The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-15

ton OF constitution, subject to the approval Of
Congress, would be regarded fayorably by the
President. Only year ago it was complained
that the exercise of the military power to maintain
law and order in California was fearful innova-
ton. But now the wind has changed, and blows
even stronger from the opposite quarter.
May this republic never have President commit
amore seriouso or dangerous usurpation ofpower
than the act OF the present eminent Chief Magis-
trate, in endeavoring to induce Legislative authori
ty TO relieve him from the exercise of military
power, by establishing civil institutions regulated
by law in distant provinces! Rome would have
been standing this day, if she had had such gene
rails and such tribunes.
3D. But the objection, whether true in part or even
in the whole, is immaterial The question is not
what moved California to impress any particular
feature on her constitution, even what induced
her to adopt constitution at all; but il is whether,
since she has adopted constitution, she shall be
| admitted into the Union.
have now reviewed all the objections raised
against the admission of California It is seen that
they have foundation in the law Of nature and OF
nations. Nor they founded in the Constitution;
for the Constitution prescrbes no form or manner
of proceeding in the admission of new States, but
leaves the whole to the discretion of Congress.
Congress may admit new States" The obec-
tions are all merely formal and technical. They
rest on precedcnts which have not always even
generally, been observed. But it is said that we
ought now to establish safe precedent for the
future.
answer, st 1t is too late to seize this occasion
for that purpose. The irregularities complained OF
being unavoidable, the caution should have been
exercised when, lst, Texas was annexed I'd, when
we waged war against Mexico or, Sd, when we
ratified the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
answer, I'd. We may establish precedents at
pleasure Our successors will exercise their plea
sure about following them, just as we have done in
such cases.
answer, Sd. States, nations, and empires are
apt to be peculiarly capricious not only to the
time, but to the of their being born
and as to their subsequent political changes They
not accustomed to conform to precedents. Cal
ifornia sprung from the head of the nation, not only
complete in proportions and full armed, but rife for
| utilization with its members.
proceed now to state my reasons for the opin-
ion that California ought to be admitted. The pop
ulation of the United States consists of natives OF
Caucasian origin, and exotics of the same derva-
ton. The native rapidly assimilates to itsel
| and absorbs the exotic, and thus these constitute
one homogeneous people. The African race, bond
and frec and the aborigines, savage and civilized,
| being incapable of such assimilation and absorp-
ton, remain distinct, and, owing to their peculiar
condition, they constitute inferior masses, and may
be regarded accidental If not disturbing political
forces. The ruling homogeneous family planted
at first on the Atlantic shore, and following an OBJ
vious law is seen continually and rapidly spread
ing itself westward, year by year, subduing the
great political community, which, fast as it ad-
vances, breaks into distinct States for municipal
purposes only, while the whole constitute one en-
tire, contiguous, and compact nation.
Well established calculations in political arith-
metic enable us to say that the aggregate popula-
ton of the nation now is. % 0OO 900
| That 10 vears hence IL will he 600 000