Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-03-13

may be superfluous words in the method
Of expressing desire for peace; but, sir.
that sentiment will go home 10 the hearts
Of thousands throughout the land, whose
beloved and cherished friends have fallen
on the battlefield!
came here. Mr. Chairman. untram-
meled-wiih a firm determination to Join
in no factious opposition to this Admins
tratlon: but on the contrary. by my voice
and my votes, to extend to it all the facili-
ties for full development Of its policy.
This | did in our efforts to organize; and
the same rule shall control my humble ac-
ton until my judgment is satisfied that its
measures tend to pernicious results.
Occupying this position. and remember,
ing the strong ties and early attachments
which bound me to the only political par
i, is source of deep regret to me that |
cannot approve the whole of this mess
age. 1t urges upon us that it is our duty
not to provide law for the Territories ac-
quired by the late treaty with Mexico.
will not 90 into detail Of argument to
show the improperly, in my judgment. of
this recommend alton, as that subject has
been discussed with more ability than |
could command, by my colleague Mr..
Root, and others. The points Of objec-
ton which make are:
1st. Gold is discovered in California.
Thousands congregate there from all
quarters Of the globe to hunt for it, dig it.,
and return to their homes, and not remain
there permanently under any law or any
form Of government. The people of New
Mexico are citizens permanently located,
for whom, by the terms of solemn trea-
", Congress is bound to provide gov
ernment. The consistency Of Executive
haste in furnishing law for California, and
Executive influence in Withholding law
from New Mexico is. by no means clear
to my mind. shall anxiously look for
arguments to this point
Cd The effect Of delay leaves thai,
vast territory and its people, under the
government Of the Executive. through its
military commanders. Those who have.
for the last few years, felt the baleiul ef
E.cts Of an increase Of Executive power
will remember that to curtail that power
instead of increasing it. has universally
been recognized as an important tenet in
the Wing faith
Sd. IL IS rrong to postpone until neat
If the Wilmot proviso is right-if it is a
good thing. we should adopt it; if it is
,rrong we should reject it. These are
questions which we are as competent to
discuss and decide in a friendly and pa
triotic spirit nor, as at any future time
"Delays are dangerous What benefit
is there in delay! None. The ques-
ton must be met.-if not in giving terri
torial law. upon the admission of States.
Sir. this opposition to it from the South
must be met California is knocking at
our door for admission State. She
presents a constitution, formed in man
ner conformable TO the most ultra south
ern platform. yet the wearied eyelds Of
all around me remind US, that from twelve
o'clock IN. yesterday. until midnight.
southern men STAYED off resolution pro.
posing action. by factious opposition,
may say, in my Judgment, disgracelul to
this body and to the country, say, Their,
we have nothing to hope from delay. Let
us act now like men worthy Of our posi-
tions. Let US meet the responsibility
which the country has placed upon US
Before submitting my views upon this
allabsorbng topic of slavery, desire to
defend the section Of country. which | in
part have the honor to represent, from un-
founded charges. which are constantly
preferred against it. We had scarcely
taken the preliminary steps for an organ
izaton Of this House, before the South in
tones of laundering eloquence denounc.
ed the people of the North as "agyress-
ors-as ''recreants to the Constitution"
AS having for years been guilty Of sop
~, L .t.
In this hall-in the social circle-upon
the highway-everywhere we met with
this charge. Sir. propose briefly to eX
anime the state Of this account of ..aS-
eresSion.'
How does it stand. as 10 territorial ac-
quiSHionS, since the formation of the
Union. We Of the North have been op-
posed to an extension of our domain
We have been taught by the warning
voice of past republics, that
Extended Empire like expanded gold
Exchanges solid strength for feeble sple endor,"
Southern policy has been different, and
we have yielded.
In 1908. we annexed Louisiana.
In 1919, we annexed the Territory of
Florida.
In1G:5, we annexed the State Of Tex
as.
In 1848. we annexed by conquest Cal
itorria and New Mexico
In l84o. we have stronger movement
for annexing Cuba than We had ten years
ago in favor Of annexing Texas.
And now the honorable gentleman from
North Carolina; Mr.. Gin gman.1 notifies
us that after the next Presidential election.
we will annex that part of Mexico on the
Gulf extending to Vera Cruz.
The South does all this. and still per-
sists in the cry of aggression. aggress-
iou!" Sir. the North has Welded to this
system too long, and now she is deter
mined to stop it.
But there are other aggressions which
the North sorely feels. The honorable
memher from North Carolina who has