The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
MONDAY. JUNE H.. 1850.
I'm cosriSuArIos.l

MISREPRESENTATION ooyERSMENTs--ADJUsTMENr
The Senate having under consideration the bill for hs
admission OF California State into the Union, 70 es
absh territorial governments for Utah and New Mexl
81 and making proposals to Texas for the settlement o
her western and northern boundareshe question pend
when the people of the Territories shall have formed
Sate governments, they shall be admitted with or with
ou slavery They shall elect in the formation OF their
Mr.. NORRIS said; Mr.. President, wish to offer one
word of explanation before give my vote upon this sub
ec regret that my frisnd from Louisiana thought i
10 offer this amendment; not becanse wish 70
dsguise or conceal my opinions it, because am
MI willing here and TO declare them, but simply be-
canse wish to come TO final action upoa thus bill and
wish moi 10 be embarrassed by any amendments which,
II indgment are unnecessary, and which add moth
ng 10 the value OF legislation on the subjects en-
braced in H. Is it urged here to add any new obligation
nnon Congress TO admit State ont OF this Territory,
when such State shall present itself here in due form
and al a proper lime II So then think it altogether
unneces sary II il merely an attempt in my judgment,
% add cumulative and secondary obligations 70 those al
ready existing Of ahieher and more solemn character.
In my judgment, sir, this Is not an open question
Whenever any State, formed out Of any Of Inc territory
embraced in this h shall present itself here al the
proper time, it il not in the power p Congress, exer-
sOg its proper duties. to exclude such State because u
nhbts tolerates the institutions Of domestic slavery
We bound BY our treaty obligations to admit her into
this Union oil States, and 10 the enjoyment o all the
rights Of citizens Of the United States, according to the
principles Of the constitution. That is what we are
bound TO do by law above and beyond US and over
l. 4 e j
Well now sir, what are the principles Of the constitn-
ton in regard This matter Does the constitution au.
ihorze inquire Of any State which presents itself
here whether its constitution oleraes or prohibits sla,
veryi No, sir. The only obligation resting on U.S. and
the only power conferred upon us Is 10 see that her con-
silulion Is republican.
siution Of the United States. majority OF the States
new free had not prohibited slavery Those who had
prohibited it were exceptions 10 the rule II will De die
then in 10 say that any test is now to be applied which
was not then thought of, and which could not have
been applied The constitution admitted slavery COM
pable with republican form Of government, and re-
auiled no other test. And what has been the practice
under the constitutions There have been seventeen new
States admitted into the Union--nne slave States and
eight free States The principle has been uniform 70 ad-
mi States with without slavery, the people OF those
mes States thought fit to incorporate slavery into their
institutions or That has been made ques-
iion ask then, how II is with the people OF these Ter
riloesl They have right to be admitted here accord
ing the principles Of the constitution If this consti-
iuion inhbits slavery. we'll II il toeraies il, well.
is TO be made test here We bound, in accord
with the principles of the constitution, TO admit them
when they present themselves II is not an open ques-
ion The question is settled and any declaration which
be made by This Congress will be merely cumua-
i've and secondary affirmation Of obligation which
rests upon US from source Of higher authority, and
equally upon any Congress that shall come after
Well sir, am disposed to vote for this amendment,
not because j is necessary, or in my view N any way
useful but simply because am unwilling 10 place my
self upon the record in opposition 10 great principle
which recognise To be irue and as being guarded By
the supreme law Of the land do mol wish to De mis-.
ayprehended hereafter think this to be abstract
proposition connected with this bill II is the snpe
declaration OF principle which is binding upon me and
upon every senator in this hall am unwilling that my
vote should be misconstrued. unwilling TO record
vote which hereafter be held up to the country as
sgmaiieing with having pronounced against great
constitutional principle lshalivoe for the amendment,
not because think II adds anything 10 the bill, bat be-
cause am unwilling 10 appear before the country as
Mr. SEWARD. Mr.. President, rise not to engage
~
explanation with regard 10 my esteemed colleague well
myself. Some time since, he made appointment in
the city Of New York. under the expectation that all the
important matters which this bill brings up would be set
tied and disposed Of before the arrival Of The time OF the
appointment found him on Saturday last determined
not TO fulfil his engagement there at the hazard or the
expense of losing his vote in favor Of this mendment
and other which he intended TO give in favor Of
ihv bill Under these circumstances, although always
anxious TO assume my own proper share OF responsibility
insisted upon his fulfilling bis engagement. promising
upon my part thai my vote, which, II gven would be
given opposition TO his should be withheld, that
the effect would be precisely the If he were here
and voting rise. therefore, for the purpose OF that
u not precuded BY the engagement have made with
him, should vote against tnIs amendment. i have no
hesitation in saying iha, should do The vote would
draw after il the which would determine H. For
my part, believe that the Congress oi the United
States may or they may mol admit new States They
may admit, and they mag not admit; and II they may
admit, they may also refuse TO admit or aanex conditions
10 The act OF admission. For my part, know now
state OF circumstances in regard 10 these Territories
or 10 any other Territories which exist, or ever
hereafter exist that will induce me, under the o
responsibility under which act, 10 give vote Tor the
admission OF any one of them which sh0ald come lac re
with an application for admission slave State.
sill. F00IE. The desire which feel 10 sptak nme-
diaiely ~ succession the senator New York. with
view OF giving additional poin and efficiency 10 what
have say in reply 10 him. induces TO feel Iaricu-
larry thankful 10 my friend from Pe0nsy vana Alf.
CooPERl for giving way, he has gracIoasy doHe
upon ihs occasion. shall make extended haFangue
but wish remind the Senate and through the conn.
try OF most striking and extraordinary Iact il the
history oi this dehae SIR, when the honorable senator
from New York was delivering thai speech OF hs, Ia
which the "hlgner law was nrst broughtto our notice
he used language oil nature TO induce those who
6ded ia his sincerity 10 suppose that the existence
and protection oil slavery had been provided tor IN the
Safe constitution presented from California, such pro-
vision would not 10 the least degree have prevented bis
voting Tor ep admission Sia Ia the midst oil that
speech, an many now lrekent wall recolrc and
intending that no doubt should Iemain upon point sc
material popounded the question spechSaly 10 The sen
a,or. whether IL California had presented constitution
within her limits, this would, or would not ha,t
prevented hrs voting Tor her admission The senato
on that occasion unLestatngly declared ~ reply, ant
he stands published the world, that had CahiornIs
adopted constitution perfectly the reverse OF that whct
she has adopted, so af relates TO the subject OF African
slavery he would have voted for her admission as cheer
fully he should do under existing circumstances fe
The honorable gentleman sas this morning land he ev
IDENTIFY wishes to be 80 understood by the countfy-iha
he 10 determined not 10 Vote for the admission oil eithe
al the Territories embraced in the s cent bill AZ Stale
unless By s organic law slavery sa be absolutely pro-
hbiled. Sir, these days, when men are taking 50
much about consistency and Inconsistency. tell bound
10 note ihs TACT IN ibe OF the senator from New
York partly supposed that the senator from New York
was sincere al the period o his frs declaration and w