The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-05

sanction veto the Wilrnot proyi5o, In au' anu
should regard il as act OF the most eBFes'1us
foly and afTording the highest evidence OF MS
total unftness for the high station 10 ~hlOh MS
frients sought To elevate him. Upon suCn Il ques-
ton | commended, as still contend, that the hlgn-
est dictate of duty wisdom, ana PATRIOTISM re-
onired that a President should reserve to himself
the privilege Of deliberation and reflection, OF
weighing tendencies ana consequences uhul tne
last moment of time allowed him by the Consttu-
ton before he comes TO n conclusion go pregnant
OF momenious results
have said that ! neither knew, nor sought to
know, General Taylor's views upon tins subject
during the late canvass. do not now know what
General Taylor would do-whether he would veto
a bill containing the Wilmot proviso or not. Nor
do ! believe that the man Is living VINO can say,
with truth, that he is better informed upon tins
subject than myself In the strong condemnation
have expressed of the course OF any asplrant 70
the Presidency who would declare bis purpose 10
Veto or not TO veto, the.Wimot proviso, pending
canvass, and before the question should be regu-
larly presented for his decision, beg leave to say
that mean no censure upon the course oil the DIS
tinguished Senator from Michigan. (Mr. CAss,)
whom am sorry not to see in his place. do not
remember, nor do understand, that that distin-
guished gentleman avowcd his purpose during the
late canvass 10 veto bill containing the obnoxious
clause of the Wilmot proYiso should 1t become his
duty 10 act officially upon the question under
stand that gentleman TO have expressed the opln-
ion that Congress had no power under the Consu-
tuition TO legslate upon the subject OF slavery at
all; or indeed, even TO establish territorial gov
ernment5. But never heard or understood that,
at any time, upon any occasion, he expressed
his determination that ii he President he
would veto the Wilmot proviso. II i am mis-.
taken in this statement, and he has any friend
in the Senate-and j know he has many-l
hope he will correct me, and point to the evidence
OF nay error. Nor do ! mean TO impute to him the
least improperly in having withheld the express
sion Of his purpose upon this point. On the con
trary, his course was just such as ! would have
expected of him, and such | have already de-
clared to be the dictate of wisdom and patriotism
founded on his opinion OF what the Constitution
authorized and not upon any opinion favorable TO
the extension OF slavery 1t would have been an act
of unusual holiness TO have declared that he would
disregard the former practice OF Government, and
give no weight 10 the precedents oil the Missouri
compromise and the Oregon territorial acts
But after all, Mr.. President what Is the value OF
these speculations a TO what course General lay
lor was, at any time, disposed to adopt in regard
to the Wilmot proviso; or as 10 what he would
now do, were he brought TO the test? No question
that ever raised has had more Fictitious Inn
portance attached IL, which has better Illus
traed the blindness and infatuation into which the
interests OF party betray Its votaries have heard
grave Senators, with solemn mlen, and apparently
after the most serious reflection, declare the concu-
sion 10 which they have arrived. One announces his
solemn belief that Gen. Taylor would sanction the
Wilnlot proviso gentleman belonging to ano-
tier body has said in speech that he will vote to
apply the Wilmot proviso IN a territorial bill, not
that he is in favor Of it himself, but he wants to
compel the President to show his hand. It has also
Senate is defeated, territorial bills containing the
proviso will be passed. presume with the same
laudable object Now, sir, TO illustrate the sage
of these grave councils and projects let sup
pose the measure before the Senate defeated; the
application of California TO be admitted into the
Union State rejected; or suppose, what might
have happened, but cannot now happen, that Cali
fornia had formed no State constitution, made no
application To be admitted as State, and there had
been Committee of Thirteen; and suppose, fur
Their, territorial bill for California, with the Will
mot provi5o attached and insisted upon by
relenting majority, passed, and the bill then pre-
scented 10 the President and refoed-what would
