The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-17
THE SOUTHERN PRESS.

TrrsDAr, August 10, 1850.
ADMISSION OF CALIFORNIA.


hill 90 admit California rs a State into the
Union, a debate ensued which was necessarily
omitted yesterday morning. The question was
ou the passage OF the bill e.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi ] do not pro.
pose, MIR. President, at this stage of the bill
aud la the known temper of tiIe Senate, TO
enter into any argument upon its megits or de-
merits. Although there is wide.hcld of facts
not yet explored, ii is not my purpose 10 enter
upon IL. feel that il would be useless More
{ nan I 'at ] should fear TO expose myself to an
exhibition of that restlessness which has on this
question marked the majority of the Senate, and
which | do not wish TO encounter But ask
Why, and among whom, is the spirit of i'm
PATIENCE manifested! Does il proceed from a
desire To provide a government for California
No. sir. the records deny that This impatience
j, most exhibited by those who, at the last
session of Congress, refused unless with the
slavery restriction, 10 unite with MS TO give the
benefits VI n territorial government to Cali
iornll--such n government rs was then adapted
10 their condition; nay, more, such a govern
meni ne Is best adapted TO their condition now.
Then, sir, among that class of Senators the
great purpose Of giving territorial government
10 the people of California was held subordinate
10 the application Of the Wilmot Proviso to the
ball Then, and for that reason, Congress
Jailed to give the protection to this people
which h'sy had Alright 10 expect NJ the hands
Of a just Government, and which they had a
right to demand under the treaty Of peace with
Mexico.
Now. sir, when the people inhabitinp that
Territory have formed Constitution, one of the
clauses Of which prohibits the introduction of
slaves, those who refused to give government
under the circumstances just named, and as we
have right TO infer, for the reason stated are
now found most earnest In pressing upon us, in
violation Of all precedent, the admission of this
State into the Union. Then are we not com
PEELED 10 conclude that their policy, both then as
now. WIS governed by the single desire 10 ex-
clude shareholders from introducing that species
property into any of the recent acquisitions
IRON Mexico! Is that in accordance with the pro-
vision OF the Constitution, which secures equal
privileges and immnnities to all the citizens of
the several States Of the Union! In il in accor-
dance with the princip. Of even-handed justice,
II there had been no constitutional obligations!
These acquisitions were made by the people Of
the whole United States, and we are bouni to
remember that those whom this bill proposes to
exclude, contributed more than their fair propor-
tion, both Of blood and treasure, to obtain that
territory? No, sir, the Constitution forlids JUS
tice condemns the course which Is pursued, and
patriotism and reason frown Indignantly upon it,
Is it then matter Of surprise that we, the suf-
iering party, have shown resentment and made
determined opposition is il not rather matter
Of surprise that that indignation which has blazed
throughout the Southern States should have
been received with such calm indifference by the
maJoriiy Of Congress that Congress has not
only refused to listen, but has treated with
scorn the appeal which has been made Such,
SIR, has been the history OF this debate.
But if the motive be denied, then ask, If not
for the reason have given, why are Northern
senators pressing with such eagerness the adniis-
sion OF California Is il to secure benefit for
their manufactures or navigation. No, sir They
know that when the people of California come
IN they will be people in favor OF free trade,
and that their policy will be TO invite the ship
ping Of the world, aud secure for themselves the
cheapest transportation. 1t is not then for pur-
poses Of their own interest that they seek her
admission, Is II 10 preserve their political rights
under the Constitution! No, sir. Now they are
III the majority, and they need no addition for
such a purpose as that. Then we are forced 10
conclude that it Is for the purpose of AGGRESSION
upon the people of the South-that il is am ex-
hibltion OF that spirit of dominant party which
regards neither the Constitution nor Justice. nor
the feelings Of fraternity which bind them 10 us
but treads with ruthless and relentless step oyer
all considerations which should govern men
wise, just, and patriotic
And this, is the evidence of that love for the
Union which is constantly presented to us as q
reason why we should abandon the rights, why
We should be reereant to the knewn will of on
constituents, why we should disregard the duie,
We were delegated TO perform, and submit Il
aggression such as freemen have never tamel,
borne. But Mr.. President, is this the way t.
avoid danger from the indignation which ha,
been aroused; is this the way 10 avert the dange
Of disunion, IL such danger exist That indig
nation, and that danger, so far as it has been ex
cited is the offspring of injustice, and this is tn,
maturing act Of a series Of measures which leae
10 one end-the total destruction of the equalit,
of the States, and the overthrow of the rights O
the Southern section of the Union. We, sir
of the South, are the equals Of the North b,
compact by inheritance, and the patriotic devo
ton and sacrifices by which the territory from
which il is proposed to exclude MS was acquired
And when such an outrage excites manly re
monstrance, instead of bringing with il a feelin,
Of forbearance and disposition to abstain ant
reflect, il is answered by the startling cry of dis
union, dsunion What constitutes the Grim,
of disunionf
This, sir, isa Union of sovereign States, unde
compact which delegated certain powers to tn,
General Government and reserved all else TO tn,
States respectively, or to the people. To tn,
Union the South is as true now as in the da,
when our forefathers assisted to establish il
against that Union they have never by word OF
deed offered any opposition. They have nevel
claimed from this Federal Government any pecu
liar advantages for themselves. They have
never shrunk from any duty or sacrifice imposed
by il, nor sought TO deprive others of the benefits
II was designed 10 confer. They have never
spoken of that constitutional Union but in re-
sPectful language; they have never failed in
aught which would secure to posterity the unin-
numbered enjoyment Of that legacy which our
fatbers left us.
Those who endeavor to sap and undermine the
Constitution on which that Union rests are dis
unionists IN the most opprobous understanding
Of that term, such being the crime of disunion
ask by whom, anfhow is this spirit of disunion
promoted! Not by those who maintain the Con
stiiution from which the Union arose. and by nd.
herencs to which thas reached its present great
ness; not those who refuse TO surrender the
principles which gave birth to the Union. and
which are the soul of Itsy existence not those
who, claiming the equality to which they were