The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1850-06-21

ries. beg pardon for this dgresson from the
subject Immediately in view, WHICH was to con-
trsst the recommendation Of the President with
that Of the committee Of Thirteen.
The recommendation of the President stops,
as have already said, with the simple nroduct.
ton Of California as State into the Unions
measure with which, standing by itself, there
have been the strongest manifestations of dissat-
isfaction in the Southern portion Of the country.
The measure proposes TO leave all else nntouch-
ed and unproyided for Let qs see what will be
the condition of all else thus left untouched?
The first proximate territory TO California is
Utah. In what condition is that left by the Presi
dents message? Without any government at
all. Without eVen-ca it blessing or curse,
as you may view it--a military government.
There is TO be no government except such SELF
protective government as the Mormons shall
erect fof themselves. Until the common parent
shall extend its power and authority over it,
Utah will have no government at all
Then we come to New Mexico; and in what
condition do you leave her? You leave New
Mexico with military government. which is
no government
Let me call your attention upon this point of
the subject to what has been said BY the delegate
from that territory, in an address which has re-
colleague read it for me-.
Mr.. Underwood having read the extract refer
red to-
Mr.. Clay resumed With regard to Utah, YOU
| leave no government whatever. except such as
the Mormons have been driven by their necess-
| ties TO create, and when you come TO New Mexi-
co, hers is military government, under colo
nel-a lieutenant colonel of the army of the Uni
| ted States is the governing power OF New Mex
/ leo. iE time of profound peace. We had doubt
about the authority of the late President of the
United States, even in time of war, and 1t was
cause of reproach against him, to establish
! military government But here, in a time of pro-
found peace, it is proposed that such a govern
ment he continued by what authority it has been
established or sustained since the peace ensued.
know moi; but that such government should
be continued indefinitely, unti New Mexico
should be prepared to come 10 as State. And,
when will that be? She has now about 10000
people, Mexicans, Spanierds. and Americans;
and about 10 or 10000 Indians, civilized, half
Civilized, and uncivzed, barbarous and wild.
And say it here in my place, under all the re-
sponsbilites of my official position, that If she
we're to come here tomorrow with such popu-
lation as that, and with such constitution as
such population could make, for one would
not vote for her admission as State into the.
Union She has no sort Of preparation, moral
or political. She has not shown herself to be
capable of sele government, nor has she done
anything emitting her to admission, nor will she,
in my opinion, for many years to come be enti-
tied to admission as a State into this Union
And yet the plan Of the President is to leave this
military government in full operation under a
| lieutenant colonel, when we have this evidence
! | L., Dovlv sofi.,c cafN
that he himself declares that they have very good
, laws. But what sort Of a governor is this mill
tary commander who is placed over them?
suppose one Of the first and greatest objects Of
/ government is protection to The people, defence
3 of territory, and repusing invasion within the
| limits of the country. How does this military
governor, acting, it is said, under the authority
e of The Secretary of War, behave upon the first
: approach of an invasion? Commissioners are
e sent (thev are perhaps the mere pioneers OF an
army) from Texas into New Mexico, claiming
the territory on this side Of the Rio del Norte,
. as the PROPERTY of Texas. And what does this
d Mexican Governor do! DefeHd his domains!-.
repel tbreatenT invasion! No such thing He
Il SAYS he means to be neutral-and has instruc-
n tions from headquarters to be naitral-npon this
contested point between the people of Santa Fe
$ or New Mexico and the people of Texas. The
Y Governor of this very people declares that he
means to take TO part in the contest between the
two parties, but TO leave them to fight it out as.
!. well as they can with the power of Texas. And
J. what American can say that, Under circumslan~
!. ces like these, it is ustifabe in him TO give no
it protection? And, sir, what becomes OF the sa-
e cred obligations Of the treaty of Guadalupe Hi
/? dalgos-of all the honorable distinctions that
o characterize man, in a social aggregate. or ndi
tha full or
,e contracts in private life, or of treaties in public
I life, is one which ccmmends itself most 10 the
te appreciation Of enlightened mankind Yet here.
m with that provision oil the treaty staring us in the
a. face, which requires us to extend protection and
id government Il the people Of Utah and to the peo-
,e pie Of New Mexico, we are told that we may
IS safelg-t is not said, admit, in terms, but it is
k, So in effective may safely withdraw from the
hi fulfiliment Of our obligations, and leave these
v people to themselves TO work out their own sal
tn walton and happiness as well as they may.
,r Under what circumstances, If Congress were
a to adjourn without an adjustment OF this terrific
no rial boundary question, without the Establishment
lis of territorial governments for Utah end New
Mexico. you'd be left the people Of New Mex
Ill ico east or the Rio del Norte. in this conflict
4. with Texas? Sir, | need not remind you of wha
in evtry body knows--of the settled purpose OF dis
m like and nsuferabe anti ipathy existing upon the
D. part of the people of New Mexico toward Texas
lis disowning their authority, denying their con
te qnests, contraveniUg the existence of their laws
n and right and if they have the power to do it. re-
ne voting against their authority. Yet all this il
ye 10 be lei aous and left to take care Of itself b.
the plan of the President.
10. That is not my conception of my duty as al
m. American legislator. IL is my duty as states
s. man TO perform what we have promised 10 per
on form. 80
to NV duty tells me to extend to the people o
m Utah new empire, the benefit Of the suprem
vi. authority in which they participated when the
to were constituent portion of the republic o
Mexico, and which when, they came to US, W
: promised to extend to them, that is my conceI
re.. % ton of nv duty, and will undertake to do j
~, n cannot, on account of the Wmot pfoviso, o
=, - On account of any other obstacle which NAY b
,,h thrown in nv way, shall not have swefVed ffor
-, MY duty, but shall stand acquitted id the sigh
he Of God and my own conscience. Ishaflbe ire
- proachable for having deliberately neglected I
II fulfil or attempt what believe to be the rIgl
he kind of action for applying remedy to me EVIL
e;rs which the country iabors under While IN
ne Presidents plan is confined to single measure
IN n leaving untouched the Governments Of Utah an
IL