The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-07-18
CONGRESSIONAL.



Ua he Compromise BsH; det,uered ~ The Senate Of HE
United Stotes July and IS, 1850.
he Senate having under consideration the b for the
admission oil California nlo the Union, the establish
meat o territorial governments lor Utah and New Mex
lco, and ing proposals TO Texas the settlement OF
her nOIthern and western boundaries
Nr bu LEX sad Mr.. Presideni Tor many reasons
approach the discussion 0 tils SUBJECT win very great
reluctance. Ii las been discussed te ablcst minds OF
the SENATE nalion, amt have no hope OF
paing 10 1t any thing ike The freshness oil novelty Ii
10 surrounded By great and have no hope that
BY ANY thing say can remove the difficulty. But,
above a lar as am concerned 1t associated
with elements OF strife wi.ch by means agrees able
my and disposition and the very circumstances
under which deibeating are calculated TO
The current OF my feelings aud control the order
and ann oi my thoughts. But 1t xduy which owe TO
my constituents To give my upon very great
which has occurred during lhis session.
,anly perhaps at any other tme-~a measure which
may be regarded III some degree the hinge which
the desnIes Of this republic may turn. We are, MIR
President standing upon The threshold OF AN evenul and
mighty iulure and, important the measures before us
may appear 10 ourselves, inclined think that they
Will have much greater Importance attached 10 them in
the iuture history Ut The country We do see their
consequences but their consequences may be connected
with The OF lie ana death to diseased and dis
ttacled republic ot States.
SIR, the circumstances which surround u.s. and the
events which have occurred within the last two three
years. have disclosed this fearful fact tine history of
this government, that II has been unable, from some
cause or other TO discharge the trusts conided and
powers conferred upon IL; for Think sir all will admit
that 1t was the duty OF this government TO have gwen
territorial governments, sOme form oil government, 10
the Territories acquired under the treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo it will be conceded by all that the
duty OF this government to have given form Of
government TO these Territories both by the oblg
OF treaty aud by the obligations incident all govern
ments OF taking charge OF Their dominons and dis
charging the high trusts devolved those governing
II has failed this and we have been in distracted
counsss and have tailed The Obligations OF grave
and important duties.
Mr. President would be glad to think that the debate
in wi hch we red in anVi
which would restore and confidence the de rent
sections OF this Union. Yes, sir. should leave w ash
ngton with Joy II l could 20 to my constituents, and
tell them that had been passed by the Congress
OF the Uned Siaes upon which they could repose with
safety aud VIII this bill have such resulti
fear not. bir, IL s that comes before the
country under imposing auspices Ii has the sanction OF
numbers, and the Authority OF great Ii addresses
itself TO the loSa feelings OF the people OF this Union
and has the name OF compromises name that
with fascination almost irresistible. but fear, upon
this OCCASION entirely deusve Indeed the past has no
encouragement to do not hesitate to say, lar
regards the history o compromises, that has been
OF disaster and peril, certainly portion OF the Unon
II hot the whole The constitution OF the United States
contemplated that lis provisions should be supplied
by that might be made upon the
accommodate the views OF mere malorlty. That nstIu
ment was intended TO guard something more than the
rights of Interested maoniy and u II was unable to
perform the functions contemplated and designed by those
who framed it, II carries within itself the of amend
ment But, SIR fear that the constitution will be left as
gem surrounded by the excrescences Of q compro
mise, by which II will lose all It's original excellence
My deliberate opinion Is, that this Union dan
ger oil dissolution, BY resting upon props that have
other support Than cfumbiing compromises SIR, II the
occasions often referred to had been with the
hardy determination which characterized ancestors
who framed the instrument under which live, we
would have been in safer cOnJlton than II had
gers which they brought with them and which belong 10
all free governments.
have said sir, that this compromise forth under
very high sancton-,ha OF the distinguished gentleman
whose and fame Idenuhed with compromises,
and who has advocated this with such great ability
he, has performed q disng uished part In the history
OF this country, and may be regarded OF the high
priests ofhclalng ut the altar OF the Union. he has
looked the ark OF safety, and, IN is estimation,
under all circumstances, object OF confidence and
worship. believe II is In sincere wish to preserve 1t
from the dangers OF conie0ding factions have de
10 withhold from him the honors properly due TO his
high services and great exertons IN originating and ad
yocating any measure thai would restore peace to
distracted country. hope he may live many years
enjoy the honors and the effects of his high reputaion
and that when the upon his eyes may 10
bless country made happy great, and prosperous by his
counses But, SIT, must do justice To myself by say
ing that have no such belief that any thing like that
will be the result Of TINS measure. 1t may be, Mr.
President, that beyond the control of the great
compromising mind OF that great staesman for II Ia per
tecuy vain Tor gentlemen TO here and say that the
and the dangers and the situation OF the country
have been over estimated by those who have taken d
ferent views OF them Il So SIR say s that IL
is tar IRON it; but II gentlemen upon this floor both IRON
the North and the South, were lett Tree from the
pressure OF opinion which made upon these
tbey mig n, be adjusted honoraby and fairly according
10 The PROVISIONS OF constitution itself, and
with the safety aud honor of every part OF the Union
The Justice OF the constitution might be evoked IRON s
sted existence il could reknde the splnt that
animated those who made it, But where shall we look
for such an nAuencei
Mr. President. put this question Why is II that we
have bt engaged the discussion OF but single sub
ect for nearly se eht monhs Sir IL because the issue
which belongs the pefvades deeply the orgaDizx
ton OF social and political society That issue has not
be made altogether by the events of the day, but be-
heve has been placed beyond the power of constitution
al adjustment by the lapse OF time Sir we have failed
to take aGvantage oi passing opportunities and we have
neglected the suggestions OF fortune on this sub
the qu'eung and amehoratng influences of tme do but
asgravaie The issue, and they the seeds Of strife
aDd agitation Sir, the issue to which have alluded ~
OF deep pofient And what is II Why, s,r, there
those who have openly conieDded and maintained,
both by their speeches and deliberate votes that they
will allow any other slave State 10 come into the
Union. This class OF politicians proclaim their deter
mnaon only to resist the extension of slavery bu,
10 make war upon by every available mean. which the
legislation OF Congress aiford-indeed 10 use the
legislation of government to assault the inter
ess of part Of it's makers Others again have conended
and intend 10 MAINTAIN all the forms they can, that
none of the territory acquired from Mexico by the treaty
of Guadalupe H,dago shall ever be appropriated Ind.
v,dually or collectively, to a slaveEoldng population
Sir whilst in one form the other, they willing to
give different votes they look distinctly to that end a.
IT. in the language OF the senator from Massachusetts
tMr DAvn1 they maintained, in round terms. that u
qua in any measure that should ce pro
posed here that slavery should be excluded either by
The ope ration OF known natural or by expses'
statutory provision suppose they will, IN different forms
of proceeding effect ths one end for they have the