The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-29

The entire responsibility with all its weight, rests
on this House. We have il in our power to give
peace TO the country, TO withhold peace 10 tn
country For himself, he would do his part, at
every honorable cost, towards producing result SD
desirable. The question comes before us on several
propositions, but they are all IN SONG sense con
nected, and may be said 10 grow out Of the annex
alton of Texas. He was willing TO act on them
separately in good faith. The first in dignity and
importance was the bill for the settlement of the
Texas boundary; and he then proceeded to argue
that the title to the imits claimed by her, had
been indicated and enforced by the United States
Government, which cannot now question the title
Why is it, he asked that gentlemen arc unwilling
10 admit the claim of Texas? They say, becausel II
takes part Of New Mexico. But it does not touch
New Mexico. He held in his hand a map to prove
this assertion. Ii was brought to tins city by an
intelligent officer from the palace OF Mexico lie
repeated, by looking at II, IT would be found that
the boundary proposed in the bill now before the
House does not touch New Mexico. He meant to
say that it could nowhere be found that Texas
stretcbed over that soil. He should vote to give
ten millions of dollars to Texas; and he believed
that the boundary proposed is the best che can
have. He would give her the money TO pay her
debts. Whatever may be the opinions OF others,
lie regarded this as question which should be set
tled-it due to the peace of the Government and
the perpetuation Of our republican institutions. lie
trusted that while we shall legisate for Texas, she
will not listen to the counsels of men who advise
her to take up arms against the United States; and
that the other hand, violence will be resorted
to by the Government. He believed that terrific
rial governments ought to be established for the
Territories acquired by the treaties with Mexico.
He would vote for governments based on the prn-
ciples OF American law, instead OF Mexican law
Show the southern people that you intend to do
them justice. Adopt the Wilmot proviso and you
shake the country from its circumference to its
centre.
There are some who think that this Government
is q failure. However, it is to- day the noblest
structure the world looks upon, and does more to
secure the liberty of mankind than all other sys-
TENS He would ask whether any were prepared
to tear it to pieces. 1t combines all the valuable
principles ever known He believed that the Gen
cral Government possesses the power to lcgislate
for the Territories. He did not hold the doctrine
Of non intervention; and thought that the Govern
ment should interpose to protect the rights and
property of the citizens of the Union. II there was
any scheme to ovcrturn the Government, 1t was
unknown to him. He asked gentlemen to do JUS
tice to the southern people, and to do all in their
power to maintain the Government IN its integrity,
and TO restore peace and quiet to the country II
gentlemen make up their minds that this Govern
ment is a failure, and draw portions of the people
into measures which may threaten, or result IN Its
overthrow, he would tell them that retribution
too heavy to be borne would come upon them If
we pass these measures while they are IN our
power, we give peace to the country. He could
sec no hope beyond our present system OF Govern
ment and should endeavor to maintain it in its
true spirit. II you break it down, you cannot re-
construct it, and intestine war will be the
quence. Break it down, and the hope OF mankind
is gone. Put out the light which now illumines
the world, and know not where is the Promo
thean spark which can its light relume!
Mr.. McCLERNAND understood the gentleman
from Alabama Mr.. INGE) to mean TO test the
strength of the bill by vote of the House
Mr.. INGE did not wish TO express the opinion
that this is to be test vote He had said that he
desired to subject the bill to the test prescribed by
the one hundred and sixteenth rule.
Mr. McCLERNAND remarked that if that was
the test VOTE he prepared to meet it. He was
opposed to debate now, because debate would not
be followed by any practical results. The bill can
not, in its present position, be amended.
MIR. WOODWARD understood the proposition OF
the gentleman from Alabama to test nothing but
this: whether the boundary of Texas to the Rio
Grande should be made question of matter. They
who sustain the proposition vote that the boundary
is not question OF matter. He would vote for 1t,
simply because he not willing to make ques
ton where the United States have no right, honor
ably, to make question on this subject.
Mr.. ING + said that there seemed TO be some mis-
apprehension; and he would make few remarks,
(Mr. McCLERNANp yielding the fioor.) He knew
that many gentlemen, those who usually act with
him, not willing TO admit that the boundary of
Texas is disputed question, or an open question.
The arguments which had been made seem to con-
cede that there is question for the Government to
settle. The controversy has been, what depart
ment shall settle il; and whether 1t shall be settled
by the Executive or the Judiciary. They who sus-
the views of the late message of the President
are placed in the position that the Executive shall
settle it. The western boundary of Texas
Mr.. VAN DYKE rose to question OF order, and
expressed tue nope tIdt tie gcHtciuhu "ouiu stato
his position, and not argue the question.
The SPEAKER said that if any objection was
made, the gentleman from Alabama could not pro-
coed
Mr. INGE took his seat, and
Mr.. McCLERNAND resumed the floor. He re-
peated that debate ought TO take place on the third
reading of the bill, and not now.
gentleman appealed to Mr.. lSoE to withdraw
his objection.
MrINGE replied that he could not if he would.
MIR. McCLERNAND moved the previous ques-
ton
TheSPEAKER, in reply to a question by Mr.. Rum
said that the demand for the previous question
should be sustained, and the main question ordered
to be put, it would exhaust itself the question,
Shall this bill be rejected? II decided in the arma-
tive the bill is relecfed in the negative the bill goes
TO second reading, and, after this, it is in the same
position as though the question was not entertained
at all.
Mr. INGE What is the precise question:
The SPEAKER Shall the bill be rejected?
Mr. INGE. don't understand il TO be brought
up by any motion.
The SPEAKER The rule says that the first
reading of the bill shall be for information; and il
opposition be made TO it, the question shall be-
'Shall this bill be rejected'' The gentleman from
Alabama objects to it, and this brings up the ques
ton in the form stated.
Mr. CLINGMAN inquired whether if the gen
tleman from Alabama should Withdraw, his o6jec-
ton, the bill could be read a second timer
Mr.. INGE. ! can't withdraw. | made no mo
ton.
bama was the only one who objected, and should
withdraw, and if objection should be made in nc
other quarter, would the bill pass TO second read
ingl
The SPEAKER. No doubt.
Mr.. BISSELL. i object to the withdrawal.
Mr.. JONES said that if the one hundred and six
teenth rule applied TO Senate bills, in the opinion
the Chair, he would call the attention of the Speak
err TO the third clause of the twenty seventh rule
which says how Senate bills shall be disposed of.
The SPEAKER replied that the one hundred
and sixteenth rule was broad, and in his opinion
applied to this The question is, Shall this bill
be rejected
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Arkansas, asked for the yea
and nays, which were ordered.
Mr.. POTTER asked TO be excused from voting
and he supposed he would be permitted to tn,
reasons which induced him TO make the request
but he prevented from doing so.
MIR. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, asked for the yeai
and nays the motion.
Mr. POTTER said that as the yeas and nays hac
been demanded, rather than waste the time of th,
House he would withdraw his motion TO be excused
The question was then taken, "Shall the bill b'
reiected9" and IL was decided in the negative
yeas 81, nays 1853, as follows;
YEAS.-Messrs Averett, Albert g. Brown
Burt, Cable, Campbell, Clark, Colcock, Cole