The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-04

bilee over the literal fulhlment OF the prophecy
that nation should be born in day, and that
on the shores of the great Pacific, where dark
ness has had universal sway for centuries past
and where the vast wilderness which connects heI
with US is beginning to bud and blossom at the
rapid spread of political knowledge. This is 9
tremendous leap of that civilization which will
soon reach the islands of the sea, and the vast
expanse of the eastern continent. We have
only to call to mind the fact that the experiment
OF ocean steam navigation has proved SO success
ful, in connection with American enterprise, to
warrant the belief that there will soon be hundreds
of steamers running on the Pacific, connecting the
commerce of Australia, Pekin, and Nankin, with
that Of our own rich valley of the Sacramento
We have already twelve or fifteen steamers run
ming between Panama and San Francisco, We
should bear in mind too, that the Pacific is admi-
rably adapted to this kind Of navigation. sir, II
seems to me that none Of us can contemplate this
sublime picture Of enterprise rearing great State
west Of the Rocky Mountains without feelings oil
pride that its founders were Americans. Neither
can we be unmindful of the highly important 60
cial, political, and commercial advantages growing
out of this state of things all tending to promote
the best interests Of mankind Shall We then re-
fuse to fraternze with this noble State, possessing
as she does, all the attributes of great and go-
rious Republic IA State that has sprung into
being with magic genius and beauty far surpass.
ing Venus herself as she sprung from the foam Of
the sea Thsp let NJ welsp4'e her ~ p1r halls o.
legislafionl Let us welcome her 10 an equal par
ticipation in our commerce, and all the blessings
of our Federal Union Let us receive her as SHE
is, that she may become one of the brightest gems
in the casket Of the Confederacy.
The time is not far distant, when there win b
a long train of States extending from Missouri t
California, uniting together, by great railway
the Mississippi with the gold-fltering rivers thai
roll into the Bay of San Francisco Sir, in view
of these grand results IL would seem that our pa
triotism and our national pride would stimulate vi
to receive to our embrace this generous and noble
State. Let, then, the bill be forthwith and joy
fully passed
Mr.. Chairman, the future destiny of New Mex.
leo and Utah shall be alike glorious with Caifor.
nia if they share the parental care and kindness
of this Government The one may be made in
strumeptal in the redemption of our red brethren
Of the Northwest, while the other shall fix on
Mexico, and all South America, the imprint OF
our institutions What grand scene to contem-
plate This whole continent swarming with
republics, united in one great Confederation OF
States.
We all know that New Mexico is now ia a
perilious condtion-that she is exposed TO the
=. 5fdS ssasg = gCcStitute ~ -
by fastening upon her cancerous ulcer that shall
gnaw to her very vitsls Sir, we have only to
advert to the history Of the wrongs inflicted on
New Mexico, to have our sympathy and most pro-
found sense Of Justice deeply excited in her favor
What pledges did we make to her at the COM
mencement Of the Mexican war; We told her
that our object was to secure to her, more fully,
the blessings Of liberty, and higher civilization
On her first application to the American Senate,
how shamefully was she repulsed? She had re-
ceived our promises in good faith, and had pc
titoned, in the most respectful manner, for the
organization Of a Territorial Government, instead
of the one we had wrested from her. In this pc
titiOn she prayed that all her citizens might be
protected against slavery How was she received
by some Of our oldest Senators? Sir, she was re-
pulsed and insulted with offensive language, and
to this hour she has been unable even to secure a
favorable hearing of the President. She comes
now, to the House of Representatives the popular
branch of our National Legislature aud demands
that our pledges be redeemed five continue to re-
fuse, under all these circumstances, to do justice
to New Mexico and Utah, let us cease to call
ourselves Republicans Sir, the idea is mon.
strous--tbat our faith to New Mexico and Utah
shall be violated
| know that some Of our great statesmen say
that the Wilmot Proviso, In connection with these
territories is an idle abstraction. look upon the
Proviso as neither more nor less than one of the
cardinal principles of the Declaration fIndepend-
ence hence it is proper to be urged in the organ
ization Of civil Government everywhere The de-
termned opposition to it is the best proof Of its
necessity.
We are as much opposed to Mexican and
American slavery as to African slavery. Hence
Co.. 10 A pAs aflv QNv
eregny over these territories, 1t seems to me that
there Can be no doubt. One Of two things is GER
tain; either Congress or the territories possess
the sovereignty. II the latter, they have right
to keep off our jurisdiction altogether. They Can
join any other power, If they choose. | have
never been able to see the force of the argument
that seeks to make distinction between prop.
erty and political right, where We purchased
both from Mexico We certainly could moi
maintain a property right in the absence of a
political one. Neither can | see, as some have
argued that the idea Of sovereignty over the ter.
ritories existing in Congress conflicts with the
theory Of self-government. | consider the rela.
ton existing between the General Government
and the territories the same as that of parent and
child There is proper time when the territory
shall pass the line of minority, just in the
of the child, and be entitled to selfgovcrnment
IL you carry the principles of selfgovernment as
far as some a handful Of people, unprincipled in
character, might step in and carry on piratical
sovereignty incompatible with the true interests
of the country. In every view of this subject then
1t seems to me that imperative duty requires
that We should Immediately organize such Govern
ments in these territories as will protect all the
citizens thereof mean in that term to include
ALL without regard to race or color My sense OF
Justice and of right allows none of those narrow
distinctions contended for by so msny around me
pass now, Mr.. Chairman, to another kindred
topic. allude to the question of the abolition OF
slavery in this District Shall this Congress shrink
from its duty, because lash is held over it Has
it no self-respect2 Has il none of the attributes
of q free and enlightened Government to reflect,
by example, upon other nations Sir slavery
should not be allowed TO breathe here another
hour. 1t should be abolished, at whatever cost
Having once ridden the District Of this stigma, we
ought to educate all, protect the people with a
homestead exemption law, enfranchse its citizens,
establish District Legislature, and give the peo-
pie Delegate in Congress, instead of having the
legislative wants of the District remain every
body's business" as at present. They would be
discharged in a more intelligent and efficient man.
ner by those who know their own wants Ii good
government should be maintained anywhere, il.
by all means, ought to be here. The government
Of this District should be perfect model, and q
fitting illustration Of the very principle of self
government. Here the diplomatic agents of for
eign Governments get their views Of the practical
workings Of our republican institutions.
"Tbis would be well enough" says one, "but
have my fears that such measure would be I'M
constitutional Mr.. Chairman, this word Gun
CONSTITUTIONAL has become about as much Of q
scarecrow rs the words " fanaticismn and disso-
l..a.A -
debate on the Census bill 1t was thought, by some
gentlemen, 10 be /" UNCONSTITUTIONAL for the mar
shall, in taking the census, to gather up informa-
tion as to the business resources and the pccuni-
airy interests Of the country, Why, sir, the Uni
ted States marshal in this District may be au-
thorized to take q mans wife and children, and
even the man himself, Gf he cannot prove that