Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1850-04-12
CONGRESS.

Mr. Shields addressed the Senate at
length on the topics involved in the reso-
lutions.
He defined his own position, and sig
nifed his intention TO obey his instructions
He asserted the constitutional authority
OF Congress 10 restrict slavery. All
conventions and movements for the pur-
poses of promoting sectional strife he
deprecated
Compromise or force must govern this
country; and when force was resrted TO,
republican liberty would already be gone.
He was infavor Of any proper terms OF
compromise. California onght to be ad-
mitted into the Union independently Of
action on other measures. If she was
lept out till all these questions were set
tied, she would not come in till the time
Of the millenium-and never till Con-
e "css ceased talking Injustice enough
had been done TO California already
Congress had had spent more time in
wrang ing about the territories than the
army spent in conqueriug it. 1t was the
duty of Congress 10 give good govern
ments TO the Territories.
What was the South to gain by cxclu-
ding California from The Union? He did
no; SEQ. The people Of California were
determined to render labor dignifed and
respectable. The white men there will
never be jostled by slave WHY, there
would be five hundred thousand of The
n'ost cnterprising men in tie country in
Cnliforn n aftera few years. There were
hundred and fifty thousand there row.
The men there we've of the right spirit.
and there were enough already to main
tain their independence. Slavery could
never be imposed upon them.
He argued that The constitution did not
establish slavery; it must exist by positive
cnactments; and therefore it did not exist
in Mexico
The South must give up all hope of
maintaining an equilibrium 1t was an
absurdity But still the South might,
and probably will, continue 10 control tie
government as it had done heretofore.
Mr. Mason followed He felt that his
constituents and the interests of the
South were in minority here, and tie
majority had not yet declared their pur
poses. We Of the South hold that the
territories are the property of the United
States, and that the South has n right 10
90 there with their property and .ide
there Blu: the North said that Con-
gress could prevent the South from ia
king one species of property into that
territory.
This was the question. Now, sir,
am 'cpared-the South is prepared-to
assert our right, and make it good--lrt
what will happen. He must writ till
these questions assumed practical form
He was in favor of reference to COM
mit'ee of all these propostions--in Mr.
Bells Resoluiions-in the hope that some
adjustment might be arrived at, and
urged action on the territorial hills soon.
Mr.. Underwood and Mr.. Shields made
some remarks.
Mr.. Butler concurred in the views of
the Senator from Virginia, and depreca-
ted separate action on the California bill.
Mr. Clay deplored the condition of
feeling on the part of the South and
North The agitation in Congress had
produced distrust among the people
one party was distrustful of the INTENT ms
Of the other, and confidence was shaken.
He was for embracing every offer of COM
promise. He was ready to vote for Mr..
Foote'S proposition. IL was no hahn. 1t
might do good. He was ready TO vote
for California separately or conjointly
with other subjects, oT With or without
present boundaries. STA
lie expressed great anxiety upon this
subject. Hu had come here, thoughia-
boring under indisposi,ion, to urge his
views. His desire was, in a measure Of
compromise, to leave the committee of
conference untrammeled. If California
was excepted from the reference to the
COMMITTEES, he would MS leave vote against
the motion as forit.
Mr. Benton followed, and argued that
California be considered as u separate
measure.
The Senate adjourned to Monday.
In tie House, that day, according to
the rules, was, was private bill day. The
House, Immediately after the reading Of