The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-26

gust Ia, 1850.
The House being in Committee of the Whole on
| the state OF the Union, and having under consider
alton the Presidents message upon the boundary
| of Texas
| Mr.. ASHMUN addressed the committee as fol-
| iows:
Mr.. CHAInMAN: very greatly desired that TIA,
| iiouse should, this morning, proceed to the de
| sPatch OF business which lies upon the Speaker
table, rather than to continue this debate in thu
| Committee of the Whole. Important bills, which
have been maturing, and have passed the Senate
are there awaiting our action; among them the bill
for the admission of California as a State and the
| bill providing for an adjustment of the boundary
| between Texas and New Mexico-commonly called
Mr. PEARcE's bill. 1t is high time that we should
come to some decision upon these important mea-
sures. The summer ls wellnigh gone; we have
had nine months debate upon the general subject
and the country clamorously calls upon us to dc
| something. For that reason moved that we should
proceed TO the despatch Of the business upon the
| Speakers table, Notwithstanding my right to the
Hoor IN case my motion failed. ! was less anxious
| 10 speak than to vote. But ma jority has decided
that the discussion should continue; and proceed,
| therefore, to give my views upon the bill for the
| settlement of the New Mexican boundary and the
| message of the President, which most urgently
calls our attention to the same subject.
And begin by saying that intend 10 give that
Dill my support; not because it is such bill as
would frame If 1t were in my power to control IT,;
for am free TO say that it does not meet my views
| IN some very important particulars. If il can be
! alnehded SO as 10 make the boundary line between
! Texas and New Mexico more nearly confornablc
to what was the ancient line of division, il would
| be much more acceptable, and am ready to vote
for such an amendment. But if it be found impos-
sbe to change the line shall not, for that reason
vote against the bill 1t is here, on our table, with
in our reach; and ! desire TO seize upon it as the
fret measure which, after nine months of agitation
seems to give promise OF progress towards settle
Incnt OF things. 1t demands, in my judgment, our
| immediate attention. We have debated lon ng
| enough. The winter has passed. and the sprin q
| and summer are nearly gone and nothing as vet
| has been done. Ii is high time that we were al
| home and that the country should be relieved from
the agitation which daily goes from this Capt.
| tol. Let us then, with that wisdom which should
govern the conduct OF practical men entrusted with
important political affairs, go at once to the busi-
ness OF voting upon this bill. Ii is the first in the
| series OF unsettled measures which urgently de-
| mand instant action; and cannot think that we
consult either our own duty, or the wishes Of the
! people OF the country, if we longer delay it.
Having thus alluded to this subject for the pur-
pose of declaring my purpose of sustaining the BILL
and intending again to return 10 consideration of
1t, j now proceed to the expression of my views
/ TO the policy and doctrines of the message which
was sent TO US by President Fillmore on the 9th of
! the present month.
| And, sir, am glad to say that most cordially
concur in the doctrines, the spirit, and the recon-
| mendations OF that message. Its spirit is that Of
conciliation; its recommen 5ations tend to speedy
adjustment OF an angry and dangerous contro-
vcrsy; and its doctrines those of the Constitu-
llOu luutSu, sir II llls Government can stand at
all, and be maintained Governments if the
| Union be any better than rope of sand; if it be
any thing more than loose partnership from
which any one OF the States may break as caprice
may suggest, then the doctrines of this message
must be acknowledged, respected, and acted upon.
! Without them we have no government, nor any
thing that deserves the name.
What, then, are these doctrines; and what is the
condition OF things that has demanded a decara-
ton OF them, and may call for their practical ap
| plicaton,
The President has informed that in kis judg.
mcnt, the Constitution and the laws have given
him the power 90 protect the rights Of tho United
States, and 20 enforce the execution Of tho laws
within our newly acquired territories, and protect
the people residing there, until Congress shall
provide some new organization of government
within them, or take such other action az shall
make suitable provision for them in conformity
with the treaty Of peace made with the Republic
of Mexico, the ratiicatious Of which we've ex-
changed May 80, 1885 and that, for the purpose of
giving this protection, and enforcing the execution
Of the laws, he may righuully employ the military
power Of the Government. He declares this TO be
properly within the limit Of his constitutional func
lions, and that the circumstances Of the case lead
10 the apprehension that IL may become his un-
pleasant duty 10 exercise that power This is the
doctrine which the message asserts and now let
US for a moment what the circumstances are
which have called forth this assertion
BY thclate war with Mexico, VIC wrested from that
republic the province Of New Mexico. Up 10 the
beginning Of that war, and for more than a cen
Mexico, having organized local government,
whether as a department, State, or a province,
constituting a community of which Santa FC was
the centre with local laws, tribunals and niagis-
tratos. This was It's condition when our army con-
qucred t, and when, by the treaty Of peace il was
ccdcd 10 the United Ststcs Ia May, l-ls; and this
has been its condition down 20 the present hour.
There is now, there has been ever since the
treaty, local government i'm as regular operation
there as in any State in the Union, existing and
acting by the consent Of our own Government, and
with an officer Of our own Government at the head
Of i, and flag lpats hs residence AT Santa
Re. In this state Of things, Texas makes claim
O all that portion Of that province which lies west
Of the RIO Grandc, including Santa F6 and threat-
Gus TO extend, by force Of arms, her Jurisdiction
over the unwilling people who rosde there and who
appeal 10 for projection. The Governor OF Texas
has, in the most formal manner, given notice to the
President Of intention 90 carry this threat into
execution, and has demanded that the Government
OF the United states shall forthwith withdraw its
protection from this local government, and haul
down our flag in order that the flag Of Texas may
be run up in its place.
This notice and demand having been made while
Congress u actually IN session. the President has
with the greatest proprcty brought IL 20 our ini-
mediate notice, together with full declaration Of
bis own path Of duty. In language the most mild
and concilia0ry, he points out the fearful cOnse-
qucnccs which may follow II Texas persists in the
rash course she has indicated and at the same
time, In a tone Of dignity aud hrInnoss, he gives
unmistakablc assurance Of the performance Of his
NuOt rtlall 0rlNc MN 10 thls
unhappy necessity. lie says to Texas "You must
not disturb this people by force and violence you
must not attempt to pull down that flag a solemn
treaty has given them assurance OF protection
under the lave which they enjoy, and am bound
by NY oath 20 sec that those laws arc faithfully
executed cannot see that my duty requires me
10 yield to your demand; il is no part Of my duty
to strike that flag Congress is in session. aud is at
this moment considering Of this whole matter
there u need Of haste bcseech you 10 pause aud
reflect upon the awful consequences which a rash
step may bring oni but, If you do rush bndly on 70
carry out your threats have no alternative but 10
use the power which the laws and Constitution
have put into my hands TO maintain our flag where
it loats, and protect those people in tho rights
which the treaty promised them"
These the circumstances, and this the Ian.
guage; and for assuming this attitude the Presi-
dent has been veherhently assailed in this hall as
an usurper; as drawing the sword upon a sover.
eign State and the liberties Of the people are de-
clared to DO in danger
The justice and propusty Of this assault, and tho
foundation for these high-sounding words OF COM
plant, | now propose briefly 10 examine And,
sir, let me remark in the outset at the somewhat
remarkable character Of the array Of assailants
The high priests OF notification, the school of the
resolutions Oi 9s the worshippcrs upon the Buffalo
platform, and the disciples Of the Na,hviIe con-