The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-12


On the 18th of February, the PRESIDENTS
message, transmitting an authenticated copy of
the constitution Of California. was taken up in
the Senate.
Mr.. DOUGLAS said, in substance if it was
the wish OF the Senate to refer this paper, to-
gether with all the other bills that had been
introduced upon the subject by Mr.. BENTON
and by Mr.. FooTE, and other propositions,
with the hope Of compromising the whole ques-
ton, he would not wish to interpose any objec-
ton TO the reference to such committee. 1t was
his own opinion, however, that il was better to
bring in the California bill by itself 1t was
for these reasons that he had made the motion
to refer that bill TO the Committee on Terrific
ries, that it might be brought in by itself
Mr. CLAY opposed the joining of the ques-
ton concerning the admission of California with
the territorial question and Texas boundary
question. We quote the remarks made by him
ON the occasion:
"Mr CLAY. Well, if the proposition be to refer
the Presidents message TO the Committee on the
Territories, shall with great pleasure vote for the
to embrace in a general motion the question of the
admission Of California and all the other subjects
which are treated of by the resolutions upon the
able-the subject, for example, of the establishment
Of territorial governments; the subject of the cstb
shnent off boundary line for Texas and the propo
stion compensate Texas for the surrender of terri
tory say, sir do not think it would be right con-
found to combine all these subjects and to throw
them before one committee to be acted upon toge-
ther. think the subject of the admission of Cali
forna ought to be kept separate and distinct, al
though, for one should have objection, that
question being separated from the residue of the
subject that the resolutions and the Of the pro-
positions that before the Senate far as regards
those which have a kindred common nature,
should be referred at the proper time TO a commit
tee, to be acted upon together but think the time
has not yet arrived for such a reference.
''Sir, there three or four members of Congress
who have here all the way from the Pacific
with constitution purporting TO be the constitu
ton of State which is seeking to be admitted as
a member of this Union Now, sir, is it right to
subject them to all the delay, the uncertainty, the
procrastinaton which must inevitably result from
the combination Of all these subjects, and refer
cnce of them 10 one committee, and to wait until
that committee shall have adjudged the whole?
think not. am not now arguing whether Califor-
mia ought or ought not to be admitted; whether
she ought or ought not TO be admitted with the
boundary which she proposes, with any other
boundary; but am contending acknowledging
the circumstances under which her representation
presents itself TO Congress, under the circum-
stances that when they left their homes, perhaps,
nothing on earth further from their expecta-
ton than that there would be the slightest imped-
ment or obstacle to their adrnission-and in con-
men are placed who are here in attendance in the
Hobbies of these halls, it TO that we
should decide, and decide as promptly as we can
consistently with just and proper delibcration.
think the question of the admission of California
is which stands by itself, and that il should be
kept disconnected with the other resolutions"
We think it is much 10 be regretted that
Mr.. CLAY ever abandoned the position so
promptly and decidedly taken by him in the
foregoing remarks. Not only did the reasons
assigned by him for assuming it. abundantly
justify him in doing so, but the wisdom of the
course then designated and advocated by him
has been demonstrated by all that has since ia
ken place in the Senate in reference to that
subject. Mr.. CLAY formed very just concep-
ton of 1.-THE delay, the uncertainty, the pro-
crastination which would inevitably result
from the combination of all these subjects,
and reference of them to one committee.
and 10 wait until that committee should have
adjudged the whole" What he foresaw
has taken place. Four months have gone
by since he thus protested that, in his opin-
ion, it would mol be right 10 embrace in a
general motion the question Of the admission Of
California with the subject Of the establishment
of territorial governments; the subject of the es-
adjustment of a boundary. line for Texas.
and the proposition to compensate Texas for the
surrender Of territory, during which time the
four members Of Congress who "have come
here all the way from the Pacific with a consti-
tuition purpOrting 10 be the constitution of a State
which is seeking 10 be admitted as a member Of
this Union" have been in attendance in the
Hobbies of the halls Of Congress. awaiting the
permission of that body TO take their seats, TO
the great detrment of the interests of the peo-
pie whom they were sent here 10 represent
Never was there an occasion, il appears to us,
when the observance of the old adage, zone
thing at time" was more clearly called for.
if not imperatively demanded
The admission Of California into the Union. as
State, was a matter of pressing necessity grow
ing out Of the peculiar condition Of affairs in that
Territory, and the great interests, both National
and State. which were at stake, and which. il
was plain, must suffer with every days delay
and procrastination. For her admission there
was clearly ascertaned and strong majority in
both Houses Of Congress. The question of her
admission had no necessary connection with
either of the other questions with which it
was proposed to connect its consideration. In
the language of Mr.. CLAY, it was question
which stood by itself, and which ''should be kept
disconnected with the other resolutions" Had
it been kept thus disconnected, and consid-
cred by itself, we verify believe that not only
that, but all the other questions which were
subsequently referred along with it to the Com
mittee Of Thirteen, would have, before this,
been definitely acted upon by Congress. But