The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-02-05
The PRESIDENTS CALIFORNIA; message.


or readers few days since, but as it was at the
time published without editorial notice, we think it
due to its transcendent importance, State docu-
ment, that we should now recur to il.
Owing to the failure BY Congress at its last ses-
Esion 10 establish law organizing civil Govern
ment in California, the present Administration on
coming into power found that Territory in precisely
the condition in which it was at the date of the
treaty Of Guadalupe Hlalgo to wit: Under the
government of military commandment exercising
civil functions. President Taylor thought it best
not to disturb that arrangement until Congress
should take some action on the subject
This state of things, anomalous and extraordinary
in the history Of our Government has continued up
to the present time. Our Californian possessions,
however, have suffered no Serious detrinent from it,
Thousands and tens Of thousands of adventurous
and enerprising men, from every class of our pop
ulation and from every portion Of the Union, have
been attracted thither by the immense mineral
treasures of that country and owing to their love
OF law and order and of order even without lava
sentiment which seems TO abide Inherently in the
bosom Of every American freeman-they now ex-
hibit to the world a condition, under the circum-
stances Of things, Of remarkable prosperity. And
the current Of emigration still flows, and will
tinue to flow with undiminished force in that direc
ton, until California will exhibit population of
freemen vast in numbers and unsurpassed in indus
try, enterprise and intelligence. This is their des
tiny. 1t cannot be otherwise, with or without the
protecting care Of the national Union.
Being dependency, in fact the property, by
purchase, Of the United States, the admission of
California in the form Of State into the nion has
the people Of the States and Of their national Legis
lature. With this subject has been connected the
exciting question of slavery and to such extent
has this question been pressed in Congress and
throughout the nation, that the most intelligent and
patriotic of citizens begin to experience appre-
hensions for the safety of the Union.
When the discussion Of this question was
fined to the infatuated Aboitionsts in the non
slaveholding States, or to memorials to Congress
from the same quarter, no particular injury
done--no serious apprehensions felt; but now it
has assumed different attitude. In the progress
Of things, the Federal Government has become pos
sessed Of vast tracts Of new territory. This terri
tory has been occupied with astonishing rapidly
BY our hardy, bold and enterprising population. Al
ready they are making preparations for admission
States into the fraternity OF glorious Union
and the question is expected soon to be placed d.
recdy before the Congress of the nation, to
whether this territory shall be admitted with or
without the institution of slavery.
But, anticipating this event, the Wilmot Proyiso
resolutions-now famous throughout our own coun-
Try and every portion of the civilized world which
takes any interest in the history of the American
Union-have, for several sessions, been brought
hafnr o1lt .r1
the principle Of involuntary servtude in all new
Territories that may hereafter seek admttanoe into
the Union. They have received, with scarcely a
single exception, the support of the members from
the free States, while they have been as unani-
mously opposed by the members from the slave
States. These resolutions, though involving nothing
but principle, have constituted the great battle
ground between the North and the South and the
combatants have become more heated and the war
fercer the point Of time, when the question is to
assume a really practical shape, more nearly ap-
proaches. Members Of Congress, both in the House
Of Representatives and in the Senate go to the
Federal Capitol instructed never to reeede from
their respective positions; and no one, at all ac-
quainted with the history of the question: can think
recession by either party possible so long as the
question itself remains open.
In every large assembly there are some rash men
-hot-headed men-men who are restless except in
an exeitement-men ambitious of distinction, with
little care as to the manner in which il is attained
There are now many such, in our own Congress-
both from the North and the South. This Wilmo
Proviso question is a godsend to them by it they
are raised fame, and their names resound through
the columns of all the party or sectional newspa-
pers, of corresponding views, throughout the land
Such men have done damsge-they are now in.
fleeing injury on the country ba. no; from the
efforts of such as they that $50 G..s apprshensons
are to be entertained for the safely Of the Union.
There are men Of a different stamp, of deserved
renown, who have received the applause of The ma
ton for their talents and their services, who have
been looked to as The guardians Of law, of liberty
and of the Union, who now appear as chiefs
among the agitators of this question: who are
ready, or ANXIOUS to force it 10 precipiiale issue
who in short, announce their cheerful readiness
10 incur the consequences Of dissolution Of the
Union. When, at the time the whole public mind
is IN a state of ferment on this subject, such men
take this position before the country, the question
of dissolution, whether we would avoid it or not, is
brought, with alarming porleni, directly before the
eyes Of the nation
1t is for the people TO say whether the Union of
the States-our glorious Union, secured by the toll
and blood Of our iathers-the Union under which,
as people, we have enjoyed all the blessings which
civil government can bestow--a Union under which
we have grown TO power and prosperity unparal-
leled in the history of nations-whether this Union
has now so little value that an effort should not be
made to save it.
For ourselves we can say that we place conf
dence in The intelligence and patriotism of the great
body of the people-of the people, North, South,
East and West The eloquent sentiment of great
Liberty and Union, now and forever,
1ne and iuseparable," abides in the bosoms of by
far the largest portion of the American people; and
i is this sentiment of loyalty to the Union, az Of
owe for our liberties, that, when the crisis does
some, will preserve inviolats the federal compact
Seeing the great necessity for an early aud deci.
i've settlement of this agitating question, the PTes
lent, in his executive character and as the repre-
sentative head of the people of the whole Union,
earnestly recommends to Congress that California
shall, on application, be received into the Union as
A State, provided her plan of government is repub-
iean in its character and in compliance with the
requirements of the Notwithstanding TO the
citizens Of California themselves the settlement OF
the question to the existence of slavery Il ere
ihisis the true ground; it is American, and emf
nenily patriotic. Upon this ground the North and
south may unite and harmonic, without dishonor
10 either, and with safety to the Union. econ.
nected, as the Union is,'' concludes the message.
hAa l. IL