The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-22


posed 10 establish territorial government without the
Wimo, Prosiso. and provided for the early and
nen adjudication OF the question OF slavery Sir, when
this bill went TO the House OF Representatives, was de-
ieated, and defeated 10 some extent by The action
OF southern men, who openly took the ground, which
some gentlemen have taken this morning, that The bill
did not give them the nl security as 70 southern inter
ess which they desired They avowed their opinion TO be
that the Mexcanlaw then operative on those Ter
ntores ConsceDlousiy entertaining That opinion, they
consistently could urge what they did nrgt that that
bill should be amended TO sweep the Mexican laws
far they nieiteei with the rights OF shareholders,
out OF existence But, failing in that object they voted
against the bill and defeated aud for thus aiding
in its defeat they have been denounced for have
joined in this denunclaon, and regretted 10 II
occur, deplored the course which these gentlemen
thought proper to pursue. regretted that they could
not, without violating their Of proprey, unite
with US in supporting the Cayto compromise BILL But
certain II Is that these gentlemen were denounced Tor
assuming the very ground now assumed BY gentlemen
who were then content with voting for the bill Of
promise, without any such amendment that noy In
sisted upon. The gentlemen just alnded TO, by whom
the Clayton compromise bill defeated, insisted as
have learned that there should be clause superadded
TO the bill which would have had the precise effect which
this amendment is intended 10 secure in formally annu
ling the Mexican laws on the subject OF slavery. Then
feel that have right TO demand, ii choose 10 do so.
that all who were Clayton compromise in this cham
be formerly should now vote against this amendment
That bill was nonntervention bill Ii simply pro-
posed TO establish territorial government, leaving the
question OF slavery 10 be decided judciay. This bill
does the same thing The Clayton conpronise bl' j.
adopted in it, far this matter concerned word for
word and letter for letter II IS the Clayton compro
mise bill, so far as this question is concerneL voted
for i before and shall vote tort again whether THIS
amendment shall be adopted or not, and do not dread
any charge Of inconsistency which may be brought
against me- AT any rate, am prepared TO defend my
course formerly and now should be assailed either
Mr.. DAVIS, OF Mississippi There are some things
which must be done al the time. or they not worth
doing al all hardly know, since my colleague has IN
sisted on speaking before me- whether il worth while
for 10 notice errors which the senator from
Louisiana Mr. DowNsl fell into in relation 10 my posi-
ton rose Immediately after he concluded, for The pur
pose OF correcting those errors, and Will do II now.
The senator from Louisiana Tell into the error, What
had abandoned my POSITION that the copsiitutftEsex
tended the Territories acquired from Mexico, and
supreme therein over the laws OF Mexico He paid
me very unmered compliment when be referred to an
argument OF nine which he described IN terms which
could not realize due TO any effort OF nine, winch he
said convinced him Of the truth OF that position then
maintained by me- Now, have not changed my opinion.
entertain the same conclusion still but referred 10 au
thorites so high and inellect- and requirements
much superior 10 my own that thought il justified
doubis and certainly would create doubts in the minds OF
persons who had their properly al stake That was my
position, and the senator surely misunderstood me- Then
again, he misunderstood me about non-lnierventon |
certainly have not said that my understanding OF non-in
erventlon is the establishment OF slavery, or peculiar
legislation for the protection OF slavery Yet have said
that non intervention is not doctrine opposed to the re-
peal Of foreign laws which interfere with the constitu
ona rights of the STAKEHOLDER in this species OF proper
ty. The non Intervention which recognise and uphold
is non.inerveniion with constitutional rights. | state
again that and hope always will be, for inter-
venlion which shall repeal any foreign laws within the
Territories of the United States, ii such laws there
exist which Interfere with the rights OF American citizens
on American soil
tMr FooTE ] The senator from Georgia Mr BERRIESl
has shown clearly and fully the difference between
our position and when the Clayton compromise was
adopted that could only add TO his argument 10 weaken
il. | will say, however, that the cases are not al all
alike. Then il was before emigration, and when the
whole Territory was open to settlement from every sec
ntt laa tha hafta nf
territory has been turned over, or will by this BILL u IT
pass be turned to State government that prohibits
slavery, and the balance OF the Territory has been TO
large extent occupied by immigration influenced by anti
slavery agitation, IL is another and there Is no RIGHT
10 expect to take The terms. The are so
wholly dlssmiar, that the proposition cannot pos
sbly apply them both. Do you expect any 10 be
fixed in opinion which only involves expedency, the
disposal of after you have taken that matter
away Shall now be content with the same terms
in relation to the remnant Of territory for which
tended when the whole open tShall we be satisfied
ten years hereafter when is peoped and the whole OF
that was voluntarily excluded from the State Shall we
be satisfied them and admit that we had our equal rights
in the Territories when the whole has been swept away
because you do not impose the Wmot Provso on this
sand deser' Sir such argument as that is not worth
answering IL impose upon no one II certainly
not govern the opinions OF any one
an sorry, however that my friend from Louisiana has
80 greatly mistaken my argument am sorry, indeed that
he should suppose that was advocating here the doctrine
that Congress should establish slavery anywhere when
that should oppose i 10 the end on piacple which
never would yield did not expect al this late day, to
be misunderstood. Nor can feel, because wish TO
remove Mexican impedments or because bow 10 the
weight OF authory-because admit that authority 10 be
great 10 throw a cloud the rights OF citizens,
and to affect them, when they shall contemplate migration
with their slave property into these Territories
have therefore surrendered my opinion in favor OF
our constitutional right II have one delect which
stands out prominently than the rest fear Il is
rather that adhere 10 my own opinion when Others be-
lieye that Arguments enough have been offered TO
warrant change than that my opinions vary rapidly
the definitions OF friends give OF "non-nler
vention."
Mr. DAWSON Mr. President, as understand this
question, when il was before Congress years ago
uae the form oil the Clayton compromise bill, there were
two sets oil opinions then in force. The South were
nearly unanimous that the laws OF New Mexico not
force in that Territory. On the other side the opinion
almos, equally unanimous IN the northern States
that they ~ force and 10 settle that controversy,
proposed 10 submit IL 10 the judiciary of the couBtry
tina, 1t might be decided Now, what influenced the
action OF the people OF California IA the formation OF their
government involves principle which Il y not my OBJ
ec 10 discuss. Ny VIEW ~ relation 10 this matter
thus; that Congress have no power to Interfere in the
question OF slavery. they have right 10 establish
OF TO prohibit il in a Territory. But when the govern
ment OF the United States, thoayh it, organized powers
the President and the Senate, acquires territory by treaty
aud that territory is brought into the country The prop
erty oil the general government, with existing laws
which governed the country up to the tine OF lis acqus
ton, that presents question. The la are not
created by the Congress OF the United States, hy the legis
auye lover but by the acquisition Ol the ternioyby
national law | call this an lnpedimen created BY the
government OF the United Saier, through ls treaty.
making power 10 The enjoyment Of equal right by all
the States; aud II Is the duly Of Congress, acting
Ill