The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-17
THE UNION.


know how the four gentlemen We're influenced who
voted upon this question with me- The real sense Of the
Senate then was IS TO 4 against immediate admission
The four gentlemen who voted with me were Messrs
BALDWIN, CoRwIN, HALE, and WEBSTER Now, what
are we TO understand the fair Interpretation OF this
amended article There is no provision mai these Ier
ritores shall be admitted soon as the form oil the
constitution will permit, or when they shall attain
certain population. There is nothing resembling the
provision contained in the cess,on o. Teri
which we acquired Florida and Louisiana nothing al
all They are 10 be admitted at proper time--to De
Judged Of BY whom BY the Congress Of the United
States Now, sir il seems TO me- the force and effect.
the puport and design OF that s that Congress was rst
to move this business that there should be some ma
tera change or condition q IN ,ne iulue
for admission know that, y we admit ih's stale INTO
the Union now. Congress will have judged OF the pro-
prety OF it. No doubt about that But that article con-
temoated, think, more than thsa prior. not subse
quent appeal, that we should lead, not follow And H.
without territorial government. without any treaty pro-
vision which entities them e admission, without any
right in them, perfect imperfect TO ask admission the
act which has been done should obtain our rathcaion
and the people of California be now received into the
Union we shall, think, abandon too much OF the au-
thoy and control intended to be reserved 10 Congress
by this amended article.
These are some Of the difficulties that confess, meet
me at the threshold. | admit that. in my mind, there
are none Of them absolutely insuperabIe Show that
the great interests Of this country can be
how the angry feelings agtatng different portions Of
iow the bonds % and Confidence
the several portions OF this great people, now broken or
weakened, be reunited and strengthened-show me
how this practical advantage from admitting
California and as love this Union and look to It's
preservation with anxious jealousy, but would say with
General jackson that il must be perseryed.-every pre-
vious usage, every formal difficulty, every minor consid
Grafton will be sacrificed and give way under the high
demand OF that duty which both to the constitu-
ents represent and the great Union OF which they form
member Saius poYmt will then be with me supreme
lee.
owe ii 10 myself, Mr. President. to say that have
cautiously avoided allndng 70 anything connected
with the formation OF this California constitution,
except what was necessary to explain the objections
feel and have stated TO the Senate and | am
sorry my friend from South Carolina Mr.. Burial
thought il necessary, in urging, strongly as he did,
his objections to that measure. to cast some re-
fectionfor think he must have been understood
upon the President OF the United States in relation to
the formation of this constitution. Entertaining the
opinions do, and having endeavored to express them
frankly and fully TO the Senate, is proper and just to
say feel satisfied that that high unconary and noble
gentleman has done nothing in regard TO this transaction
but what sprang from the most patriotic moives-tha he
has used power, influence OF this government, to
s1e or control The opinions, or direct the judgment and
efforts OF the people OF California and made sugges
tons even 10 them to the mode or form in which
they should establish the constitution under which they
desire 10 live He has done nothing-and con that
cannot the improperly OF that-but to intimate TO
the people his opinion that would be proper, if they de-
sired admission into this Union, to form constitution and
ask admission differ from him in opinion as TO the
petency OF admitting them under present circumstances,
ment.
Mr. BUTLER II the honorable senator will permit
me 10 make an explahaiion-
Mr. BADGER Certainly, sir; certainly
Mr. BUTLER imputed nothing to the President.
merely said that thought that his Of policy
rather unfortunate in its results.
Mr. BADGER. | am glad to hear this explanation
very glad indeed.
Mr. FOOTE. II the honorable senator will allow
Mr. BADGER Certainly.
Mr. FOOTE. The honorable senator has spoken a
great deal about preceden He is known 10 be strongly
favor of following precedens-more So perhaps, than
any other member of the Senate. He has stated
that in his opinion, the President Of the United States
did interfere improperly in the question OF the Stale
government Of California; and should like 10 have him
tell me il he met with precedent like this He has
made the confession that the President did do something
and think he will find himself much at loss to justify
the course of the President
Mr.. BADGER. | did not make any confession with
regard to the President | know more of what the
President has done than the honorable senator from Mis-
sssippi knows All the information have is contained
in the Presidents message and the papers accompanying
it, called for and promptly communicated and am sure
that he told WIZ Gs TRUTH The u Isa nog oa.
which should govern in matters OF legislation, with
which am concerned in the halls Of Congress do not
undertake TO Judge for the President OF the United States
what might be the proper for him 10 pursue the
extraordinary circumstances in which the country pac-
ed. and which have precedent in history But what
mean, to say was that the President in what he did, was
aciuated by high, patriotic motives and did nothing, d-
recty indirectly TO control or influence the convention
OF Californ
desire, Mr.. President, TO keep this subject entirely
clear from the topics that may embaass the just exercise
OF judgment and understanding and take this
cason TO say that il the objections which have stated
did exist be removed and If other objections
which had 10 the early admission OF these Territories
to the Union, independently OF those have stated and
which had when the treaty was ratified, which felt
then strongly and have continued 10 feel SINCE
moved should not feel myself at liberty govern my
for the admission OF that State by
to the form of government they have adopted fully
recognise that when any people, properly assembling
der the laws OF the United States, form constitution and
government for themselves they are the only authority
earth which has right to determine the particular mode
which the internal aars OF the State shall be adj
minstered Congress may, and indeed is bound to re-
qure that the constitution be republican. This is the only
authority of supervision the only restriction upon the
full authority OF the State: that she shall introduce
into system any monarchca aristocratc elements
which uncongenal with institutions, and might
have stated the difficulties that have presssd upon my
mind. accord fully with the honorable senator from
Missouri [Mr BEsToSl that this is large subject, and
that il should be fully and properly considered, and with
the honorable senator from South Carolina Mr. BUTLER
that we should all make known whatever objections or
difficulties, OF opinions have. And assure honorable
senators that, so far have stated my difficulties,
have stated them frankly open 10 TRUTH and shall will.
lingy receive and act upon any information argument
which may expose my errors, II into errors have fallen
Statement OF the Affairs Life Insurance.
Company OF new York, fur the year ending Jsnus-
ny n. 1850.
Net assets January 81 s7G,e73 IA