The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-30

OH Ese NSossfJ Nstv"t ~ssses's~ ~ ''s ~N~~'~'
March 2s. $780,
The Senate proceeded to the consideration OF the
utons OF Mr BELL, OF Tennessee, and the motion OF
Mr. FooTE 10 refer them TO select committee OF thir-
Mr. BALDWIN said To that motion, Mr. President,
an endmeat was offered BY myself on former occa-
Of the senator from Missouri [Mr BENToNl to exclude
from the consideration OF the committee the subject-mat-
ter othe message Of the President, transmitting the con-
stuton Of California and recommending her admission
into The Union II is upon that motion that propose 10 ad
dress the Senate awaiting myself oil the opportunity y
affords me to express my views somewhat at large upon
other questions connected with the proposition and win
the resolution introduced by The senator from Tennessee,
have listened, Mr. President, with deep interest to
the discussions in the Senate on the questions presented
by the message OF the President and the resolutions OF
the distinguished senators from Kentucky and tennessee
In the general tone and spirit which have characterized
the debate, have seen much TO admire and something
to regret It has been my endeavor 10 keep my own
mind free from any undue excitement, with adetermlna-
ton in any Legislative act which may be called upon
10 perform to be governed BY the spirit OF the constu
hon and Of the distinguished men who cooperated IN
its formation and adoption. That sacred instrument
speaks in sectional language The voices OF the whole
American people there united in harmonious concord
proclaming union, justice, liberty, domestic tranquility,
and the general veal TO- be its glorious purposes II
made and adopted IN sprt OF liberal indulgence
10 conflicting interests and sentiments, toeratng, no
doubt institutions then regar led as temporary and
some compromises which many Of us OF the present day
doubtless would wish had been otherwise But they are
stuens concerned, feel myself authorized by the
resolutions Of the general assembly OF Connecticut now
lying upon your table, 70 say that the people oi my own
State prepared to adhere and abide by those COM
promises to the letter and in the spirit OF the same
Such sir are tne instructions such is the solemn decla
ration OF the general assembly Of the State q Connec
cut passed by nearly unanimous vote OF both houses o
the legislature But they have also instructed their sena
tors and requested their representatives IN Congress- to
al 10 was sye
territory may be given up 10 the encroachmens OF sa
very, by which the people OF the United States may be
made responsible for its introduction or continuance
These instructions are in accordance with my deib
crate Judgment will therefore, afford me great pleasure
10 conform to them. visa, however, not to be under
stood as concurring sentiment with the distinguished
senator from Michigan, [Air CAss,l whom do not now
see in his seat, and with my friend from Illinois, Mr.
DouGLAs who have addressed the Senate the subject
Of Instructions should never be willing, standing here
as an American senator TO record my for any
ure contrary to the dictates OF my own judgment, cnlgh
ened by the deliberations of this body, even though
were positively instructed do by the legislature OF
my State II believed in this doctrine of instructions
if believed that it improper for senator to avail
himself Of the position in which his constituents had
placed him. TO vote against their wishes expressed in
their resolutions should feel myself bound to render
something more than nominal obedience TO their requi
sitens / should not feel at liberty TO avail myself OF
that position in the debates oil this body to neutraze my
own votes by endeavorng influence the votes Of others
against it. would keep the word OF promise fully, II
felt myself bound by il al all.
The resolutions now before the Senate, offered with
the best OF motives by my distinguished friend from Ten
nessee and the proposition TO refer those resolutions to
committee composed OF gentlemen from the North and
from the South, who to deliberate with view oil
making some compromise OF sectional interest," and bring
ing before the body in The form either OF one act or OF
several acts the results o their deliberations, do not CON-
mend themselves to my judgment. The question oil
California presented with the message OF the President
ought not my opinion to be connected with any other
question whatever 1t stands upon its own foundation
II the people OF California entitled TO be admitted into
this Union they have right 10 have that question con-
sdered by itself and decided by itself They are here
claiming righta right stipulated BY treaty--a right
which pledged, they insist, to accord 10 them
II they are correct in this opinion, certainly il is but
fair and Just that the question which they have presented
should not be embarrassed by connexon with any other
The proposition before the Senate, and the resolutions
OF the distinguished senator from Tennessee also assume
that these questions which are 10 be decided with
reference TO northern and southern interests, those
interests antagonstic TO each other In my view,
this is an unsound and in its tendency, an unconstlu
onal mode Of legislation IL tends TO produce and TO
encourage sectional claims and sectional combinations,
which was the desire, the anxious DESIRE OF the ira
OF the constitution to prevent. The constitution
regards this nation as one people. Il knows no North
the celebrated proclamation OF President Jackson oil
ls32-a measure which, in my Judgment reflected more
honor credit upon the reputation OF that distin-
gushed individual than any other act oil his public lie
he says:
"The terms used in It's construction show Il 10 be gov
ernmen in which the people Of all the States collectively
are represcned-a government which operates directly
upon the people individually, and not on The sates"
Il has provided in itself all the securities which
deemed necessary proper for fair expression OF the
will OF the nation upon every question OF pubic interest
II seduously guards against all combinations oil sectional
interest," distinct from the general welfare. IL confers
no power to make sectional compacts or arrangements
for any purpose much less for purposes o that descrp
tion 10 bind the legislation OF future Congress, or TO
prevent. in any legitimate form, the expression oil the
popular will Sir all represent one country, and in
this sense. one constituency And while standing here
in this body our primary allegiance is IN my judgment,
due TO that country which in all its parts is here repre-.
sented; whose requirements OF us are imboded in that
constitutional government have all sworn support.
We not egslaing for the States Of which this Union
is composed We egsating for the people, and not
for the people represented BY their particular States,
but for the people Of the Unied States As these
Just theory Of the constitution, and o The trainers of that
instrument that we are here divided people, sec
honally divided, having sectional interests which II is
proper for us as Legislators 10 compromise, am opposed
10 any such committee.
But air. regard to the State OF California, ap-
plying for admission into the Union, am not aware how
that be regarded sectional question between the
North and the South. / am not aware OF any pecu-
liar interests which my constituents as such, have in the
decision OF that question: other than the people Of any
other portion OF this country avn no, aware that the
introduction OF the senators and representatives from
California 10 operate with us N our legislation here
will be any more likely 10 conduce 10 the promotion oi
the interests OF my constituents than TO the interests o
those OF any other portion Of the country. III - not
therefore, upon that ground that sustain their claims c
admission. II is well known 10 members OF this body
war. that was opposed 10 The ] regarded il as
war OF conquest and as reconcable. on that ground
to the principles OF free government upon which our ma
uona institutions are based | voted with the senator