Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-13
ADMISSION OF CALIFORNIA.
Ii SENATE, FaIDAr, ApRIL 5.


resolutions committee of thirteen MEMBERSHIP pending
question being upon amendment proposed by Mr. BALD
except from the reference much relates to the
admission Of California Into the Union as q State
Mr.. SHIELDS Mr. President, it not my intention,
when this debate commenced take any part in it. had
the vanity suppose that any thing could say would
contribute the slightest degree, to the work OF conclauon
and felt extremely anxious could do good, to abstsn
at all events from doing any injury But sir, the discussion
has become general and many have participated in IT,
that fear remain any longer SILENT my silence may %
msconstrued, and my course misunderstood and tnat
due to myself and my constituents to make few
observations and promise that these observations VIII be tne
honest convictions Of my mind.
The Senate hardly yet recovered from the effects Of
its great Death has bereaved hsbody Of OF
uous members This bereavement will be long tef IN
this Senate and city, town. hamlet throughout this
broad land from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, Sir one Of
the great lights continent has been exnguishd One
Of the most brilliant stars OF our political galaxy mas dlsaP
peae The thst shed its luste not only the proud
and noble State Of South ona but this whole couny
has been removed from sight, translated trust to higher
and purer region, to shine in brighter tmament Sir
with feelings subdued and deer by this sad event that
enter morning upon the simple and humble duty Of de-
nng my poon, and explaining the motives that will govern
my future action in this body upon the delicate questions
now under consideration.
The State Of illinois, which have the honor in part
represent has thought proper TO give instructions for my
guidance and the subject OF slavery IN the
Territories recognise the full right Of my State to give me
such Instructions and consider TO be my duty as one OF
the Senators that State, obey hem regard the will
Of INV State when fairly expressed as political trust which
my duty discharge n good faith, if can do SO with
out any violation Of the constitution Of my country Inc
resolutions the Legislature Of Illinois instruct me to vote for
the application Of the Wmot provo to all the territories ac
qured by the late with Mexico. These resolutions
consider constitutional and such, is my duty to obey
them Ia my humble opinion the Congress of the United
States has full power and authority govern all the Terrific
RES including the District Of Columbia, in all respects what
soeer including the introduction and The exclusion OF sa-
very subject to no limitation or restriction, except that
tho tittion of Initpd
words believe that Congress exercise all
control the Territories which not in conflict with the
provisions Of the constitution cannot understand the agu
have heard urged in this chamber that Congress can
declare war; conquer country subugate people, and
both country and people TO the United Saes ana yet
that has power govern them after they have been an
nexed Upon this principle Cong can destroy govern
men but replace it annex people, but cannot
govern them regulate territory, but cannot regulate
the peoples govern the land and the habtaons but can
govern the inhabitants of the Territories. Sir, there
something incomprehensbe in this argument something
SO unreasonable this proposition, that cannot believe it.
or accept it, the authority Of any man, however dsn-
guished statesman. But do not wish to pursue this
argument any further have merely alluded to this matter
for the purpose of declaring that regard the instructions
CONSTITUTIONAL and that it is my duty well as my deter
mination, to obey them.
Sir in saying this do wish be understood laying
down any rule for the government of others in similar
merely wish to prescribe rule in this particular for
my governmenand that is to obey constitutional IN
srucons resign This, take it. is good, honest old
fashioned democratic rule upon which stand and act
with honor and safety. &#
It win be readily perceived that this restriction upon my
action will prevent from giving support to the esou-
tons now under considerations to any compromise on the
question of slavery in the Territories. little afraid OF
this committee of thirteen any how. hardly think it can
do any good and am afraid it may do much injury. In
my opinion the mind Of every member Of this Senate has
been long made up all these questions great Senate
rial committee like this will excite great public expectation,
and this expectation be disappointed the effect may be
tremey prejudicil.
/ Mr.. FOOTE, (nterposing.) wish TO make single
suggestion to nv honorable friend that be has misunderstood
the motion which have had the honor present. "com
promise is mentioned; adjustment is the word. And,
if he is in favor Of adjusting the questions, he must 60 for
| the motion.
Mr. SHIELDS. Well, sir, I am not so critical perhaps
in my knowledge Of words as my honorable friend from Mis-.
ssspp and will change the word compromise for the word
adjustment. However, in acting under the instructions OF
my Stae am determined to act in good faiths and there
fore, cannot support the proposition Of my honorable friend
from Mississippi for what he calls the "adusment OF these
questions, any of the propositions of compromise be-
tore the Senate But sir, while this is the case, am far
from thinking that it my Duty Senator from Illinois,
knowing do the spirit and patriotism Of the people of
that State stand here place and wage war OF herce
denuncaon against this and other proposition which
have been maured and brought forward by the highest
minds Of this body for the settlement and adjustment of
unfortunate difficulties would be especially unworthy Of
who have been the recipient of the generous though
perhaps unmered sympathy Of this whole country, to con-
tribute my puny efforts this body TO widen the breach be-
tween North and the South, and excite the passions
and peudices of one Of this great country against
another think ought 10 be Of the las: OF living
to be guilty of such conduct.
Sir, have seen Northern and Southern stand
together shoulder shoulder in many struggle have
Northern and Southern BIZ cd mingle many field.
have Northern and Southern follow the glorious
standard of country victory and many
victory. And with all these recollectons still around
would consider myself criminal to take advantage of my
position hate and anmosy between brethren
Of the couHy, having the glorious history and the
destiny, the pride in the past and the
hope for the future especially sincerely believe that
the very engaged in this unfortunate controversy
would TO If necessary, unite in common struggle
for their country against hostile world SIR have
sympathy communion of feeling with those who
employ their energies in exciting and maddenng portion
OF their counrymen against another have and felt
the and wrecbedness that have followed the OF
such unhallowed eors n other lands and persuaded
that similar result would attend the OF such efforts
here Yes s the full and complete Of these unhoy
efforts here would be the ruin of this Republican
the destruction Of the great temple of American liberty
Mr. President regret to that the proceedings of Con-
ress during the session have been by
extraordinary passion and excitement. Crmnaons, in.
vectivss, and personalities have often dfgued de-
hates and have threatened bring
INTO angry personal collision. These onous indications
ia the American Congress, and particularly American
Senate wneh has been uniformly distinguished heretofore
Tor the dgry, poprey, and decoum of its proceedings
But sir not only here but throughout the whole
the indications seemed oninous of impending evil
The North was in state Of perfect apathy, while the South
was ia state of furious excitement The North goI
lying the vittnes OF the Wmot proiso, while the South
organizing the southern States and preparing assemble
great Southern Convention Nashville could have
purpose mean 10 practical purpose, but the dsolu
ton OF this Union practical purpose, because hold