The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-19


chair-and resumed the consideration of the Presi-
dents special message the subject of California
and the Territories
Mr.. WILLIAMS, of Tennessee, being entitled to
the floor, gave way for moment to
Mr.. BAfLf, who gave notice that he would, to-
morrow, ask TO go into committee ON the Deficiency
bill.
Mr.. WILLIAMS, of Tennessee, after few pre-
limnary observations, (saying, among other
things, that he did not rise to speak TO Buncombe)
observed that the naked question was SIMPLY that
OF permitting the formation of State government,
and providing territorial governments Tor the
country acquired from Mexico. II the duty of
Congress TO give the people protection, and Terri
torial and State governments must be formed. No
matter whether il was wise or an unwise policy
which produced the acquisition, the question ought
to be adjusted to give peace and quiet to the public
mind.
Two years ago territorial governments were
proposals but slavery, which stalked the halls OF
Congress like Banquo's ghost, prevented the con-
summation of the measure; and, in the language
of Senator, the people were left with other
protection than Colts pistol and the bowie knife.
What was the position assumed by the South two
years ago with regard to slavery restriction? What
did the South demand? According TO the Senator
from South Carolina, (Mr. CALHoUN,) who always
speaks in the name of the South, they demanded
that State governments be formed. There was not
word said about slavery. The feeling of the
South had, however, changed; and now they require
additional guarantees For himself he was for adj
justing the question that basis What is the obec
tlOM mat zen. IaylOr assumed powers not war
ranted by the Constitutions that California asks TO be
admitted as State in am irregular manner, with
out having undergone territorial pupilage9 Sup
pose the ground to be well taken and proven, il il
not the duty of Congress to raise itself equal to the
occasion? Suppose mistakes have been made on
the right hand and on the left and there Is danger
and difficulty III the adjustment Of the question, is
il not the duty of Congress to settle the matters III
dispute? But how has the distinguished Senator
from South Carolina changed! Did he come and
stand on the southern platform which he erected
two years ago? On the contrary, he rushed far in
advance OF any position hitherto assumed by him,
and demanded new guarantees. Does not every
man know that slavery is protected by the Consti-
tuition? II the majority at the North are so large
that they can trampe the Constitution, could not
they run rough shod over an amendment OF that
instrument, He was left to the conclusion, that
dissolution of the Union intiInated as the only
remedy; and for the first time since 1885, the Sen
ator proclaims the world that the slavery agita
ton is not the prime the leading cause of the diff
Guilty.
We have acquired country where slave labor can
not go. If the Constitution cannot protect it, in
other way can il be protected. He remembered
that the Democratic party, and the ''sole organ
the Union, advised that the people should form
State government; and, therefore, he was utterly
at loss to conceive what had produced the change
of views. His colleague Mr.. F. p. STANToN) con-
demncd the President, and thought that he saw In
the correspondence that the President and MIR.
King had betrayed the interests of the South. This
grave charge against one who had risleed his
life for his country. The President, seeing that
Congress had failed to perform their duty sent a
special agent there, and advised the formation of
State government telling the people to come out of
the pistol and bowie knife condition, and saying |
will recommend your admission into the Union. He
knew that Congress could reject California If the
would be benefited thereby. Does any one believe
that if California existed five years territory,
slavery would exist there'
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, made remark
which was inaudibe TO the reporter, to which
Mr.. WILLIAMS replied, that he had dread of
public opinion, here or elsewhere. If no good can
be accomplished by remandng California back to
territorial condition, why not admit her? Do you
want to keep the question open for future agitation
Although entertaining these views, he did not know
that he would vote for the admission Of California.
Fifteen States were now intensely agitated; and it
was the duty OF Congress to adjust the difficulties.
II the question is to be kept open for demagogues,
he would not lend himself TO any such purpose.
He hoped, however, that California will be add
mitted, and territorial governments formed for the
remainder OF the territory, without the insertion OF
views Of Mr.. CALHOUN as being the sentiments of
the southern people. He had believed, and
stil believed, that Congress have power to legis-
late on the question of slavery in the Territories
III they have the power To acquire territory, they
have the power to control it. He wished that he
could believe that they have no such power, for
then he would know that the great slave interests
| OF the South would be protected. Mr.. CALHOUN
4
| WEBSTER stood upon national platform-that OF
\ the entire Union-and had taken position which
| ought 10 imnortalize him. He had thrown his
powerful arm around the Confederacy.
The above are few Of the points only Of the re-
marks Of MIR WILLIAMS, who periodically urged
the importance Of settling the questions at issue in
spirit far above mere party considerations.
Mr.. CASEY, Of Pennsylvania, said that he did
not look on slavery with much adherence as
others who had addressed the committee, neither
did he esteem IL as blessing; but, with Mr.. JEFF
ferson, he considered il great moral and political
evil. He willing 10 leave il where the Consti-
tuition and the laws leave il; he willing 10
leave the course and disgrace" as his colleague
(Mr. sTEvESs) called IL, in the limits TO which il
now confined. He had had nothing to do in
establishing IL where IL is, neither would he have
now exist. The whole difficulty had grown out OF
difference Of view 10 the constitutional power
| on the subject The North contend for the exclu-
sion of slavery from the Territories the South are
against IL. The question Is of reason. Before
addressing himself 10 the constitutional question, he
| said ia the first place that he firmly believed. and
| the fact was established by speeches in Congress
clearly, and beyond shadow Of doubt, that the
statute. the Constitution, and the organic law,
when they were acquired from Mexico; and that
| IL a slave be taken there, be instantly becomes
free that slavery IL local institution, exist
ing only by positive law, and entirely under the
regulation Of the States OF the Union where IL
lists, and Congress has power 10 interfere with IT,
Ina the language OF the Baltimore platform, either "a
abolish or take inoipient steps with that view. But
with regard 10 the Territories, he held different
doctrine. lie believed that Congress have the
power, full and ample power over the subject.
They should all reason the matter and not indulge
in denunciatOns and denominations. You, he said,
believe that il il unconstitutional; believe IL 20 be
constitutional. II the question be determined in
your favor, be IL 10. If in mine, be il We
should all submit. As 10 the admission Of Caifor-
MIA, the gentleman who addressed the committee
this morning bad made the subject 90 plain and
clear with regard 10 the which ought 10 be
pursued, that u was not necessary for him Mr.. C.
% say any thing. But il appeared that the whole
opposition 90 California based the charge
that the President had, ia unauthorized and I'M
warrantsble manner, interfercd with her affairs
Ho would ssk gentlemen IL they did not know, at
the close Of the last Congress, the fourth Of
March, 1919, that California very shortly after the
netting Of this session. would present herself here
for admission into the Union The people Of that
State we're impelcd by necessity and the situation
In which Congress left them. Unsuccessful at
tempis were heretofore made 10 create territorial
government and 70 admit her a State. The
slavery question prevented action.
IL had been said that the President had unwar-
rantably inerfercd in the affairs Of California.
was prepOsterous that the President, STAKEHOLDER
| had employed another man, ct n. King,) slave