The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-05
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH On MIR. EWING.
nu rrurDos..


On the Admison Of Caif fornia delivered IN he House
ofRspTeseataiiUes, Aprd IS, 1850.
The House being in Committee Of The Whole (Mr.
Rcaaansos o. sS,s M y ,.s sha On the Presidents
Mr. CHAIRMAN: have watched the progress OF this
debate with anxiety proportioned 10 the magnitude OF
the interests involved, feeling, from the commencement
thai the harmony and permanent prosperity of the repub
hc depended mainly upon the immediate and peaceful
adjustment Of our sectional disputes This interest has
risen superior In my mind TO every partisan aim and OBJ
iect b
For the first two months OF our session. il seemed
il we were upon sea OF troubles, without star COM
pass to guide our course Beginning session with
series 81 warmly contested and somewhat sectional eec
tons. cnmnation was followed BY recrmination, aud
threats BY until the spirit Of Dscord evoked l
ring the Storm seemed likely 70 reign forever IN our
councils Happily for ourselves. for our country, and
the world this chaos OF strife and confusion has
uraby cleared away and we are enabled At last e see
the shore, if our vessel shall regain its ong
More kindly influences have arisen and those oilers OF
concation and compromise which were proudly spurned
in the outset now patiently heard and dispassonately
considered We have some practical propositions at
length offered, which are before the committee II
will be impossible, within the compass Of single hour,
10 discuss all the questions in regard TO slavery; nor
would deem it proper, under different regulations,
mnge all these subjects together and thus greatly
ard not absolutely prevent, any favorable adjustment
oil the particular issues before We have under con-
sideraon bills for the admission Of California State,
the erection OF territorial governments an the districts OF
Utah and New Mexico, and the final location Of The
boundaries Of Texas These three subjects naturally
conect themselves together; or il arranging the limits
Of California you define to extent the boundary Of
the other Territory and in the creation OF territorial
ernAnents for Utah and New Mexico you necessarily
prescribe the Of country under the govern
nent of Texas This connexion of destiny and interest,"
arising from geographical relation, is not more deter
inmate than the moral and political reasons which should
induce us to connect their fate in one general bill.
The vast extent Of Texas the Indebtedness Of its State
government. the esessness OF the people Of New Mex
Ico under her dominion the extensive and hiny ype0pcd
wastes Of Utah and New Mexico, yet ready for nde
pendent soveregnlies, but deeply in need o territorial
glory and population Of California, demanding mmedi-
atey State government all seem il they were ele-
ents placed in hands by Providence, ready to be
apty Joined together in harmonious WHOLE for their
proper advancement and the tranquility OF the re-
pabllc; -.
two plans have been presented to the House. The first
one familiary known as that Of the President, conem
plates the immediate admission of California, with no
further action TO The Territories until they are ready
to claim admission States OF the Union. The second
plan proposes the immediate admission OF California the
creation of territorial governments in Utah and New
Mexico, without restriction 10 slavery, and the ac-
knowledgment OF the boundaries OF Texas with mon
eyed compensation for her cession o reasonable por
lion OF her territory to the United States.
There my opinion, insuperable objections to the
first oil these two systems foremost among which is the
great act that does accomplish main object Of
its existence, which is the satisfactory peaceful, and ar
naonious adjustment OF the subiectmatter. No plan
which does measurably satisfy the expectation OF the
of the people in all sections OF the Union can
be be regarded national and staesman-ke in its
character. As evidence of the fact that this system Is
regarded satisfactory TO the especially OF the
southern people, il is only necessary TO recur TO the as
founding and conclusive TACT that, although there are
large number OF southern whig representatives in this
Honse and the Senate, yetnot one has venured full
with the President this subject; and very
many OF the abest and most patriotic OF them, whilst
admitng as do the honesty and patriotism o. General
The southern people, too, throughout the length and
breadth of our land have read and understood the merits
Of The proposed plan b.; glad has yet Pss
has followed the proclamation, rolling up from our hills
and valleys the hearty approval OF our ctzens; but
naton or that cod chilling silence which equally ndi-
Gates the sorrow and disapproval OF the auditory.
true, Mr.. Chairman, that the feeling OF the South
is alone 10 be consulted in the settlement this mat
ter; but her sanction is necessary cemept in any
promise that nsures the safety OF our lnsitutons and
therefore, however just or comprehensive any arrange
might otherwise be deemed, il il does not give her
reasonable satisfaction, has utterly failed Of onehalf
OF its object.
The refusal Of any civil government TO the people resi-
dent in the Territories OF Utah and New Mexico, until
they are ready 10 form State governments, another
elusive objection TO the policy oi The President We
have table petitions from the citizens OF these
Territories representing 10 glowing language, their sui
erings from the Of governor courts OF justice an
organized militia and the other attendant benefits arising
from we-regulated system of government They are
scattered over widely extended face of country,
rounded by hostile tribes OF Indians presided by
military governor, and wholly unable 10 combine io'
their own protection. the better regulation OF theii
uOmeSuc concerns. tHcl are ilus lcit W
in hopeless contest with the difficulties of their siiua
ton il will not only be cruel to them, but an open viola
ton OF treaty stpuations with Mexico Tor Their dc
fence and protection AS citizens Of the Union.
II is true, as stated BY the gentleman from New YORK
lAr DUER,l that we might pass bill during the pcseh
OF Congress authorizing the formation OF State
governments for these new Territories, and their admis
sion into the Union as they should have compile
ted the preparatory requisites for such incorporation
But sir this proceeding would require at least two years
for It's final pIeton. during all which time they would
he heipless who that even
then they would have the requisite population for ad
mssion that their local or pecunafy situation would
enable them to assemble at any convenient place fol
legislation, or bear the heavy expenses incident to al
State governmental I'LL
II is passing strange that those who are daily urging
the immediate and unconditional admission oil California
on account OF the Justice OF her claim and the unproec
ed situation o her Citizens, never 10 have REJECTED
that Just in proportion 10 the greater poverty and weak
ness Of the other Territories. they are perperang nor,
serious Injustice towards them, by refusing them oil civl
ADMINISTRATION uniil they have strength and power (
protect themselves In albthe other relations oil me
has been generally understood that IN proportion 70 ins
weakness OF the persons under yonr guardianship hs
greater was the necessity for covering mem WIN 'n'
shield OF projection But here the rule - songht 70 bs
reversed California is surrounded on her interior SIDE
by the inhospitaHle mountains oil the Sierra NEVADA
which cover her from the depredstons o hostile inuans
whilst her Pacific is literally crowded win tne
hundred thousand hatdy emgraDs who are 10 search q
Utah and New Mexico, on the other side Of the
mountains, open TO all incursions, poor and biny
peoped and yet they are TO be neglected, and CALIFORNIA
protectedf
The refusal of territorial governments TO Utah and
New Mexico is subject to another serious difficulty, m