The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-19

the employment offetaatory language and to the deca
ration OF sentiments which i Is painful now even 70 be
season had al last arrived when we would be able TO
consult together calmly, and to interchange our views
freely without resorng at all to the language Of GRIMM
alton and and trust that what we have Just
witnessed will turn out to be nothing more than the efer
vescence of the moment, to be presently succeeded by
feelings more proptious to profitable discussion The
specimen OF heated defamation with which The honoT
able senator from Florida mr. YULEE has SO unseason-
Mr. YftGLEE If the honorable senator will permit me.
proach. On the contrary have great respect for the
motives which influenced the committee in their labors.
am sure il would be very far from my purpose, and
as strongly might be- and as plainly as might be, my
own opinions in reference TO this matter
Mr. FOOTE. do not at all doubt the honorable SEN
ators dissemination as Just avowed BY him. TO awaken
unpleasant feelings any quarter and wish could say
that his language in perfect harmony with his in
isniions but must yet insist that what he has thought
e asE q s's
do not doubt he will himself discover to be the case,
when he shall read faithful report OF his spoken words
Mr. President, am not az all surprised that the
senator from Florida has been betrayed into the
use OF somewhat exorbitant language, nor that ne
should have evinced that special lrrtabty o feeling
which has I %arksd kd al iast hs; fallen from hm = ns
the whole bill upon the table, upon motion which was
designed TO give 70 this measure its qqieus with view
proposition. position For weeks have we been struggling to
ward of from the South the dishonor and injustice
which we believed would result from the admission OF
California separately--apart from those compensating
advantages which we believed would result from
general plan OF compromise, the adoption OF which might
permanently settle all those dislractng questions which
the vital interests Of the South in such imminent dan
ger. We had, after passing through scenes OF excite
ment such as the country has seldom Witnessed at last
succeeded the California bill had been blended with
bill for establishing territorial governments simply, Dih
out the Witm0f P,0psO-iogether with proposition TO
lablish the boundary line between Texas and New Mex
with view to taking up the California bill by ITSELF The
senator from Florida voted with the adversares OF the
South. and was very near being the only southern SEN
ator who did so. Who could doubt after this the honor
able senators being BY means in compromising mood,
who thus refused to the friends of the present
ure even the ordinary facilities Tor ameoratng its pro-
visions before the period for its final adoption rejection
should have arrived! Who feel the least surprise at
his having given a speech much more decamat0ry
than argunentaive, and abounding with phaseoogy any
thing but respectful and gracious! Let never be for
gotten, that 1t is the senator from Florida who has so
unnecessarily and unseasonaby attempted to close the
door OF compromise-that is he who has virtually said
our northern brethren will not interchange irater
nal sentiments with you with view to the adjustment OF
questions which have placed The Union itself in serious
Which, intended 10 sseas ,be South ssf y from spoa
on and ayage; prefer discord TO harmony; scenes OF
blood and violence to domestic peace and security and
the undIsturbed enjoyment oil these free institutions
which our noble forefaihers have provided for u.s.
Mr. President, shall endeavor, in what have to say,
to avoid the least approximation TO that example which
has been set us by the honorable senator from Florida
and shall exert myself zeaousy possible IN that
work of pacihcaiion and compromise, which is now IN
such hopeful progress The question presented TO us BY
the amendment OF ,my honorable colleague Is certainly
one of some dehcacy. The points which have been
drawn into discussion in conuexon with that amend
ment are both interesting and important but certainly
not at ali new, either 10 the Senate or to the country
There are but few OF intelligent citzens who have
not made up already, definite and satisfactory opinion
upon the grea, question whether the Mexican laws abo
shng slavery are now ghifay N force in those terrific
rial possessions recently acquired from the Mexican
public and most OF them have made up their minds also
touching the probability Of African slavery going into
New Mexico. Utah and Caliioma, i unprohlDea BY law
question, both orally and in writing and there seems to
be about as much diversity OF opinion in regard 10 II
as has ever marked controversy OF this character
II is my own good or i'll fortune TO have adopted
views OF very ultra southern cast, both IN relation 10
the present validity OF the Mexican laws referred To-. and
relative TO the adapedness TO slave labor OF the whole
OF that region stretching from what were lately the
western limits OF the United States, 10 the remote Pa
cifc coast know that the opinions OF the honorable
senator from Kentucky Mr. CLaY] have been expressed
on several occasions in opposition TO those which
entertain both upon The question OF law and fact Nor
do attach only slight Importance to these opinions OF the
honorable senator IRON Kentucky. His years, hls hgo
character his extended infuenee mpart TO hls opinions
upon all questions connected with the administration OF
pubcconcerns imposing dignity OF which am most
he Intellectual faculties Of the honorable senator from
Kentucky, and his public character cannot unite with
the honorable senator from Florida in that conclusion to
which he to have arrived, that the simple enuncia
ton OF his views by the senator from Kentucky, IN the
course of debate here, sufficient 10 settle at once any
question concerning which he may be called upon TO pro-
nounce, and that the conclusions OF his mind. when
once soemnly declared, carry with them such irresistible
authority, that il s both presumptnous and vain Tor
any other human being TO gainsay them. This Is
sort Of Difference that have never yet rendered 10
any man. living dead. and which should be some.
what ashamed TO avow, even were capable oil feeling H.
cannot take il for granted as the senator from FLORIDA
MISE the opinion of the honorable senator from Ken.
lucky, touching the validity OF the Mexican laws abolish
ing slavery in newly acquired Territories, VIII al once
become the universal opinion o the country and even 50
far operate towards the settlement OF the question prsc
csly against the South to can for special preventive
Legislation ON the part Of Congress After ALL the honor
able senator from Kentucky Is bat single individual "a
great consideration but he Is not Judicial officer Tor
tue decision Of the question referred TO and were ne
syep upon the bench, would be stil possible ior MN
I, err in judgment Judges have often done 80 hereto.
fore and we should not forget that Blackstone has told
us that the opinion OF the court and the law are not con
verble ermss since oentmes happens that The Judge
mistakes the law. But. sir. has the senator irom
the legal profession eminent az any jursts 10 Amer
ica have asserted TO be their opinion. that the treaty o
Guadalupe Hidalgo coupled with the ACT OF conquest
carried the constitution oi the United States with all ITS
high suaranes iato all the ceded territory, and that mus
the Mexican laws were al once repealed, by reason
OF their Inconsistency with the organic Law oil the re-
publ,cl L. at least have not forgotten the able de-
bates ON this question which have occurred, at different
periods, in the wo houses OF Congress yet bear ~
vivid remembrance the able, unanswered, and, IN my
Judgment. upanswerabe argument OF the honorable
senator from Georgia, over the way, Mr. bEaRIEs,