felt at Mr., CAL
houns refusal to pursue which confidently be-
lieved would secure to him the glory OF being recog
nsed, in all coming tme as the PAcIFIcAToR OF the
republic.
Thus disappointed, renewed my efforts during the first
days Of the present Congress 10 employ the measure OF
Californian admission the chief element OF plan of
compromise which as then hoped. 10 the South
and the Union. But. confess among southern members
OF Congress, met with much encouragement that,
being unwilling to do anything to divide the South in her
then exposed and mperled condition, relinqushed the
gle measure such the bill before US, accom-
psh that great work OF adjustment which we at last
almost consummated Then i was that, after resisting
the resolutions introduced by the honorable senator from
Kenucky7which then thought, and still think, how
well intended, as doubtless they were were dec
dedy unjust to the South in several particulars then
specified resolved, consultation with several sage
friends, to move the raising OF special committee, Tor
the purpose OF maturing some such scheme OF adjustment
as the bill now before u.s. the great outlines Of which
have been perfectly familiar TO all intelligent minds in
every part Of the republic for than three months past
Meanwhile, we have had TO pass through slrug
ge IN order 20 rase me special committee and 70 keep
state OF conjunction, with view to securing the more
certain attainment Of the great result much to be de-
sired shall not go into particulars in regard to the
just alludedto they before the country, and
will doubtless be properly appreciated At last have
reached almost to the end OF our labors California has
rial bills imbodyng the Wilmot Proviso, have not YET
passed A bill Tor the admission of California
Saie part OF general scheme Of settlement. is be-
ments for New Mexico and Utah, scihout the Wsimo
Prouiso, (a that the South desired this head Twelve
months ago. is before us also as part of the general
sa o s and .w
upon satisfactory principles is also part OF this grea
plan of pachcation An efficient bill for the restoration
Ia l. nIa n1.A
for adoption in connexion with the other measures just
specified For all these have been laborng, in sub
ordinate capacity. truly, but zeaously actively, and
without ntermssIon from the beginning OF the session
up to the present moments and yet my friend from Ala
bama OF the most shameful changes and in
consistencies Thank Heaven, though, all the evidence
nure to my defence instead OF operating to
my injury Every extract from my speeches which he
has read is in absolute harmony with my present atti-
tude and uniform have been in my language on this
great subject that really almost ashamed Of having
varied little in my phraseology IN the twenty OF thirty
speeches have made in hearing OF the Senate. No ad-
mission oil California, as separate and substantive
scheme-the admission Of California, as part OF gene.
raj scheme OF compromise, embracing The establishment
OF territorial governments wihoW he Witmot Proviso
has been my constant cry, from the first Monday OF as
December TO the very day which IS now passing over
our heads. Indeed my friend from Alabama is perfectly
welcome to press this. bis chief accusation against me
just far and long be peases feel that am alb
soutey against all that he can say upon this sub
ject
But the honorable gentleman alleges again that the
day when introduced my territorial bill here, and spoke
in answer 10 the honorable senator from Missouri who
sits over the way, [Mr. BEsToN,l | asserted that my
hopes Of compromise were then almost extinct And be
that furthermore declared that the offensive reso
lutons which had been then recently adopted in Ver-
mont and several other States OF the Morrill, on the sub
ject OF Slavery should prevent any southern member o
Congress from bringing forward proposition OF compro
mise and that the first compromise proposition should
from the North This is all true but yet 1t is
true that have been guilty. charged of the nconsist
A., rJa m
compromise under circumstances not at all changed II
is not true that have introduced any plan OF com
promise at all My answer to all this will be equally
ehectual anything which | have yet said. In
the fret place, have simply proposed special com
mittee for conference and consultation l was not
as the honorable member well knows, even a mem.
Der OF the Committee ot Thirteen, by whom this excel
the second place, have TO say that my hopes o event
ua compromise, nearly extinct at the period refer
red TO by the honorable senator, afterwards
greatly revived by the noble conciatory speech deliver
ed here by the honorable senator from Massachusetts,
who sits nearest me, lMr WEBsTER,1 and who, though
perhaps making no declaration which was absolutely
new. going further in any material respect than
gone in acknowledgment OF southern rights yet presented
such tout ensemble OF equitable propositions OF various
kinds portrayed in his graphic and imposing
nersuch comprehensive and practical plan OF pacfca-
ton and settlement, and appealed powerfully to the
conscences OF northern brethren, and their love oil
country, that veniured TO that there south
ern who either heard him, who read his speech
hope had been supplied and that the door Of
had been AT last opened in most formal manner by the
hand OF northern man, whose peculiar attitude in the
country such 10 enable him to do all for the