The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-15


Senators to discuss this matter. he would absolve
the Senator from his obligation TO renew the motion.
All he desired 10 say was, that he had shown his
disposition to avoid unnecessary discussion and to
proceed with the public business. The motion
then Withdrawn.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Massachusetts,, MIR. KING, and
Mr.. PRATT, continued the discussion, and the
question being taken on the motion to lay the mo-
ton to receive the petition on the table, was, by
yeas and nays, decided in the negative--yeas Ia,
Mr.. UNDERWOOD explained what would be
the practical effect OF granting the prayer Of the pc
utioners.
And the question being taken, the petition was re-
ceiveo and laid on the table.
cALIFoRsrA
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of the motion to refer the Presidents message and
the accompanying copy OF the constitution of Cali
lorna To the Committee on Territories, with in
structions TO report bill for her admission.
Mr.. DOUGLAS resumed his remarks. He said
that he believed that slavery had been abolished by
Mexican laws in the acquired territories; and that
competent authority. He considered that the r-
Irregularities attending the formation Of the Califor-
MIA constitution were the necessary consequences
of the want of action on the part of Congress in not
providing government for that country at the
last session. Congress responsible, and not
the people Of California He reeapitulated the eff
forts made at the last session to give government
TO California and commended that, if bill at that
"
the present unwise and unhappy difficulties could
exist. 1t defeated by the extreme Willnot pro-
visoists and Free-Soilers hand, and the ex-
treme South on the other.
Mr. ID. reviewed the history of the present
agitation, and attributed ii to the falsehood and
deception practised upon the people by deep and
designing men. The expression Of sentiments he
had made was the prompting of his own heart and
Judgment But his votes belonged to the people
he represented. He differed from his constituents
only III this particular He felt it to be his duty to
obey the sentiments of the people whose representa-
tive he was and his votes would be TO carry out the
wishes and opinions Of his constituents.
he paid glowing tribute to the patriotism and
high moral character displayed by the Senator from
Kentucky, (Mr. CLAy,) in his resolutions, and his
speech thereon.
He examined the objection urged against the ad-
mission OF California, that no census had been
taken. He contrasted the course of the South on
this objection now, and the of the sec
ton IN the case OF Florida, and commended that the
South was estopPed from urging this objection, by
their votes upon the admission Of Florida.
he denied that the people Of California, in
adopting State government, had been guilty Of
any usurpation. All men had an inherent right
to have government. When the treaty, by
which the territories were coded, was ratified the
government Of those people had been wrested from
them Congress failed to give them government,
and they had, in adopting government, but excr-
cised their inherent rights
He considered that the objection against the size
OF California was better founded He thought she
been Californian, he would have advocated the
formation of three States, instead Of one; and by
TINS means, they would have six Senators instead
Of two The time would come when she would be
divided; and he predicted that, if she be sent bach
and a territorial government given her, in one
year the North and South would change positions
Then she would come divided into three States
and would be supported by the North, while the
South would then insist on her being but one State
This would keep up the agitation, and he thought
the best mode of settling it would be to admit her
at once.
For the many alleged causes of complaint urged
by the South, disunien remedy. On all
just causes of complaint, his sympathy and voice
would be in behalf of the oppressed in all their
constitutional efforts for redress. He would not
and could not feel sympathy with any movements
without or destructive of the Constitution
MIR HALE obtained the floor and OH his mo-
ton, the subject was postponed till Tuesday.
Mr.. CLAWS RESOLUTIONS
MIR. BADGER moved and these resolutions were
postponed till Monday
THE COMPROMISE COMMITTEE.
Mr.. CASS said that yesterday he had consid-
cred the things which il was now known could not
be done, and what ought to be done. The fugitive
slave bill should be passed, and Congress should
Immediately frame and establish territorial gov
ernments for the Territories. This was one Of the
first things that should be done, or in a year we
will have them here, and the difficulties which now
present themselves TO the admission of California
lie was in favor Of the admission of California with
her present boundaries He agreed with all that
bad been said by the Senator from Illinois (Mr
DoueLAs) on this point Congress had, by its non
action In providing the people of California with
government, left hundred thousand persons ON
the Pacific coast in state which might have been
80 lar as Congress was concerned state of com
plete anarchy Asthe Senator from Illinois had said
every people had an inherent right of self govern
ment And the people OF California had done what
was right in forming that government for them
selves which Congress should have supplied.
lie then proceeded TO the examination Of the por-
sisted that California should not be admitted. and
contended that IL for the best interests Of the
South, and particularly for the peace and harmony
OF the country, that California should be admitted
at this session He also read that portion wherein
Mr. CALHOUN urges that TO settle the present diff.
cultics, Congress should pass n law upon the fuRi-
tive slave question, the North forbear attacks ON
slavery, and the Constitution 10 be amended 20 as
10 restore the equilibrium which has been
they could no longer remain together He
thought the purport Of this was, that unless these
conditions we're complied with the fate Of the Union
waa fixed.
Mr.. BUTLER explained that his colleague was
i'll and unable TO attend. lie (Mr. b. did not un-
derstand his colleagues speech as the Senator in
tcrpreted IL.
MIR. DOWNS said that he had not understood the
speech Of the Senator from South Carolina, as the
Senators from Michigan and Mississippi mir. CAss
and Mr.. FooTE) had interpreted u. He did not
think u was 40 understood by southern members.
Mr.. fOO1k said that he had Interpreted IL cor
rectly. and southern men agreed with him.
Mr.. DOWNS said the entire South, or the south
ern members generally, did not agree with tho
senator from MississiPpi, in HE construction Of
M. fooTE said the South generally did agree
with him IN his construction,
Mr.. BORLAND said he did not 20 understand
the speech
Mr.. RUsK said that he hoped the Senator from
Louisiana Mr.. Dowss) would not speak for tho
whole South.
Mr.. DOWNS said he spoke only for himself
What he meant 10 be understood az saying was,
that he bad not conversed with any southern man
Who bad 80 construed the speech Of tho Senator
from South Carolina.
Mr.. FoOTE said, II desired he could mention
names Of men who were willing 10 stand UP, aud
bear evidence Of their impressions OF that speech,
and they were men with whom he had consulted
before taking what he deemed necessary course
10 adopt in relation therein
Mr.. CASS resumed He said he could not sec
how any man could be mistaken 30 the purport
Of the speech, or could understand IL 10 mean any
thing bot that, IL certain conditions named In the
specch including tho amendment Of the Constitu-
tion were not complied with, no settlement could
be had, and the States must part company
lie could mot understand this idea Of securing a