The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-22
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
cUsToM-HoUsEs.


Mr.. O'CLOCK, from the Committee on Com
merce, reported two bills for the repair of the old
the erection Of custom houses in Mobile,
Alabama, and Bath, Maine which were commit
ted TO the Committee of the Whole on the state Of
MIR. CONRAD, from the same committee re-
ported a bill to authorize the Postmaster General
to contract for carrying the mails in steamships
between New Orleans and Vera Cruz, and inter
mediate ports; which, after brief debate,
ferred TO the Committee on the Post Office and Post
Roads.
CALIFORNIA.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
Whole the state of the Union, (Mr. BoyD in the
chair, } and resumed the consideration Of the spe-
cial message Of the President transmitting the con-
stituton OF the State Of California.
Mr.. RAYMOND, OF Virginia, said that be had
taken his position. and should maintain il by
his vote, for tn admission of California ono Of
the sovereign States. He had made up his mind
before the assembling Of this Congress He took
his stand before the people, and had seen nothing
10 induce him 10 change that opinion. He had
doubt that his constituents will approve of his
ton We have acquired territory, and il is
duty 10 take Of IT, majority Of the people
Of California bone of bone and flesh OF our
flesh" II the constitution of that State had con-
tanned clause tolerating slavery, instead Of pro-
hbiting il, different State Of things would now
be presented. We would find gentlemen of the
North occupying the position of those who
20 represent the South, and some of his southern
friends would stand where northern gentlemen
lie noticed the remarks OF his colleague, (mr.
SEpDoN,) who had charged that the President had
usurped Legislative functions and exercised arbi-
trary power, because he (the Presidency had
commended TO the Californans the formation Of
State constitution. No doubt the President would
be sustained in the country, and in Virginia, no
matter how special pleading and mystifcation may
be rcsorted 20 by lawyers. This will be Of no avail.
The people can read and comprehend the meaning
Of the Presidents message, which is a plain and
sensible paper. General Taylor had pursued
the proper course in not committing himself in adj
vance; and our main trouble, slavery, caused
by his predecessors pursuing different course.
He had said that he intended to vote for the adj
mission OF California He acknowledged the doc
trine that the people capable ofsef government
and when they form State constitution, they have
the right determine for themselves and regulate
their domestic concerns, and say whether they
will tolerate slavery not in their midst; and he
called on the friends of civil liberty TO sustain him
in this position and he called his friends Of the
North ~ abandon the Wilmot proviso and all
constitutional measures they may have in contem-
plation. They did not believe that they will have
practical effect and neither did he. If they have
the numerical force they ought not 10 pass them
They should do nothing 10 ALLEVIATE the feelings Of
one section from those Of the other and disturb the
general harmony. Let recollect that we all be.
long TO the same great family; and that on this
question should not only avoid things unjust, but
offensive. The fact, that gentlemen have the power,
lie no argument why they should exercise il, except
for the public good. Let take the question IL
is We have slaves In the South and must have
for years TO come Tospeak Of slavery in reproach-
ful terms cannot have beneficial effect IL could
only produce alienation Of feeling and sectional
action Let us stand on the platform of non inter
vcntion and all will be well enough II is plat
/ form on which we all can stand. Leave the people
Of the territories free 20 say whether they will toc-
rate slavery In their midst or not.
This excitement was brought about for party
purpose, and newspaper editors are influenced by
| the wish 10 break down the Administration. And
! be feared that some men desired 10 sec crisis