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


sc dsngenuousness Of the writer in nothing
mskabe than in his treatment of the views of the distinguish
ed Senator from Massachusetts, in relation 10 the little poba-
by OF the extension of slavery New Mexico, because the
climate of that county unfavorabe those productions
which alone render slave labor valuable sound and
practical opinion, the truth Of which experience is every day
demonstrating
Well, sir, the writer Of the letter. in reviewing this
opinion, chooses talk about drawing moral conclusions
from physical premises "dning the law Of the spirit
by geographical phenomena "-of ascetainng "whethef
people will obey the laws Of Christ and do to Others as they
would be done by looking at the thermometer "o under
taking to see by mountains and rivers and not by the len
Commandments, great question Of humanity together
with much ppancy Of the krd negecng to read
heed the third Of those commandments he nvokes and
which says every MAN Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neghbo II is by adect charge alone that
this prohibition in the decaogue be dsobeyed That
may be done ec,ually by nsnuation as by assertion
This the writer understands and PRACTICES for no one knows
better that the honorable Senator from Massachusetts, never
dreamed of measuring moral duties the accidents Of
soil and climate but that he did the probability Of
the extension Of slavery by its profit loss which OF course
must be regulated by the value Of its products And TINS
gross misrepresentation of the opinions OF colleague IN the
National Legislature is accompanied with professions OF
admiration of his o,oerS gratitude his past services, ana
Of his didence in dissenting from has vie0s Can
insincerity 60 further
But after all, sir it may that this very letter may
place its author among the beneactors OF the country II
will certainly do if the occasion to which we owe
that besutuI and powerful exposition of of the prnc
port leteone Of the mastery appeals to the
and patriotism of the American people that has appeared in
my ime Had the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts
(M WEnsrER other claim but that to the respect Of his
countmen that would be enough for and future dis
tincton
The Senate will bear me witness that it is very seldom
enter upon such task this It suits neither my taste
my habits There things is difficult to touch, and at
the time escape pollution. But this appeal to the pas
sons Of the community is preeminenty Miscellaneous and
reckless in its professions and regardless of legitimate
patriotic results in its performance that has for its
thor distinction rather notoey which few will
pire, and which fewer still could attain.
But sir return to the objections to the union of these
measures.
1t is to be disputed .ha if convenience permitted, it
would be BETTER in the usual of legislation, that each
question should be finally settled by ITSELF But that is i'm
possible and the union of subjects therefore matter
of legislative expedency AS ncongruy about which
have heard much certainly that does depend upon
of natural connection between the objects themselves for
appropriation for improvement at end of the Union
ought to derive strength from object of similar kind at
another All this matter Of expedency, appealing
the discretion of the body called to upon the subject
As the English pecedents founded the constitution of
Parliament and the various OF form and some
of substance of etiquette and some Of powearspg
between the hereditary aud the elective branches of the Lgs
lature, and incident to political system, depending ira
dion, and not the popular will and to be found in
mentares, and not in written constitution, them
all from my path, without remark inquiry We just
much bound by their ceremonial observances by
Their forms Of proceeding, and just much bound by
those of France Spain by those Of England So far
regards the experience Of other Legislative bodies willing
should be referred by any gentleman who desires it, and
who thinks may be useful in terrifying any position he
may take. But repudate its obligation whence it
may.
have already adverted similar modes of proceeding in
the history of legislation But sir if this not
Soft procedure in the of Government could be
found bearing upon such question this either directly
indirecy-wha then Are tied down, not by prin-
cpes, but by forms in legislative proceedings that
must always do what has been done and has been
done, and nothing else As practical men, when grave
question arises involving the important consequences
stead of following the indicated by passing events
we to pore the statute book and to find analo
gous not settling principle but touching form, and
then adapt measures, not to existing circumstances but
to bygone Transactions surendeng judgment the
authority of precedent For myself disclaim such
doctrines and, far my vote will 60, shall look at
of the country demands To those who believe that Caor-
MIA should be admitted and that Congress has power
ablish Territorial Governments and that constitutional pow
ers should be exercised when the occasion arises for which
they provided the union Of these present
practical dficuy-and to such appeal and among these
is the Senator from Missouri who tells that California and
New Mexico are equally suffering for want Of our action
AS to my views respecting the constitutional power
Of Congress TO establish Territorial Governments, have
once and again explained them to the Senate and shall
the topic find this power only in the necessity
Of the justified by Mr. Madison, in respect the
old confederation and in the inevitable
Judge Marshall when deducng the necessity of government
from the right of acquisitions When yielded to- it is yielded
to from the urgency of the occason and upon the RESPONSE
bity to his constituents Of him who thus finds himself in
this situation To those who experience difficulty to
the of Congress- appears there must be other
than those connected with the objects themselves
which create the embarrassment And what they, and
how far do they involve the neglect of constitutional duty
As to the establishment of kind Of in the
Territories, call in question it's necessity and it
must originate either in the legislation of Congress or in the
voluntary act Of the people themselves If Congress neglect
Hpu
first principles for their justification But this is state of
things which wise Government should promote by
naciion puts to hazard the whole frame of society The
validity of the system called in question, and the obligation
OF the laws disputed and denied would be but work Of
supeerogaion to point the evils of such Of things
either with respect domestic tranquility the legal ea-
tons Of Territory thus situated with the States of the
Union And more especially all this to be deprecated,
when we look to the circumstances existing between Texas
and New Mexico, where disputed boundary and the claim
by Texas to extend her jurisdiction theeourths of the
newyacqued populations cannot fail TO lead to the most
serious consequences
The last advlces from that quarter sufficiently alarming
to excite our apprehension and hasten action As to
tie respective rights involved in this matter give opinion
at present But all know the violence to which these Dor
der contests give RISE each party cngng tenacousy its
opinions, and ready in The absence of any other umpire
resort to the umpage of force. naction part will
produce action Theirs and it is difficult TO conceive case
which urgently demands the prompt nterposition the
General Government The establishment Of legal order and
the adjustment of this boundary equally Indispensable
and belong properly to the bill All this would be the
less alarming, if could cipate its termination within
short period But this we cannot do. When New Mexico
may be in condition to demand admission State Of this