The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-17
CONGRESSIONAL.
In SENATE. THunspAr. February IA. 1850.


In SEsATE, THURSDAY. February IA, 1850
CALIFORNIA.
The Senate having under consideration the message OF
the President of the United States transmitting The con
sution OF the State OF California and motion to reler
Mr. FO0TE said | must BE- permitted to express the
unbounded astonshment which feel at the course which
has been pursued BY the honorable senator from KEN
lucky upon this occasion That senator weeks ago
took the head inurgng upon this body and the country
ns % q ga s% aseasGs AID
debated most formally anu eloqucny in our hearing for
two days, which resolutions pufponed 10 have in view
Ss ~, a1a q dsSs ,he .ns., y q az ss
the preamble TO his resolutions, in so many words, de-
declared that i was desirable for the peace. harmony
and concord Of the Union OF these States 10 settle and
adjust amcably az existing questions Of controversy be-
tween them, arising out Of the institution OF slavery,
upon air eqnitable and Just bass; and, in accord
with this general declaaton the resolutions which
succeeded the preamble Of the honorable gentleman were
drawn to the toe ground OF controversy un
derstood 20 be occupied by the pro-savery aud anti.
slavery dspuiants Of the country including the PROPOSE
ton 10 admit California, with "suitable limits" into the
Union @
The speech and conversations OF the honorable senator
were understood, as believe, by us al-ceriainy SO
understood hemas contemplating the provision OF some
plan for the complete and permanent settlement Of all The
questions arising out Of the institution Of slavery and
assuredly the honorable senator has been understood
by the newspapers OF the country TO have declared him
self opposed to the adoption of any partial limited
measure of settlement whatever opposed set,
tement which, whilst adjusting one of the points
in controversy would still leave others open and nnad
usted, from the agitation of which fresh excitement
might spring Up and the dangers which now 50 earfuy
menance the Union be kept in active existence He was
even specially commended in the columns OF the Union
Of this city "a paper not much IN The habit Of commend
of adjustment The speech o the honorable senator is
before me, and will read from it extract two,
which think all will admit to be Of the character which
have attributed to it. The honorable SENATOR in this
"a hp nari in
which The republic is involved ut this period Of his
tory and after describing to us in manner quite solemn
made Tor executing the task which was then in process
OF execution, says:
81 have cut myself off from all the usual enjoyments
my own chamSer and from le beginning q the sess ION
up this time, thoughts hve been anxionsy directed
odaion, which should once more the
blessings Of concord, harmony and peace 70 this gieat
country"
Alter few intervening sentences. entirely according
with those already ced the honorable senator says:
when came TO conder this subject, there or
= The ons 70 wa e 10 s M %
eonrocesd questions grocng out o fhe subject ~ avey
aaeston and lei, other Disturbing unsdjas.e i
seemed be dong but ite Il we stopped one leak
proaaens danger. If noi destruction ohe vessel there
fore rncd my attention TO every snbect connected with
questions have sprung up to ftwere possible or pac
t,cable 10 accommodate and adjust the ichos of Aem
10 endeavor 70 frame sa scheme as thai
rsi Of the classes Of States into waich eosnry
sg sssss divided '''-d make sacrifice q any great ''"
Again. the honorable senator says
1T appeared me, then, that II any arrangement any
auesons between the two classes OF ,a:es that adjust
that arrangement, could only be successful e
not ofpriacipe~nos Of at aIbat Of feeling Of
ihenl."
Suchis the language Of the honorable senator from
Kentucky in this speech-which was the iruit OF much
meditation and severe preparation, and which has been
published and circulated BY thousands and tens Of thou
sands all over the republic. Who could have OWNED
that in aiew short days, the honorable senator from Ken
lucky would undergo such astonishing change in all
his views upon this important subject as most maniiesy
proposition is now before us to refer to the Com
miiiee Territories the Presidents message and
panyng documents documents are the State con-
stituhon of California together with the credentials oil
the senators elect This respectable Committee Ter
rorles is well known to be constituted that the pro-
posed reference be made, we shall inalliby have bill
reported 10 u.s. without the least delay, the admission
Of California State, and the consequent ntroduc-
lion Of her senators upon this floor, and OF her repre-
sentatives into the other House, and we lind the honor
able senator from kentucky supporting this proposition,
and supporting H. too, in language Indicative oil his will
ngness nj 10 aid IN coisnmmaing this act oil admis
sion, separate and substantive measurenot as par
OF general plan of compromise and adlustment-tof
which should not complan)-but, repeat as separate
aud distinct measure, TO 60 into effect whilst all the other
questions growing out OF the institution oil slavery remain
wholly unadjusted, and before any general scheme OF
compromise has been agreed upoa either house OF Con-
gress. All must perceive that the admission OF Cali
lorna in the hasy and objectionable mode now proposed
will necessarily have the eject OF strengthening The Norh
at the expense of the Sout-of multiplying the number OF
in both houses OF Congress adverse to the South
upon all the pending questions involved in the subject OF
slavery; at least appearances such that we cannot
but believe that this would be the result OF immediate ad
missions and yet the honorable from Kentucky
declares himself in favor Of such admission. Nom
tot hat he hat nj al
mission OF California should stand by usef and should
stand unconneced with the other subjects Of his resou
lions" Yes, sir aud he urges that should " decide,
and decide as promptly as we can, this grave question
of admission. fr8W eatfA #4f
The honorable senator is perfectly willing that this
subject should be referred the Committee on lerrlo-
res because he says, M 90 there he has no doubt ii
whatever viii sccur in consummating this perllous
scheme. Let me respectfully PROFOUND TO the honorable
senator one two inierogaores Cen he believe that
il jusf to the SOUTH sale for the Unon OF these
States or seesny in ITSELF or consistent with his own
former declarations already cited BY me, thus to precpi
tate action upon the question OF admssIon Is his pres
ent conduct in accordance with his solemn avowal, when
he first debated this matter in the Senate that he deemed
il desirable to accomplish "he settlement OF all the con-
oyer,ed questions arising out Of the subject Of slavery
by means OF some plan which should once more restore
the blessings Of concord harmony, and peace to this great
country Does he yet think, as he some tine ago
thought that il is doing vey little II we settle one ques-
ton and leave the other disturbing questions
Does he vet think that m would be doing but little II we
stop leak only il the ship Of Sate and leave other
leaks tapabe OF producing DANGER not destruction 70 the
vessel r. Is he still OF opInon, he formerly avowed nun
self 10 be- thai iii any arrangement any satisfactory ad
ko .r th~ arfodQ