The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-04

the commenc ement of the next session, all opinions
of the Attorney General o. .he onl.ed states de-
construction TO public laws not of a temporary
NJ. McGAUGHEY objected; and the resolution
Mr. THOMPSON, of Pennsylvania, moved that
the House go into committee on the Census bill
Mr. DANIEL moved that the House go into Com
nittee Of the Whole on the private calendar; say
ing that this had priority
The SPEAKER, however, decided that the spe-
cial order the Census bil-had priority
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Pennsylvania, moved that
when the House adjourn to-day, it adjourn to meet
on Monday.
The question was decided in the negative-yeas
90, nays9l
The House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union--Mr. THOMPSON,
of Mississippi, in the char-and resumed the con-
sideration of the
CENSUS BILL.
large number of amendments were voted on,
until about three O'Clock, when
Mr.. WILMOT obtained the floor, and expressed
desire to address the committee upon another
subject.
By unanimous consent, the census bill was laid
aside, and the message of the President, including
the constitution Of the
STATE or CALIFORNIA,
was taken up, to enable the gentleman to express
Mr.. w. said that the debate on the subject and
the questions incidentally connected with il, which
had been so long protracted, in his judgment had
been productive of wonderful results. There was
now disclosed to the country the settled and fixed
purpose Of the southern men. There was no room
for doubt in the mind of any man as to the deter
mination ON their part to extend the institution of
slavery over the territories This avowed and de.
clared purpose was the best justification, if any
were necessary, for maintaining the ground on
which, from the first, he stood. If there here
tofore any room for doubt, there none no
longer. 1t was conceded on all sides that the
principle of the non extension of slavery is not an
idle abstraction, and leading practical result
Except the protracted conflict which gave birth
TO the nation, none has arisen and none will arise
in subsequent history, SO fraught with evil and
pregnant with consequences TO the country, as the
ultimate decisions of the question in hand, which
Is to determine the character and position of the
southern portion OF the country. And it will set
tie another question whether the Government is
TO be administered in the spirit which gave it BIRTH
or whether 1t is to be administered by an aristo.
cracy based ON slave property and slave represen-
tation. This is involved in the controversy 1t
is in this spirit that it has been viewed by the
South; and on the part of southern men the debate
has been conducted in spirit bordering almost on
madness. They embraced by no sacred ties of
devotion to the Union, but stand bound together as
one man for the accomplishment of their object and
that object the perpetuation of slavery. There
disguise. The existence of the Union and the sta
biliy the Government are by the South
They have said that if their policy shall Be thwarted
the Union shall be dissolved and our Government
oyerthrown In his judgment, this spirit Of threat
enlng and defiance must be resisted, they (the
northern men) are the worst of slaves What shall
the line Of their duty be prescribed under the pres
sure Unreasonable threats Shall they be told what
they shall and shall not do, at the peril of the exist
ence OF the Government itself? If they submit to
THIS they are no longer freemen here, and the prin-
cipes OF the Government are undermined.
Congress may admit new States,' is the clear
and unequivocal language Of the Constitution; and
yet (said Mr. W We are told if presume TO
exercise this clear and admitted power, without
making certain concessions to the slave interest
measures of a revolutionary character shall be re-
sorted TO, and the ordinary supplies of the govern
ment withheld, and the yeas and nays called in
defiance of parliamentary law and usage, until the
end OF the present session Of Congress Is this the
change on which freemen meet for the discussion
OF important questions; or the theatre in which
slaves are taught their duties and obi cations One
who had been listening to the debates would have
thought the latter and the question is to be tested
Shall we acknowledge that powers of this govern.
ment shall be exercised agreeably 10 the Constitu-
ton, or shall band of conspirators set IL al def
anceS
We are told that if we do 90 and 80 this Union
shall be dissolved, and the Government ov erthrown
up his ,,ott OBEY Il sounded like the crack
vi the whip. The man who submits is better fitted
Tor the plantation than for service in this hall.
What Is the aristocracy of shareholders not con-
tent with their share of power in the Constitution
but must claim absolute control of the Govern
nent he understood this to be their position.
what was more arbitrary and improper than TO
an acquiescence 10 the will Of the minority?
The South say that there is no constitutional
power to pass the proviso. The North think there
Is, and have their opinions well fortified. They
beleve, under God, that il is their duty TO pro-
hibt slavery in the Territories; and yet they were
told, that II they dare do it, the Government must
De oyerthrown Yea; the Government must be
overtnrown II the Interpretation given TO the Con-
sutution by Southern men be disregardedl IL a
minority can fix and give authoritative con-
sruction TO the Constitution, then the Government
becomes despotism, and is converted into an
aristocracy.
The great champion of the South mir. CAL
HOUND scorned all indirection and circumlocu-
ton. He marched boldly TO the object aud pro-
posed an amendment to the Constitution, to place
the Government in the hands Of a minority II
could be seen and understood; and being seen
the people Of the free States rejected the PROPOSE
ton. Yet demands are made upon the North more
Objectionable than those Of the deceased statesman
great fundamental principle is 10 be subvert-
ed, let II be put down in the Constitution Let the
prerogatives OF our masters be clearly defined; let
the subject learn the policy by which they are to
be governed. lie the acquescence TO the behests Of
the minority the tenure by which we hold our iber-
ties, and Ia the Government to be preserved by
submitting 10 an Interpretation Of the Constitution
whlch certain gentlemen wish to force upon US,
lie wished TO sec whether freemen would dare TO
stand up 10 conscientious discharge of duty; and
tins position OF the South is 10 drive men from the
position oehoerately assumed by the North. What
ever may be the case now, there was a time when
the North were united on this question
When Congress assembled in December last. he
dio not believe there were five individuals in favor
Of mixing up any other questions with the admis-
slon OF California. There was but one sentiment
at the North on this subject. The admission of
California was demanded BY the voice Of ali. Here
The North were TO take firm stand-not 10 be
driven from II by threats, nor seduced by prom
ises. How stands the matter to-day God only
KNOWS! But If the confident declaration Of the
south can be relied on the friends Of California are
now in the minority. California IL TO be compro-
missed, and the process Of her admission is the
extension of slavery over the Territories. This
~ the contemplated arrangement. He trusted
~ God 1t would not be contaminated. II the
Noith prove recreant now, on this question
"here, he would ask, DO they propose 10 make a
inani1i resistance against the threats and exorbi
taht demands oil the slave power The North have
peen orNen from one point To another; and If they
do not stand by California, he should like 10 know
on what ground they will take their portion Tho
admission Of California, with free Constituted
ought not 70 be embarrassed with any other subject
matter. Even the southern men do not depy The
power to admit California. Then let us (said Mr.
VIZ march up 70 the performance Of our duty In
this respect Shall the PRIDE and naughty bearIng
and designs on the port Of the SOUTH drive ia from