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

n,
proceed to action. II will require weeks, perhaps
months, of deliberate attention and active opera
ton TO do the things and pass the laws necessary
for the settlement of all the questions before the
Senate.
As far as his own opinion and conduct would go,
he should take such a course Of action and voting
shall bring the question of California per Sc be-
fore the Senate for action After the disposal Of
this In one way the other, then the territorial
bills should be taken up and considered.
The Senator from Kentucky, (Mr: CLAy) who
presented to the Senate series OF resolutions,
should have opportunity OF replying to the sew
| eral objections urged against his propositions.
| This a courtesy which should be extended to
| any one and especially due to him. The Senator
| from Tennessee MIR. BELL) should also have an
opportunity reply to the objections urged against
| his resolutions.
He was for advocating any restraint upon debate;
| but he suggested to the Senate whether ii were
| proper TO go on discussing these several PROPOSE
that is. taking them up alternately-and for
| each TO make speeches upon all, and that, too,
| without any prospect of coming TO any result?
| He was toi taking up something that was prac-
teal, and, If necessary, debate that There were
practical questions which they might consider.
The first of these was the motion made by the SEN
ator from Missouri, (Mr. BEsroN,) to instruct the
Committee on Territories to report bill for the
admission of California, unconnected with any
other subject. But before the Senate had arrived
at any conclusion on this motion, bill had been
reported by the Committee on Territories. That
bill now before the Senate. He would suggest
to the Senate that the true course TO pursue to
take up this bill, reported by the committee de-
bate it, consider il, and either pass II reject it.
He had particular objection to taking vote on
| the proposition Of the Senator from Mississippi
(Mr FooTE.)
| He was for acting on the California bill He was
| ready to vote upon it. He was ready for acting
the Territorial bills. He ready To vote on all
the propositions to amend those bills. There was
nothing they could do, he thought, that would be
80 satisfactory TO the country-that would go so far
| to remove apprehensions from the minds of men
led hat he had ACT IN he
| California bill and on the Territorial questions.
Such was his opinion and his action, and his votes
| would be i'll accordance with that opinion. Let
| the Senate act upon California. His mind was
| made up, as was, doubtless, that of nearly all
| others. Then take up the Territorial bills, and
| let majority of this body pass upon them.
| He was OF opinion that upon those measures
| a majority of the Senate would come to a concu-
sion exceedingly satisfactory TO the lovers OF peace
and harmony and the prosperity Of the country.
He was unwilling that the present state of things
1 the other side of the Atlantic should come re-
| marks injurious to the character of our Govern
ment; unwilling that it should be said that this
| great constitutional Government-this Government
which is of the people-could not go on, and that
| the experiment OF mans self government had
| failed.
He free to admit that he did not expect any
harmonious action any of the great subjects be-
fore Congress till this disturbing one settled.
There other subjects of deep Importance to all
sections, and to the centre, which demanded ac-
ton. he despared oil any wise, COnSldefate, Just
action upon them till this disturbing one was dis
posed of. He wanted TO have it settled, and settled
on constitutional grounds. He asked no conces-
sions, he wanted no new platform, no new COM
| promises but he wanted that it should be settled
| on the Constitution. The Constitution was wide
| enough, was broad enough, to comprehend the
| whole subject. They had the power-they, the
Senate, if governed by kind and paternal feelings,
| can settle all the difficulties, and that too, in a
| manner satisfactory to the extreme North well
as the extreme South, and to the whole country
from ocean to ocean.
| Mr. FOOTE said that he was sorry TO differ from
the Senator any point. He agreed with the
Senator on many OF the points In the speech Just
uttered, but differed with him particularly one.
He thought the Senator had mistaken the course of
events in the Senate that the Senator had forgotten
| or misunderstood the historical facts. What was
the first practical measure introduced into the Sen
ate at this session! His (Mr. FooTE's) territorial
bill The first practical measure introduced in the
Senate the territorial bill on the
table, and which was reported back few days ago
| by the Territorial Committee. Why then should
not that bill be entitled TO first consideration! Was
there any thing sacred in the soil of California,
any thing in the character Of her people, which
| should give California precedence OF New Mexico
and DesereR Is the admission Of California so inn
portant to the peace of the country, the
Element Of the territorial governments for Desc
| ret and New Mexico? He thought the latter were
the object of greater anxiety to the patriot and the
lover Of harmony and compromise. He thought the
Senator from Massachusetts believed il TO be So for
in the great speech made by that Senator he prefer
mitted all mention of California, and devoted al
his speech to the Territories.
The admission of California at this session was nc
longer question of doubt; it a fixed fact, and
| ascertained thing. Where then the necessity for
speedy action: II was not by any GER
tain that the Wilmot provso would not be adopted
in the Territorial bills. He wished that there was
as great certainty that the Wilmot proviso would
not be adopted, as there was that California would
be admitted.
He was fully convinced, after conversing with
ms in and NJ he fl.f
no separate and distinct measure, for the admission
| OF California, could pass through both houses OF
Congress bill for that purpose, passed after the
settlement Of the Territorial bills, one framed
with Territorial bills and passed together a gem
eral scheme Of compromise, could be adopted east
ly, and would be satisfactory to all. But the ad
mission Of California, without any settlement of the
Territorial bills, would produce feeling Of deep
discomfort, and would be looked upon n degra-
dation by the people OF every State south Of Mason
and Dixon's line.
| He had read with pleasure n speech made in
another place by southern Wing, (Mr MAE
SHALL, Of Kentucky,) which breathed the true
spirit That gentleman had taken the ground ],
that he warmly and deyotedly attached TO
the admission Of California, and he would vote
cheerfuly and willingly for the bill; but if IL
| attempted 70 pass such bill and leave the terri
torial question open and unsettled; he would resist
| IL by every means in hs power. This was the true
doctrine. II was the doctrine Of every true Of
| the South who was not stupid, who not a
traitor He spoke generally, and could not be called
TO order. He particularized no one. If the Sem
| ator from Massachusetts would endeavor TO obtain
the sentiments Of others, he would learn that bill
| for the admission Of California pass Congress
till this subject Of the Territorial governments is
settled Ifit could be done, il would dissolve this
| Union. The South would not and could not expect
| then that there would be honorable settlement
| OF the territorial questions. There men
| enough, he would not say where, who, If Cali
fornia be admitted, would suddenly discover that
the non-action policy Of the Administration was
the best, and, banding together, would defeat all
Efforts TO give governments 10 the Territories and
| urge on the people Of New Mexico and Deseret 10
frame State constitutions, and then be admitted into
the Union AZ two additional free States. There was
| such scheme now on foot, and he had evidence of
IL in his possession. Wasthe Senator from Massa-
chusetts willing that he should be, no matter how
unconsciousIy, alder and abettor in such a
| schemeY
Why, if this be the natural result Of things should
| the compromise committee be opposed Why
should il not be raised that II might devise and
port TO the Senate general plan for the settlement
Of all the questions
Mr.. WEBSTER said that he was quite incredu.
lous 10 all predictions Of dissolution Of this Union