The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1850-08-09

Ties her from the necessity OF the case to an
exception from ordinary rule. Who expected
to see such great community spring up there
in such an incredible short space Of time!
Who expected to see more than one hundred
thousand people engaged in so much employ
ment,. with so much commerce and activity
and enterprise, and drawing to themselves the
attention of the whole world, within the Pc
riod of few months? Her constitution has
been framed upon Republican models, confor-
maby to the constitution of the United States.
And under these circumstances, still admit
ting that her application is premature and ir-
regular, yet there has been nothingdone which
an admission on our part will not cure She
will be lawfully in the Union. Therefore,
have no hesitation on that ground
Then with respect to the Territories, have
been and am of opinion. that we should not
separate at the end of this session Of Congress
without making suitable provision for their
government. 1t is not safe to let things stand
as they are. Sir, it has been thought that
there might be such a thing as admitting
California, and stopping there. Well, it is
not impossible, in the nature of things, that
such a course OF policy should be adopted,
fit could meet with proper concurrence. But
then have always supposed, sir, that if we
were now acting on California as separate
measure, and should, in the prosecution Of
that measure, admit California into the Un-
ion, the question arises, what then! / have
never supposed that the question respecting
the Territories would be put at rest, even for
the present. ] have supposed that the very
next thing to be done would be to lake up
the subject ofthe Territories and the necessity
of governments in the Territories, and prose-
cute that subject until it should be in some
manner terminated by Congress; and that il
would be the subject still which would occupy
Congress, to the exclusion Of all the ordinary
subjects Of legislation, until it is disposed of.
| am not authorised to say so, for / do not
know the opinions of the honorable members
Of the Committee on Territories. Here sits
near me the honorable member from Illinois,
(Alr. Douglas at the head of that committee;
! take it for granted he can say whether ! am
right or not, that if we should this day admit
California alone, he would tomorrow feel it
his duty TO bring in bills for the government
of the territories, or to make some disposition
of them.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. Does the Senator wish me
to say!
Mr. WEBSTER. Certainly. / should like
to know.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. Mr. President, if California
should be admitted by herself, should certain
ly feel it my duty, as Chairman of the Com
nittee on Territories, to move to take up the
Territorial bills at once, and TO utthem through,
and also the Texas boundary question, and to
settle them in detail if they are not settled in
the aggregate; and | can say that such is the
opinion and determination OF majority Of
that committee.
Mr. WEBSTER. Then, sir, it is asI opposed
we shall not get rid of the subject, even for
the present, by admitting California. Now, sir,
it is not wise to conceal from ourselves our
condition. If we admit California, my honora-
bic friend from Illinois will then bring in bill
for Territorial Governments for New Mexico
and Utah. We must open our eyes to the
state of opinion in the two Houses respectively,
and endeayor to see what would be the effect
of such a bill. If ii be a bill containing the
principle of exclusion we know it could not
pass this House: if it be bill without the prin-
ciple of exclusion, we know what difficulties it
would encounter elsewhere; SO that we very lit
tie relieve ourselves from the embarrassing cir
cumstances of the condition in which we are
by taking up California and acting upon it
alone. am, therefore, sir, decidedly in favor
of passing the bill in the form in which it is.
But, sir, if it be the pleasure of the Senate to
vote upon the motion that it is proposed to
make to the Senate shortly, for laying this
whole measure on the table, and thereby to
dispose of this bill, can only for one say,
that if this measure is defeated by that preceed-
ing, or any other, | hold myself net only inclin-
ed but bound to consider any other measure
that may be proposed, because the case is press
ing, the circumstances of the country are urgent.
When, in this country, have we had any for
eign question. If | may SO say, any exterior
question that has occupied the consultations of
Congress for seven months, like this, and yet
come to no result! When have we had sub
iect before US that has paralyzed all the opera
tions of Government that has displaced all the
regular proceedings of the two Houses of Con-
gress, and has lett US al the end of seven months
of the session without the ordinary annual Ap-
preparation Bills? When have we ever had
before, in the history of this government, such
an occurrence as that? What is now proposed
is to make Territorial Government for New
Mexico and Utah without restriction feel
authorized to assume, from the circumstances
before us, that it is in the power of the gentle
ritorial Governments, without restriction as
provided in this bill, shall be established or not
have voted against restrictions, for reasons
which have already given to the Senate, and
may repeat; but it now lies with Southern gen.
tlemen to say whether this bill, thus providing
for Territorial Governments without restriction,
shall pass or not; and they will decide that
question, doubtless, by reference to what will
happen if they DO not pass it. Now, sir, am
prepared to say that if this measure does not
pass, am ready to go for any proper measure
that can pass and will pass. shall never con-
sent to leave this session of Congress until
some provision is made for New Mexico. Utah
is less important. Let her repose herself on
her salt plains, on the borders other salt lakes,
another year, if it be necessary. A laugh.
But as to New Mexico, situated as she is, with
the controversy on hand which she has with
her more powerful neighbor, Texas, shall
never consent to the adjournment of Congress
till proper provision be made for eyading col
lision and settling the question of the highest
Importance between that Territory and that
State. No, sir. / have the strongest objec-
ton to premature creation of States. / have
stated that objection at large in the Senate, two
years ago The bringing in of small States,
and with a very small number of people, with
an equal representation in the Senate with the
representation from the largest States in the
Union, deranges and disturbs the proper balance
between the Senate and the House of Repre-
sentatiyes in Conuress 1t makes the Senate