follow: What would be the condition of Califor
MA Still, sir, without a regular government,
posed to anarchy and bloodshed tempted 20 rebel
lion and separation. And what would the country,
what especially would the South gain by such a
state of things: want 10 know, sir. want some
disting uished Senator 10 enlghten me upon this
point. Sir If there should be no giving way in the
North the South would have the consolation Of know
ing that no Wilmot proyiso had been imposed upon
them. And how long would they enjoy this conso
laton, During three years ofagitation and anarchy
and until the next Presidential election should roll
round, when they would have a northern President
who would not veto the proyso. But let us suppose
thscase let US suppose that President
Taylor should sanction Territorial bill containing
the proviso, what would then follow Extreme
ritavisa IA tlas South, dvuJtpus. Tuv intrepid
and excited champions Ol southern rights, On-their
part, would then have issue they could stand
upon; and the issue would be fairly presented
whether the South would submit 10 on resist the
ajority power Of the North, in thus imposing a
direct restriction upon the extension Of slavery. II
Territorial bill should be passed now and sane
toned by the President, We should have the issue
uOU, instead Of three years hence for IL would
come at last But who desires such an issue now
at any time hereafter, Some at the South may
upon patriotic grounds, according TO their views OF
southern interests. But others desire IT,, that Cen
eral Taylor may be brought % the bar OF public
opinion; may be cocrccd TO declare who were
"oheaied' in the late election, and "that lac may
not escape the public scorn" which thc' conceal
AZ. rfrs... ~ L.
election deserves. Well, sir, let those who charge
that General Taylor has had no other or higher mo
tive in the policy he has pursued in relation to these
Territories, his 'non- action" policy than 10 screen
himself from the personal responsibility and ex-
posure, insist upon bringing him 10 the test they
desire; let them present the question Of the viii
mot proviso; let them make the issue between tn,
North and the South, which either the Prcsdents
sanction his veto will inevitably raise, and We
shall see where and upon whom the results Of sucl
an issue will rest. Sir, any man, General Taylor
the Senator from Michigan, Mr.. CA.s,) If he were
President, might well desire, upon the highest
principles that can inspire statesman patriot
10 sbun the responsibility of bringing such an is
sue upon the country.
Sir, will pursue this part Of the subject no fur
Their. have said enough 70 show that General
Taylor has been influenced in his course upon this
subject by the highest and nobcst motives Of duty
and patriotism.
n ust now turn 70 another branch Of the subject
under consdcratiOn-namcly, the provisions Of the
bi which relate ~ New Mexico. And upon this
urancn OF the measure now before the Senate arm
sorry ~ have 90 say that the Of the discus
sion has been such as 10 present the question fsr
otherwise than IN that simple point Of view, unein
barrsssed by any considerations If party or Do
ltcal nature not Intrinsically connected with It, m
which ] had hoped 10 see It presented. Especia
pains have been taken by Senators 10 hold Up thu
antsg Oni.u of the plan Of adjustment presented by
the COMMITTEES u Thirteen aud thstof tho President
ia way 10 present the issue one between th,
Executive and Congress. The honorable and dis
tinguished Senator from kentucky, (Mr. CLAy,) {,
any infinite regret, led the way in this course o
discussion. The honorable Senator shakes bis
head. II DO hm any injustice, will rctract tn,
statement. am referring 90 what has passed ia
debate upon this subject, and t j. far from my in
itntion 90 make any statement that j. not strict
true, or which would be In any way unpleasant {,
the honorable Senator; ior be must know that hc j.
the last man with whom would wish 10 have a con
troyersy Of any kind
Dir. CLAY. Will tho honorable Senator from
Tennessee permit me TO interrupt him for a mo
ment
Mr. BELL, Certainly.
Mr.. CAY. II will Sc rccollccted BY the Senate
and am sure by the Senator from Tennessee tia
u was week only, about eight Or ten day
prior 10 my delivery OF the speech 10 which he re-
iers. that made speech ~ Conciliatory toward
Administration ~ ppsailtls me in.