Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-01-31
B Y TELEGRAPH.
Congressional.

w r


Mr.. Clay spoke in It's favor.
The subject was passed over Informally. aud the
Senate proceeded the consideration of the special
order Of the day. being Mr.. Foote's resolution dccar-
ing IL To be the duty Of Congress provide Terrior
al Governments for the Territories
Mr.. Cass, at great length, addressed the Senate
the question Of the WIlmOl Proviso. He commenced
by stating there were two questions involved in the
controversy respecting the Wilmot Pruviso. First,
as TO It's COnstitutionaIity, and secondly its
pedlency. He would confne himself principally TO
the question Of its Constiutionaliy, and afterwards
Of It's expediency. He commenced by considering the
general power Congress had to legslate distant
Terrores quoting various authorities in "a yor of it.
This claim of unlimited legislation he considered,
had led to our revolutionary struggle He had listen
ed with amaZement to the subtle discussions SUBJ
jects If the rights of society everything. and
the rights of man nothing. Ii is revival of the dis
pute between Great Britain and her Colonies, in
which we have taken the place of the former. He
drew distinctions between the rights of unlimited legis
lation over distant regions which have represen-
tatIOn, and the right 10 organize government, leav
ing the details lU The people. In the District of Co.
umbia, Congress has exclusive jurisdiction but there
were peculiar for that arising out of the sit
uatun Of the District and the nature Of the original
Federal compact. There is no clause Of the Consti
tuition which gives Congress express power TO pass
any Law respecting Slavery IN The Territories
That authority is derived from various Eve
construction OF CONSTITUTION which WOulorgtve
foreign Legislature power over every other social
and political question in the Territnry If il were
intended to give Congress unlimited power of legis-
Iation Territories il would have been express
ed He then entered upon analysis Of the-varioUs
clauses Of the Constitution, from which it mas been
attempted 10 derive this power of legislation over
Territories.
AT O'clock Mr.. Cass gave way for Executive Ses-
sion.
Adjourned.
HuUsE.-An Intellectual attempt was made to re-
consider the vote pOs,poning the election of Door
keeper. .s.i
The Speaker decided, would be in order to Offer
a motion appointing. a, Temporary DOor-keeper, and
Postmaster, but coald not go-into an election unit
the time expired, Match. 1851.
lengthy discussion ensued. relative TO tue ap-
polnlment temporarily ORE pew, or the continuation
of the old Door-keeper. -
-ksssrdent sent in a message, in answer TO the
resolution of inquiry, respecting the Government of
California, which read. Tue President says, af-
Irr explaining the matter, I'll did not hesitate 10
press To tie people of those territories my desire
that each shon.d if prepared to cUmpy with the
qurementS Of the United States Constitution apply TOR
admission into the Union but did not authorize the
establishment Of ANY such government without the
consent Of Congress nor did authorize any govern
ment agent TO influence The election of delegates,
OF control any Convention in making or modifying
their domestic Institutions.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %. ;
SENATE-Mr. Webster submitted a resolution
granting To every male citizen of the u. ). quarter
section of public land, who settles upon and cut-
Yates the same three years. 1t lies
The Senate resumed the special order OF the day,
being the consideration of Foote'S resolution for
forming territorial governments.
Mr.. Cass having the floor, resumed, and concluded
his remarks on The Wimot Proviso. II believe This
Union will survive all the dangers with which 1t
may be menaced, however trying the circumstances
IN which 1t may be placed. But to maintain tins
proud PosltiOn this integrity OF political existence
which so much, for US, and the world depends, we
must avoid those Sectional questions much and so
forciby deprecated by The Father of his country, and
cultivate spirit Of mutual regard, adding the
sldera ions of interest which hold together. Sad
will be the day when the first drop OF blood is shed
III preservation of this Union. That day need never
cUnc At the same spirit OF compromise aud conces-
sion by EACH for the feelings ol ALL which animated
fathers, continues To animate and cbIldren
out If powers offensive 10 portion of the country
aud Of doubtful UblgatlOn 10 say the least OF IT, arc
be exercised by another aud under circumstances Of
peculiar excitement, This confederacy may be rent in
twain leaving another example Of that judicial blind
with which God his providence sometimes
visits the SINS OF nations. Now, s:r, as mere prac
tcal question, is the Legislative adoption vt this Pro-
vIsu worth the hazard which alone Ii be secur
ed aud over Tie obstacles have briefly alluded U
| There should be great advantages, lnestimable
indeed, to be gained befOrs--socr -assmeasure Is
forced upon tie country. Can any man say that
they correspond at all with the magnitude Of evil
which follow in iheir-tEain-l---EDr myself, do
not believe tue slightest good will result or UOutd
result under favorable circumstances, from
this Congressional interference with the rights Of the
people of territories The object avowed IL lU pre-
| vent the introduction of slavery. Ca. il 90 there
even ii left without tins prohibition | believe 1t
rwnno,, aud believe lhereAfsFeTy Few here or eise-
| where that think ii can. The WIlmot Pruviso is
urged upon the ground of its expediency II is op-
posed upon the ground Of lis unconstluiIonaliiy.
Now, Is tie contest wOrIthe COS, 10 place this bar
ren and believe, unconstitutional lroyiso the
statute book (! | will engage in no such crusade
against the South. from whatever motives 1t orgna.
ted. | will endeavor 10 discharge my duty an
American Senator, 10 the country, the whole cOun-
try and when cannot do this, shall to have
any duty here to perform. My sentiments upon The
WilmOt Proyso now before this Senate. | an,
precuded from voting in conformity with them
have been instructed by the Legislature of Michigan
to vote IN favor OF this measure. l am believer lii
the right OF instruction when exercised under proper
circumstances. | acknowledge the obligation Of the
instructions baye received and cannot act in oppos
tion To them,snor can ] act in opposition to my own
convictions Of the true meaning of the constitution
When the time comes and am required TO vote upon
this measure, as practical one, on bill providing
territorial government, shall know how recon
cile my duty 10 the Legislature, with my duty TO my
self. by surrenderng the trust longer fulfil
Mr.. Cass concluded.
Mr. Butler took the floor for o-morrow.
The bill providing for the repair of the Cumberland
q Dam passed.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %, 1850.
SENATE.-Tbe Vermont slavery resolution came vi
: for consideration, when
$ Mr.. Phelps, who had The floor, made moderate
and well-nied speech in defence of the resolution
which occupied must of the session.
On motion Of Dir. Butler, the bill providing for tn
reca pture of fugitive slaves made the order Q