The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-17


ton, here and claim to be admitted, unless
waive and adopt such acts OF usurpaion will not say
that Congress may not make precedent TO subserve
present interests, and forward the views OF political prop
agandsts but. in doing so, they recognise the danger
Gus power OF usurpation--one which may be we'll
ceived when rebounds to the advantage Of msiory,
minority II southern shareholders had done the same
thing, and had not prohibited slavery In California any
constitution which they might have presented, their acts
ton rejected There wonderful difference between the
dcialion OF the strong and the suggestions of the weak
The course pursued by California, # recognised and
70 the security OF the people OF this country Why upon
the same doctrine, you may have dozen States applying
next year TO come In upon the ground that they have
formed constitutions under the sanction OF this precedent
ay, Minnesota; but Minnesota has now a territorial gov
ernment-Nebraska is Recognised Territory Deseret
New Mexico and two or three States in Texas may come
here by their delegations, with constitutions in their
hands, and knock al your door Tor admission and claim
to do so, without having consulted Congress, under
the very precedent you are about 70 establish
have heard sir, OF the danger of the plan OF the Eng
lsh power OF making peers when they wanted voters
The power OF issuing patents OF nobility by royal prerog
alive has been rarely abused in England; il has often
been dreaded, and at times resisted ministry
wanting power will always be under strong temptation
to resort to it, and in some instances have abused II TO
the prejudice OF public liberty.
The power now claimed Of making new States under
the spontaneous action OF the people Of Territory IS
foreign to the constitution but when is recoected that
this power must Be under the influence q executive sug
the departments OF this government that must always be
under strong influence to give itself strength hsto
cal popularity or eren ephemerai popuarny-it is time
we should look to consequences
do not say that The present Executive and his cabinet
have been influenced by such considerations have no
reason to suppose But ask, who may not be
tempted to take advantage OF them hereafter He that
makes precedent OF to-day ought TO look to its conse
quences in the history OF Tomorrow. wish that It
in the power OF to-day to the consequences
Of tomorrow. | hope may say that plant myself
upon principle; sure act from personal resent
ment objections lcerainy can have no personal mo-
tive to reject the constitution OF California, or to oppose
those who here under its authority. do not know
the representatives; and my knowledge OF the senators
: entirely prepossessnS more anan 1a, lwers
senators elect is from my State and il must be
coded that he is gentleman OF enterprise and ability
and the trust reposed in him is worthy commentary
from those who have sent him here The other gentle
man is not unknown 10 Legislative history, and has
claim our favorable consideration. Indeed, have
to disrust them, individually in any of our
controversies On the contrary, would trust Them to
morrow, whilst would trust to the precedent that
would give their successors power hereafter.
majority rarely Indifferent to the counses OF expe
diency and when personal influence is brought in
powerful auxiliary, expedency usually prevails. see
its influence now and see those urging this measure
that once looked upon California with scorn. have al
ways regarded her as requiring the moulding influence
OF territorial government than any other and am
consistent in saying now that she has right to other
and 10 submit TO any other would be to submit TO the
Wmot Proviso, under its most dangerous sanctionsun
der sanctions that make precedent dangerous and
paralleed in the history Of the country, and one which
majority alone can resist, and which minority is
called submit TO violation OF usage, precedent and
constitutional obligation Should these measures go on,
they must have result-a result for which cannot an
far as regards the southern States The
confederates that will come into the conederacy may
have southern anites and may be willing oppose
the Justice Of constitutional prescription But they cannot
part. They will 60 to swell malority--even now
without veto control, and. almost from necessity, will
have act with it. And when that the constituents
oft m of
war upon southern institutions would not be faithful
sentinel were not to raise my voice. What influence it
rights. and if they not degenerate, they will maintain
them They avow-and will, think, put everything to
hazard to maintanthe doctrine OF equality Yes, sir,
equaityI repeat it, equality That is sentiment not
depending the cold definition OF selfish logic The
southern people wish TO have opportunity, under the
obligations Of honor to engage as equals in all wars in
all struggles for national aggrandlzemen and believe
that, in eligibility, they not be looked upon in
ferors other aspanis, and that they have the same
rights they had when their ancestors formed the
They never can acquesce in the doctrine which north
majority attempting TO force upon themhat in all
future acquisitions OF territory, as well as that which has
been acquired they 10 be excluded under any impli
cation that they equally WORTHY with those who
assume superiority over them. II there should be
war, they wish to have share in its hazards and its
nmphs But under the doctrines that have been avowed
how they take commissions. or enlist soldiers 10
carry for their degradation and disfranchise-
menti
South takes the 'front.' and has its ranks thnned by the
ntrepdlty of its movements; the fuller ranks OF its
northern associate claims all the honors, far they
be conferred by the federal government ALI the e
forts in Congress to prohibit slavery from the Mexican
Territories are made to establish doctrine-a doctrine
under which southern institutions must not only crum-
ble but under which southern must be made TO
derstand that hereafter they hold their franchises by su
ferance; and that, far IL regards the high fed
eral honors, they are to be excluded, unless they
quiesce in northern afiines, and, indeed, unless
they acknowledge northern doctrines and seek pre-
ferment through northern influence Can such a gov
OF irresponsible despotism sustained by popular
professions and the yielding facility OF ephemera dema
gogues. Degeneracy and deserton may be the elements
OF such results That calculation has been made from
high quarterscan suppose II will not be Tefuted Jus
tce may obviae the anticipated results to which have
alluded. and now close with this remark Gentlemen
OF the majority, you may presume too much the name
oil the Unon you have II in your power TO preserve IT,
and If i is destroyed it will be by blind temerty or
BY selfish design. thought foresaw, and more than
once have said that these acquisitions OF territory would
bring with them The elements OF discord, to put in eo
pardy this Union Our duty Is TO look to the future
and not to the past and the future developments OF the
country will make an eventful history.
Mr. BADGER desire, sir, to state difficulties
which feel in voting for the instructions moved by the
honorable senator from Missouri, by which the Commit
tee Territories Is 10 be directed to bring in bill for
the admission Of the State OF California into the Union
say difficulties which, they must now prevent me
from supporting those instructions, also, unless
they can be satisfactorily removed in my mind prevent
me, in any future stage Of this proceeding from voting
for the admission Of that State What Thave 10 state
Mr. PRESIDENT has been IN part referred to by the honor
onnfnr frofnG 1s.fh ,l.r, H..