Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-11-02
SPEECH OF Mr.. cRowELL,
OF OHIO,
On the admission Of California into The Union.

HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES, JusE 5, 1850.
The House being in Committee Of the Whole the
of the Union on the Presidents message relating Cali
fornia--
II Mr. CROWELL said Mr.. Chairman my desire to pro-
gress with the public business proceed at once
upon the various propositions before forbade early
day to take part IN the discussion which has consumed
much of time the Of the present
sion. And after had changed my original purpose, and
made up my mind to be heard upon he great question of
the days" the difficulty Of obtaining the floor among such
multitude of competitors has been disheaenng that have
than once resolved TO all further efforts address
thStommttee But not having been wholly unobservant Of
the fruit which YIELDS and having been early
taught to cultivate the Of patience, have held to
the present and now Mr.. Chairman through your
kindness have secured the floor and will proceed
to the immediate subject under consideration end that
understand II the message Of the President Of the United
States communicating this House the Constitution Of Cali
fonia do not cherish the vain hope that any thing may
say will have the slightest influence upon the of single
member OF this House. To give the Of my vote
and vndcaie the course which deem il just pursue will
be the main purpose Of my remarks. If the constitution Of
California shall be found to be in compliance with the requ
sons Of the Constitution Of the United States the President
earnestly recommends that may receive the sanction Of Con-
gress In this recommendation, sir is hardly necessary for
to say cordially am in favor Of the immediate
admission Of Caifona into the Unon unembauassed with
any other subject Of legislation with its present ample boun
dares and Its glorious free constitution There limit
qualification in the Constitution Of the United States to the
power granted Congress admit States Unon
Il
sad when the Unon the United States guaranty every
State q republican form of government.
But unexpected and permit to add unjustfable
opposition has lately made Its appearance and various obec
tions have recently been invented spd urged in certain
quarter against the admission Of California Of the
States Of this Union Whatever form these objections may
assume and whatever disguise they may be made to
plain to my mind, and truth obges to say that they
animated by kindred motive, and all spring from
orign-a determined but unjustable hostility to
provisions Of her constitution nterdc'ng slavery within
her Limits.
The first section of her Bill of Rights declares
That all are, by nature, free and independent and
have certain naenabe rights, among which those Of
enjoying and defending life and liberty acquiring possessing
property and pursuing and obtaining safety and
And coroary drawn from these great and fundamen-
\ tai truths the eighteenth section provides:
| " That neither slavery involuntary servtude unless
the punishment Of crimes shall ever be tolerated in this
/ State"
These are the provisions in the constitution of California
which awaken much hostility in the American Congress-
in the year eighteen hundred and fifty and the sanction of
which, told by some would be sufficiently offensive
to call for and to justify disruption Of this Union.
Sir, not prepared to believe without further proof,
that madness and folly have gained such dominion have
achieved complete triumph any considerable portion
Of the Southern people, notwithstanding the late
rences in this hail. sentiment dscredtable would
imply. ncredulous, and must wait for further
developments before am convinced
But let us consider the objections which the application of
Il
counered and weigh them candidy and impsrtialy. And
though they numerous and urged with appearance
zeal and eanestnes think will be found easy matter
them The first is, that no act Of Congress was
passed authorizing the people of the Territory form State
constitution. This is rue and if the previous action Of
Congress necessary give this power the people,
the objection would be fatal But is necessary Con-
gress has the power admit States and it is perfectly
competent the exercise Of this power dispense with all
preliminary orms and find that has been done repeat
ed during the hreescoe years that have elapsed since the
adoption Of the Federal Constitution. Eight States have
been admitted in this way, being majority Of the whole
number admitted and extending the whole period of
the existence of the Union-Vemont in 1871 Kentucky in
l792 Tennessee in 1896; Maine in 1920 Arkansas in
1886; Michigan in 1887 Florida in lS45 and Iowa in
1916. may be convenient is true for the people of
Territory to act under the authority Of Congress in
bling constitutional convention, and if unreasonably
delayed would perhaps be desable but such authority not
necessary the practice of the Government has clearly de-
monstrated. If question: however, of the first
impression, and without precedent guide us, for
should maintain that the preliminary action of Congress
would be regular and conformabe to the dignity
and importance Of the subject Such preliminary action
would be viewed invitation to the people Of the Terri
tory forward and form State government and take
their position member Of the Federal Unon which could
fail Of being highly appreciated by those to whom would
be addressed But sir am not at liberty to view it in that
light and ineose this objection. It is enough for that
the question has been settled by competent authority.
by the deconI acquesce in the former usage Of the
Government.
L
much respect and may be dsegarded with impuniy when
ever we please to do co. This may Re in
depends much upon the character of the legislators and
influences which surround them. If they wise upright
and honest men, possessing character for purity and nteg
ty like those in the Congress of 1871, of 1892, and OF
1885, that eevates them above corupng influences and the
suspicion Of selfish and impure motives bow with respect
Difference their decisions do to those of respectable
judicial tribunals Objections, however, to following legsa
tive precedens in the present instance with an exceed
ingy pace from those who aided in establishing them, and
by whose votes and other official they have frequently
| been sanctioned.
There is another reason Independent Of those already ad
vanced iusfying the Of California. refer to the
shameful neglect Congress its last session. in 6lmen
of solemn treaty obligations to provide government for her
The Territory left without any legal protection, except
that of mere military government. Her condition was
peculiar one The wealth of the country beyond COM
putatop and the published account of struck the world
with amazement Her mountains, lifting their SUBMITS to
the Skies were filled with the precious metals and her rivers
literally and without figure Of speech, rolled golden
sands to the ocean, The population, both by and land
rapidly increasing and mpeed by necessity that al
most forbid waiting look up preceden the people pro-
ceeded once, and very wisely, in my Judgment TO form
State government The constitution is before and evi
dences degree of craftsmanship and is imbued with spirit
of devotion to republican liberty that would be credabe
the Oldest State in this Union. With all the earnestness
with which able to give utterance to the feelings and
wishes of my heart for bid young sister the Pa
cc coast hearty and cordial welcome to the family circle
But another objection urged, and that is the want of
sufficient population and this is frivolous the AREA
y considered 1t is impossible Of course to state definitely
and with entire accuracy the number of Inhabitants in Cali
fonia when the constitutional convention assembled We do
know however, the number of votes cast Mt the recent elec
tiop and from them the number of inhabitants may be e