The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-08

touchstons BY which viii test the soundnsss Of the
proposed modes OF settlement which am now called upon
There 4; s. ,a,ss plan. before he country ss
the public mind The one OF the Other these win doubt
less be ultimately adopted but which Of them Z destined
much depends upon The course which tie South NAV
adopt in reference 10 them, e -
The plan Of the late administration GENERAL Taylors
lowed III rapid succession BY the admission Of New Mexico
and other States without much reference either TO the char
tory Is obnoxious to SO many and such grave objections
and has met with lille favor with the people OF the
South that deem unnecessary % bestow upon ts con-
sderailon passing notice. II has received the uni
yeTsa condemnation OF people, and s discarded as
utterly worthless and odlous. large portion Of the
south IS now urging the adoption OF the Missouri Com
factory mode OF settlement Il possesses many advan-
tages Which have commended to the favor Of southern
" and mas been REGARDED during the whole progress
purpose OF quoting this harassng sectional agitation,
and giving repose 70 the public mind may Be permitted
TO express my regret That did not sooner find favor with
many Of its present warmes advocates in our State
There time when the prospect adopting was far
promising than pesent In the early history Of our
who believed that the South could, with Justice and popr-
ETY., acquiesce 10 that mode OF settlement Notwithstanding
her constitutional objections to congressional Legislation
on the subject My reasons Tor so believing have been
frequently presented to the people oil my district that
would BE- worse than supsrfuous g repeat hem 4 will
history that have given votes IN accord
ancc with this view Of the subject nor will fail 10 at
sabs ai
those who most solicitous for the adoption Of
similar policy may be permitted 70 express, in pass
ing word, the qualification II has afforded 10 witness
"ths change which has come over the spirit Of their
dreams"
. In order. however, to understand the comparative
merits OF this and another mode of settlement which
shall COnSde atiOn IL will be
look at the practical details OF the plan proposed 10
be carried out by those who give their preference.
The friends OF the Missouri Compromise line are will
ling TO admit California State. with her southern
limits restricted to the parallel OF latitude 90 deg 80 min
This with the organization OF territorial governments
north OF that line in the balance OF the Territory pohib
Ting slavery, and south of the line permitting IT, c0ns
tutes the features OF their plan settlement There
is some diversity Of sentiment among them upon the
OF recognising the existence OF slavery in such
territorial governments may be formed south OF the
line OF SO deg 80 min. hut whether recognised by Con-
slavery into any portion Of the Territory against the wishes
OF the people who may emigrate there and inhab il
SO that at last It's existence there must depcnd. as it
should upon the decision oil the people oil The Terrific
ries This fact should be borne in memory, prevent
the public mind from falling into the fatal error Of sp
.nat sns s,s nm e Il ane
portion OF that country Such result does not
sarily follow upon this mode OF adjustment. Soil, eli
mate and the general adaptation OF the country 10 slave
labor are the great elements that mould and regu
late the institutions OF those Territories, left free from
the operation OF congressional restrictions; and hence
is that have heretofore been willing TO repose in
confidence upon the constitutional doctrine OF nOn.inter
vention. Such is the plan OF settlement which the
friends of the Missouri Compromise line propose have
already referred the fact that this mode Of adjustment
had heretofore received my approval II still commends
itself my favor and hence am prepared again TO give
il my and support have observed that, with some,
this measure has been regarded anagonistical all
OF the other modes of adjustment which have been pro-
posed cannot give my assent to this view ct the mat
er II does not follow necessary consequences that
our approval OF this proposition precludes US iron the
favorable consideration of other of settlement
which may be offered Whilst we give 70 this the fullest
appreciation of its merits, shall fail fayfo
the terms OF other propositions, with sincere desire
arrive at proper conclusion in reference to them ALL II
spirit among our people do commend the conclusions to
which my reflections have brought my mind. atN
The remaining plan Of settlement which desire to
consids, < the bill Of the Senate Committee Of Thirteen
mission Of California State with her present b0unda
res the organization Of territorial governments for the
ervenon in reference 10 the subject Of slavery and the
settlement OF the boundary between Texas and New
Mexico These the only objects of the bill about
objections have been urged the admission Of Cafor
MIA State, in consequence OF the great Irregularities
which attended the organization OF hsr state
brought TO bear upon her people in the formation Of
her State constitution In these objections there 10 much
the course Of proceedings which have brought about the
present OF things II is only necessary for me TO
know that these objections not grave and formda
BILE in their character require at my hands the entire
rejection Of California State, when the question Is
presented apar OF general system OF settlement
BY which peace and quiet TO be restored 10 country
torn and distracted BY the most angry and alarming dis
sensions We have the satisfaction OF knowing that the
constitution which California presents has received
The sanction and approval OF her people and that In the
progress OF ime should the inhabitants OF that country
be satisfied that their interest and prosperity require
change OF their fundamental law, the power exists with
them alter change, and modify IL at pleasure. The
mere fact that her constitution excludes the institution OF
slavery constitutes valid constitutional objection TO
her admission State The right Of the people 70 pass
upon this and all kindred questions in the organization
oil their State governments Is principle which needs
only 10 be stated 10 be admitted and sanctioned There
Is no principle am sure. which has received = more
universal approval among southern statesmen than the
one have Just asserted and entertain apprehension
that il will be seriously questioned at the present time
find myself however. relieved from the necessity Of ex
amning critically, this branch of the subject from the
fact that the friends OF each plan OF scftement are agreed
upon the one point OF the admission Of California -
State Il is true that there who opposed 10
her admission upon constitutional grounds, and who
could not therefore, give their support to any measure Of
adjustment OF which this feature constituent pA
bu feel quite certain that the number who entertain
this extreme position is comparatively small With
the great majority Of those who have seriousy con-
general concurrence OF assent TO the admission Of Cali
lorna State. The point Of difference between the
friends Of the Missouri Compromise basis and the bill
an now considering far a. the admission Of Calfor
MIA 10 concerned. " limited 10 the question OF boundary
The former insist upon restricting her southern boundary
the latitude Of 30 deg 30 min and with srch resinc-
ton they would support her admission, otwnandnK