The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-22

accordance with the desire OF the PeoPie VI
Deseret s,4 800 fi.er =
He knew little of the Mormons as a distinct
people, and cared less But he knew that they
were Americans; and, as such were entitled to our
protectien as were any other American commu-
nifty. During the Mexican war the Mormons
were called upon TO fight the battles of the coun-
try, and had discharged that duty as satisfac-
torily as any other American troops. The war
being over, we were now told that they are
sMormons.
He feared that the result of the application Of
MIR. Smith to represent New Mexico as a terrific
rial delegate, would initiate against the cause of
Deseret. Gentlemen voting against the applica-
ton, to appear consistent, would be prone TO vote
against Mr.. Rabbit; and others, being dish cart
ened by that result would fail to exert themselves
otherwise they might, for the admission Of
Babbitt These people asked no privileges de-
manding merely that their delegate might be
seated in the Hall to give advice to Congress !;
and he went on to show the necessity for his pre-
sence here, by referring to the important informa-
ton which the delegates from Oregon and Mime
sofa had given to the House Deseret was so
surrounded by hostile Indians as to force upon
Congress the duty of looking more closely to her
Indian affairs than usual.
Mr.. VENABLE next addressed the committee,
saying
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: regretted last evening that |
was too unwell to address the committee, and
very cheerfully surrendered the floor TO gentlemen
who desired TO discuss the subject now under
consideration. do not intend to tire the patience
Of the committee with speech Of an hour, but
merely to submit few considerations which shall
control my vote on this occasion. And here
shall at once disclam any purpose to discuss this
sectional question A gentleman from Ohio,
(Mr. Roor,) on yesterday informed us that, I'M
fortunately, many of those who started well, and
promised much in the vote for the delegate from
New Mexico, tired on the way, and were missing
on the final vote He complained much that an
appeal majority Of fifteen dwndled down, on the
final vote, to minority of ten. He promised to
smoke them out. That is his enterprise, sir, |
have no interest in. :" Non nosirnm tantas com
pOnere Htes." | will not be induced to discuss
this as sectional question. will not follow
the lead of gentlemen who mingle the slavery
question with this dry matter Of law. l voted
against the admission Of the delegate from New
Mexico, whose inhabitants have made an effort to
adopt constitution excluding slavery l shall
vote against the reception of the applicant from
Deseret, whose constitution does not exclude
slavery. i am gratifed to remark that many gen.
tlemen from the North voted, on yesterday,
against the admission Of the applicant from New
Mexico. It was pleasure to see that there were
gentlemen from that region who could vote with
out reference to sectional feeling. For once, at
least, principle seemed to achieve victory, and l
trust, it is but one of series Of triumphs which
desire of Justice shall secure, in the progress of
which has been so signally INSTRUCTED
in the portion of the session which has passed. Sir,
it is dry matter oflaw whether weadmit the appli-
cant as delegate. TO ascertain who is a delegate
we must 60 to the law which gave the name and
assigned his duties. If we do this, we see by the
law of 1917, reference was made to the ordinance
of 1887, by which, under the old Confederation,
the Northwest Territory, by that ordinance
organised into government, was entitled to dele
gate on the floor Of Congress- That ordinance
was treaty agreement entered into by the thir-
teen independent States; and the law of 1857 gave
to all territories then created by law, thereafter
to be organized into governments by Congress,
a delegate in the same manner.
The term delegate has a legal, statutory
meaning-and that meaning is person elected
for a territorial government organized by Con-
gress. 1t is not pretended that the claim Of the
applicant has any such foundation. am opposed
to the admission of Mr.. Rabbit, as delegate for
Deseret, because there is no such previous organ
ization as the law Of 1917 requires. There is no
precedent for such course, and therefore we are
without authority for such a measure. But the
gentleman from Illinois, Mr.. BIssELL,] remarked
that there was no necessity for precedent, that
Congress had the power to admit the applicant,
and could exercise that power. Igrant it, sir; but
Congress has the power to do many things, but it
is not always expedient TO do so. Discretion
must be sound, controlled not by caprice, but by
reason and propriety. What reason is there that
would justify us in making new chapter in our
history, in adopting new policy in this case.
Congress has the power to give any person at
theirediscretion, seat on this floor. But would
1t be pretended that in the exercise of that dscre-
ton, all persons should be thus admitted. Gen
tlemen speak of the necessity of having a dele
gate sent here to enlighten us, touching the in
terests Of the people Of Deseret. That can bedone
another way, without any violation to the laws and
usages of the country.
But, sir, where is this to stop? What popula-
ton, what amount Of interest shall entitle set
Element in the prairies delegate here. We
might doubtless be much entertained with the
history of Indian wars, bear fights, and buffalo
hunts, which are the uniform incidents of the no.
madic life of our enterprizing and moving popula-
ton. can assure the gentleman from Illinois,
(Mr. BIssELL,) that the applicant loses nothing,
in my estimation, of his claim to seat here; that
he represents a Mormon community. No, sir,
the religious tenets Of that remarkable people do
not enter into the elements of my opposition to
the seat Of Mr.. Rabbit on this floor. To Jews,
Turks, Christians, or Mormons, would award
the same right, and the same privileges, and
could not perceive the necessity Of his appeal to
us in order to avoid the effect of out of door in
fuences, created by prejudices against the Nor
mons. know nothing of them but the extraor-
binary fact that they have power Of organiza-
ton which can collect the idle, the vicious, and
the unproductive, and make in a short time
a most prosperous community. There is some
thing to be admired in that result at least
forbear any expression of opinion as to any
other matter connected with them or their faith.
But am sure that no person in this house would
be influenced in their vote by considerations
drawn from the religious creed of the Salt Lake
community. The gentleman speaks Of the Nor
mon regiment and the alacrity with which they
obeyed the call Of the country in the Mexican
war. This was true with regard to all portions OF
the country, and gives no peculiar rights to Them
1t is in vain that gentlemen urge the claims OF
the people of Deseret, because they have been
neglected by this Government That American
citizens are placed without the protection of the
law-that arm which protects all others is not
upheld for their safety Sir, if this were strictly
true, according to history, am gratifed to have
to say, that part of that responsibility attaches
to me, or to those, who in the last Congress, te-
naciously adhered to the rights of their section.
None can forget the scenes of the last night of
the last Congress. An amendment offered by
Mr.. WALKER, of Wisconsin, to the civil and
diplomatic bill, and which contained no discrimi-
nation against the South had passed the Senate
1t was rejected in this House. and an amendment