The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-18

The question was taken on MIR. Hales motion,
which was lost-yeas %, nays 81.
MIR. Clay, to prevent misnpprehension, would
move TO amend the amendment, as follows:
Prorided, That nothing In this reference shall
be construed to assert or imply the existence Of
any power whatever in Congress for the abolition
OF slavery within the States, nor the suppression
OF the slave trade between the States, nor that
Congress ought to abolish slavery within the
forts, arsenals dock yards, and navy yards Of the
United States, nor that Congress ought to abolish
slavery within the District Of Columbia"
Mr.. Clay asked Mr.. Benton whether he would
accept his amendment.
The Vice President Is the Senator from Mis-
souri, understood to accept the amendment Of the
Senator from Kentucky
Mr.. Benton. Why, all this comes suddenly up
on me. IL is not so strong as my own.
Mr.. Davis Of Massachusetts,. | should like for
one TO have, AS matter Of information, these
propositions printed on our tables.
Mr.. Benton. This debate to-day has been con-
Quoted in a way pleasant to my feelings, and
doubt not to the feelings Of the Senate Agtating,
exciting, and dstracting is this subject, yet we
are acting upon it like calm and deliberate SEN
ate, and | am willing to go home and sleep upon
it, and come back tomorrow and finish it up har-
moniously and understandingly to oil. lntelligi-
biliy and harmony, that is all wish.
MIR. Foote There are, no doubt, several Sena-
tors who are DESTROYS Of postponing and avoiding
action
Some commotion took place motion to adjourn
was lost.
The Vice President. The question is on the
amendment of the Senator from Kentucky; or, is
the Senator from Missouri understood to acceptof
that amendment
MIR. Benton. Tes,sir It's not 50 strungas my
own, yet will accept OF it. | am for harmony
aud compromise r.
Mr.. Clay All Very we'll
Mr.. Upham. | ask that the vote may be taken
on each proposition separately.
Mr.. Benton. ask for the yeas and nays
Mr. Chase. The question now is understood
to be on the amendment Of the Senator from Ken
lucky A great variety of amendments have been
proposed here, upon which we are required to
vote Seriatm altogether, for the purpose of CON-
polling deliberate expression of this body at this
time, and under these circumstances. Now ap-
prehend that the value of an expression thus OBJ
tanned is vastly overrsted | have said already,
that do not believe Congress has the constitu-
tional power to egislate on the subject Of slavery
in the States | hold that opinion but, if this
question is forced now, shall vote against every
one of these propositions Why force it now Why
force a question here which can turn out in no
profitable result-which can give no satisfaction
or information 10 the country-which will benefit
:
esipion Of the Senate is concerned is perfectly
worthless five to meet these questions let US
debate them, and debate them fully. Let US not
pass alf at once; and in hurry, upon qaessio&s
of this magnitude. IL seems to me every Senator
must now be convinced that this mode OF proceed
ing can result in no practical good Upon every
practical question every Senator lapprehend is
ready to vote, and give his yea or nay where it
will count. But we now have no practical ques-
z. 4. -
We persist in the course which seems to have been
marked out the result will be only delay and con-
fusion. And, after all, tomorrow we shall have
the California bill before us, and thus nothing is
| gained by anybody except the excitement and
difficulty of to-day. | move to lay this whole sub
| ect on the table.
lie withdrew it at the request of Mr. Mangum,
who now hoped that the propositions would be
voted upon.
Mr. Webster demurred he did not wish to be
forced to act hastily upon the grave questions in
volved in these propositions.
Mr.. Clay, willing to allow time to the Senator
from Massachusetts, moved an adjournment but
withdrew the motion at the request of Mr.. Foote,
who said
As stated to day that | had agreed with the
Senator from Illinois and with others to vote for
taking up the California bill, it was with the un
Outstanding that this whole matter should be dis
posed of to-day. But as this plan has been de-
fe ,tcd, and the whole day taken up in the discus
sion Of the amendments Of the Senator from Mis-
souri, merely rise for the purpose Of stating that
| am wholly disappointed in the course of proceed
ing, though | complain not Of the conduct Of any
gentleman; and that consider myself wholly alb
Solved from any arrangement which has been
made; and that ] shall act on the California
proposition, when It comes up, ms my judgment
shall dictate. In accordance with my promise,
now move that the Senate adjourn.
The motion was agreed to- and the Senate I'D
journed.
FRIDAY APRIL l2, 1850.
\ After the morning hour, the Senate proceeded
TO the consideration of the unfinished business OF
yesterday.
Mr.. Webster said | have made an honest Of.
fort to conform to the wishes of q part of the
Senate, who have thought that some good nigh,
arise from sending these propositions TO q com.
mittee. have never been sanguine as the Sen.
ate knows MS to any such valuable result and
after the debates and votes Of yesterday | see
very little prospect that any benefit will ensue
from pressing the proposal of a reference to a
committee further. My own opinion is quite the
other way | think as things now stand, moth
ing can come of it but fresh series Of instruc-
tions and amendments, bringing on debates and
discussions Of which no one can see the end
am inclined, therefore, for my part instead of
wasting more time on these resolutions, to pro-
coed with the bill or bills and act directly on the
several provisions as they may arise
Mr.. Clay warmly insisted upon a committee.
Sooner or later he thought they must come to IL.
Sooner or later we must arrive at the question
whether we will or will not unite the California
and the Territorial bills for |, for one, II nobody
else does, mean to propose as An amendment TO 1t
the Territorial bill II the majority is against me-
be it so il the majority is with me- suppose that
submission TO the decision Of the majority In
my favor will be acquiesced in by the opposing
party with the same promptitude and cheerful
ness with which shall acquiesce in the decision
Of majority contrary to my views. SO that
nothing is gained by the rejection Of the commit
tee proposed to be Notwithstanding whatever.
motion to strike out the Territorial part of the
proposition, and leaving California to stand alone
would elicit a majority on the one side or the
other 80 that nothing is obtained by having the
California bill reported separately. The union
or non-union Of the bills Is proposition from
which there is no esoape-no evasion. | pledge
myself II my life is spared, II no other Senator
moves it, to move, when the California bill is ta-
ken up, the addition of the Territorial bill
Mr.. Benton. Sir, this is the right way. That
Is exactly what | proposed yesterday, In the
course OF the remarks that made In reply to the
Senator from Massachusetts,. There is q very
great difference, sir, between Offering amendments
here in open Senate and having them brought in
by committee. The method proposed by the
Senator from Kentucky is the right oIss, end
hope that the Senate will pursue that course. II
the conjunction Of subjects be made by the Senate,
I shall Of course acquiesce shall offer no fur
Their resistance, but not so II made by the commit
tee This sir, is the proper course IL Is certain
ly the fair parliamentary course 1t is in accord
auce with parliamentary practice. And now, sir,
| wish to say TO the Senate, in relation TO this
subject-for wish that everything that contem-
plate doing shall be known beforehand-tbat in
certain event there may be some amendments,