Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-15


establishment OF governments the residue of the Territory
with no action by Congress the subject of slavery
the matter to be settled by the people themselves
And yet we have seen this arrangement assailed wit
zeal amounting almost to violence, and the PROPOSE
ton denounced as sacrifice of the South to the North
And, on the other hand, have heard denuncaton a
unequvoca from the North by honorable Sena
tors who represent the opinions and speak the sentiments of
large portion OF the community They too condemn thu
whole arrangement, but condemn il as sacrifice of TIL
North TO the South When this controversy began, the ex
cuson OF slavery from these regions the avowed
those who commenced it, Now that exclusion has been oh
tanned in California by the of the people, and has beer
placed beyond question in the Territories as shown by tbs
Senators from Kentucky and Massachusetts, (Mr. CLnant
Mr. WEBSTER, -and clearly that believe few in or
Congress deny -by the operation of independent
the action OF the Government and thus no section has ac
quired triumph ITO patriotic phrase to which
shall hereafter refeover another But this is not enough
me interdc already pronounced by circumstances in the
country ITSELF must be repeated and renewed by
nepositoD with other practical suit that can see
but to offend the pride of the South and to assume an OBJ
noxous power unknown to the constitution. As do no,
Panake OF TINS feeling shall not Parake of any
which ministers TO it.
Well sir If had had doubts of the wisdom of the recon-
mendaton OF the committee before these disclosures those
doubts would have given way to convictions this
strange union OF views presented the Senate When
extreme opinions unite in opposition to measure, men Of
moderation may feel assured that be very unjust
one Gentlemen at antpodes till now become associated in
acon because the plan Of adjustment grants much and
asunder as the poles when they designate the section
OF country which gains loses by the alleged partial
OF the committee The honorable Senator from Alabama
Mr CLEmENs) seems to have been struck with this I'M
expected combination, when first disclosed that he referred
In illustration OF to the weknown remark of Burke made
upon an occasion when brought adverse poll
cans to act together in England that politics. like misery
make strange bed-fellows."
Mr. President, it would be vain to look back upon the his
tory OF the world and endeavo seek any country whose
condition resembles our Since first forth
from the garden OF Eden, there has been nothing like
We have fierce internal contest engenderng the worst feel
ing, and threatening the consequences II is here and
every where's and if goes on it will go its natural con-
summahon-to the destruction of political system which
has conferred greater of happiness than any other
country ever enjoyed, and which example and
for every people striving for the blessings of
free government And when proposed to terminate this
sectional controversy by reasonable and practical PLAN the
proposition repealed with much violence though the
measure submitted actually sacrificed human liberty and
human rights throughout the world One party determined
that slavery shall be prohibited by law of doubtful obhga
ton, and obnoxious to onehalf of the confederacy, in
region where docs not exist and co. and where
legislation even according distinguished Southern states
man. could not establish it. And the quantity Of zeal and
gravity displayed in advocating this measure and by many
man through the country who knows to be useless it
dangerous moi among the least of the extraordinary
lures which mark this unhappy dispute.
Another party is determined that California shall be
admitted unless bounded by the parallel of So deg 80 min
We have heard many objections and suppose shall hear
ment of government which ourselves refused organize
there Some of these mathematical depending upon
some problem found know where measuring human
rights by numbers and which would sweep from existence all
governments which have not the standard population What
that is has not been authortavey stated but it must be
than 100000 because California possessed that num-
Der when she provided for social and legal order There are
also other objections constitutional and POLITICAL some de-
pending on the transient nature of the population though
we had the right to refuse admance State because we
had security that its inhabitants will ways live there Civ
ing up The privileged of ocomoonat any emigration
and some depending the fact that the General Government
has large landed estates in California as though nobody
else had property there, real persona-clsims even
under Mexican Spanish grants-and though Govern
ment were not quite necessary for the people if the
United States did not foot of land in the country.
Human rights worth protection, if the people are
poor, and where the gold mines belong on
the other side OF the continent But sir appears that
these are all objections of expedency which may be yielded
not OF principle which admits of compromise because
by the Establishment Of the southern boundary of California
at SO deg 80 min all opposition the admission of that
State would be obviattd and she would the Confede
acy with the concurrence of all parties That will not be
disputed The practical difficulty, therefore, we have to deal
with, Is geographical not whether California shall
come in by the process she has adopted process far
regards the previous sanction of Congress- resembling that by
which Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee Maine, Arkansas
Michigan, Florida and Iowa admitted into the Union
but whether her boundaries shall remain she has xed them
And what bearing has this question upon the great topic which
seems to bring every thing within its vortex VIM this
and this alone that the country south of So deg 80 min
is excluded from California the people there NAV admit sa
very though they have already excluded it, and though the
considerations, geographical and POLITICAL which led to that
exclusion, are in as full force ever.
Now sir cannot weigh the advantage on the one hand
OF passing the Wlmo provso, with view exclude slavery
from New Mexico the other hand the chance of in
Producing It, under these circumstances upon narrow coast
OF tue Pacific ocean, shut in by desert and mountain and
with little probability of possessing population sufficient for
State, against the peace-he exiseDce in fact-o this
great republican empire.
But sir, whatever may be the result of this effort of the
committee the honorable chairman is entitled to the gratitude
of his country for bis patriotic and perseverng labor in this
good work He has done many deed before her service
which will carry down his with honor poerity as
statesman, orator. and patriot But never has he de-
himself to higher object brought purer motives
nor more zeal or power to its support have observed his
course with warmer feelings than choose express and
come what may, he at least will be free from reproach
The success or failure of this plan depends very much upon
the effect may produce upon public opinion That will
probably decide its fate. We cannot of course expect apy
thing like unanimi!y In all political convusons there are
those who look on with selfish objects and cacuue eooy
their own advantage from the troubles the country While
the fire remains the confagaton is liable to break out and
extend indefinitely. There will be wanting persons
enough to supply the fuel and fan the fame We all
mat THIS Is the very state of things which renders
condition the more alarming We all know there is nany
in the country who would regret the restoration of it's
tranquility even if that attained by the very
he now loudly advocates In such event. his occupation
would DO gone He would become bankrupt in his political
capital and with the departure Of the public agitation
would depart the hopes which that agitation alone
maintains fhe more reason is there for union of all
who realize the danger and DESTROYS of ayering it,
It viii be OF little carry an isolated measure,
leaving the causes OF difference to go with their work