The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-01


gress to admit new States. Her State constita,
ton wasnot formed under and by virtue Of any law o.
the United States We passed resolution stating lhat
upon her presenting constitution here we would admit
her into the Union as new State That constitution
formed by The people OF Texas, who all aliens,
Of them citizen Of the United States at the time
Of its formation was formed qnder the authority OF
her own lawssshe being the time foreign nation |;
and all Congress did when she presented her constitution
was 10 Judge whether il complied with the requisites do
manded by our national constitution,
Now, sir with this precedent oil Texas before us, OF
what consequence il whether the constitution oil Cali
fonia was framed under authority oil Congress OF not
long us IN agreement with the prescribed provisions
OF our constitution Texas had no authority from us to
bold convention, and form constiiutog ana II she
being sovereign State at the time, could make CON
sttuton which received, certainly the people OF Cali
forna, being citizens of the United States, may form
constitution and submit il TO Congress Tor admission INTO
the Union.
But. sir there is another objection made to the admis
sion OF California II is this that she has IN and by her
constitution excluded slayerythat she s as free STATE
Now. sir look upon this as the unkindest cut Of all
Not admit California because she has IN her constitution
prohibited slavery! Why, sir. we all agree as have
stated before that this exclusion be made by the peo
pie Of a Territory when they form constitution for
themselves The ground heretofore taken by the
not be excluded by act Of Congress, nor BY the
people Of Territory. yet that The people IN form
ing State. constitution have the. updoubied right
to exclude it, bringing the question again before
Congress, to be settled in the formation OF q ter
rtorial government for that country. Now, ask
eH s have Az oss sa of as
tories, why do you wish to refuse California admission
The people OF California, understanding the matter,
have settled the question Of slavery for themselves Pr
the constitution OF Californathe question OF slavery or
no slavery in California will be again thrown into Con
gress be seMled heres and the question oil slavery al
once up upon the organization Of territorial gov,
a s," roS s he people people California who you say
have the right to settle and bring il here into Congress
where you say have no right to settle it. Do sena.
tors desire such result this' thank the people Of
California for settling this question: and thus relieving
Congress and the country OF so vexatous subject "
But, Mr.. President, is it not apparent that. after all
this question between U.S. whether another free State
at this time shall be admitted into the Union? And the
real objection to the admission OF California is that
will make majority Of free States in the Senate This
sir has been advanced The honorable senator from
Mississippi, in the debate the other day, called upon the
said will you admit these two SENATOR'S and thus give
majority to the free States against the slave States
Now, sir settle this question upon any consld
Grafton Of this kind ls California to be kept out OF the
Union until another slave State is ready TO come II
alongside Of her? Is 10 be race between the slave
States and the free States Of this Unions II So SIR the
race is already. California is already at the goal
and other Territories are rapidly approaching II
They viii soon be filled up by the reenen OF this coun
try, who will control their destiny. They will be settled
so speedily that it will be impossible Tor you 70 dlTec
the course which the inhabitants OF these Territories vii
spontaneously take in relation to their domestic nsttu
/ tons.
pete with the free population which, like mighty tor
rent is now rushing westward do not state this TO
the purpose of b0astng OF the superior enterprise OF tn
free States over the slave States state the fact the
torious fact that the emigration Of the free population
this country into our Territories outruns and out
numbers the emigration from the slave States. who wal
to carry with them the cumbrous institutions oil slavery
Free men, with free labor, will take possession o
\ these Territories; and they will come here and de
mand OF US to be admitted into the Union, unde
such constitution they may adopt for themselves
i Why, sir, look at California. Was not Caltornl
as much open to the population OF the slave State
as she was TO the population OF the free States Ha
not the people OF the southern States the opportu
nifty of settling California and controlling her destin
as the people of the northern States Yes, sir, the
had the additional advantage OF shorter and more direc
mode OF communication with that country. But, sir
what has been the result California presented gode
prize something TO call out the bold and advenurou
spirit OF our people. And young men from ever,
part OF this confederacy, South and North, forsakns
home kindred and friends and leaving far behind then
the institution OF slavery and all such local matters
rushed to the shores OF the Pacific settled California, an
formed government for themselves. And while w
were dispung here the question whether slavery shou
60 there not, California occupied by people VIII
prefer free labor TO the institution OF slavery The fac
was that slavery rather 10 slow team to compete
such active enterprise as this. In the settlement
the question OF slavery by the people OF California thu
slave States fully represented. will now proceed
/ 10 show the fact
Without concluding, Mr.. MILLER gave way for a mo
ton TO adjourn.l