Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-03-21

dency OF the question of admitting California.
Mr. Dodge, Of Iowa. / rise, NJ, Pres
ident. to defend my .elf as northern man
from South Carolina, Mr. BurLER.] I
have 10 say that, as a northern mau, or
rather as Senator from free State, have
invariably voted, w,lont fiinching or
hesitation, for every proposition that has
shown itself within these walls having
for its ohiec, government and law for the
people Of California. l voted, with bu,
five others, for the bill so ably and zeal
ously urged by the Senator from Tennes-
see, Mr. BELL. voted with and sus-
tained my friend and neighbor from Illi-
nois Mr. DoucLAs in his almos, super
human efforts at the last session 10 give
government, whether State, Territorial,
or Executive, to our mertoriou<, but
much neglected -citizens OH the Pa
cific coast. stood up and voted for the
amendment Of my friend from Wisconsin,
Mr. Waller, long after the eleventh or
f,ceifh hour, on the night Of the 81 Of
March last, by which the egis Of our con-
s,itution and laws was 10 be extended to
the people Of California. The gentleman
from South Carolina, and those who act
with him, were then willing 10 entrust the
President with the power TO appoint all
officers, Of every name and grade, in and
over California. No fear Of military pow
er or Executive usurpation then troubled
him or them; but now the President is as
sailed in no very measured terms for his
conduct in reference 10 California. Now,
sir, when the sovereign people have acted,
and have prohibited slavery in their con-
stitut,on, their admission, as a State into
this Union, sto be opposed on the grounds
that improper influences have been
brought to bear upon them TO effect this
result.
The mission to California Of Hon. T.
Butler King, Of Georgia, figures largely
in this discussion, and other matters arc
lugged in, to try and show that the people
Of California have formed their govern-
ment under some sort Of military duress.
Sir, it is a grave accusation, and those
who make or hint it, if they believe it to
be true, ought Immediately TO move an i'm
peachment Of Zachary Taylor in the House
Of Representatives and as a majority Of
that body and this are opposed TO him po-
litically, there would be no reason 10 ap-
prehend that he would be treated with un-
due leniency. The charge is a criminal
one, and if made, should be boldly made
and accompanied by action in the right
quarter. l do not believe it. / do not
think that any power short Of God could
influence, by dictation, such community
as that constituting majority Of the peo-
pie Of California. have not shadow Of
doubt that the constitution which they
have presented us is their own sponta.
neons work, the embodiment Of their own
sovereign will. Sir, as a friend 10 the
whole Union, and the Constitution in all
its parts, deeply regret the course taken
by the South in relation 10 the admission
Of California. Now that the question of
slavery has been decided within her lin
its By that tribunal from which, under our
form Of government, there is no appeal,
every section Of the Union ought, in my
humble judgment. To acguiesce.
Mr. President, i'll know the sentiments
Of the State which l in part represent. and
my own, am quite certain that we are not
fanaticsl on this vexed question Of slave
~; that We are not for infringing upon
the right. Of the people Of any Of the
States. Sir as middle man, standing as
! thought between the extremes Of the
Union, as one who although opposed to
slavery, has heretofore always opposed the
miscalled Wilmot proviso, have anx-
iously hoped that some fair settlement or
compromise Of this matter might be agreed
upon. l have therefore looked with fa-
vor upon the resolutions Of the Senator
from Kentucky, and have hoped that they
might form the basis Of some happy meas
ure that would restore good feeling in
Congress, and enable us to transact the
important business affairs of the people
for which we were sent here. Sir, do
not, | cannot regard the admission Of Cali
fornia as triumph over any section Of
the Union, nor do think il should be so
esteemed by any one. Why, sir, upon
almost every question Of governmental
col;cv-hayrinOf the question If slavAYv-