The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-05
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.


JOSEPH w. JaoKsoN, elected from the State
the resignation Of THOMAS BUTLER KING, appeared,
was qualified, and took his seat
The SPEAKER announced that the first business
in order was the resolution submitted by the gen.
tleman from Wisconsin, two weeks ago. instruct
ing the Committee on Territories to report a bill
for the admission of California into the Union with
her present boundaries, and on which the previous
question had been ordered.
Mr. DOTY then arose, and said that the House,
few days ago, had extended to him the privilege
Of sending to the Committee of the Whole on the
state of the Union bill containing all the pro-
visions necessary for the admission of California,
and embraced all the objects he had in offering the
resolution Therefore he would withdraw it, hav-
ing no desire to press it. He was about to reply to
remarks which had been made with reference to the
motion for the previous question at the time the
resolution was offered when
Mr.. INGE objected to debate
On motion of Mr.. McLANE, the House resolved
itself into Committee of the Whole the state of
the Union, and proceeded to the consideration Of the
special order, being bill continuing in force an
act permitting Baltimore TO levy duty of two cents
per ton all vessels coming into that port for har
Mr. Mel made few remarks in relation TO the
subject, when the bill was laid aside to be reported
to the House.
The committee then proceeded to the considera-
ton of the Presidents special message and the con-
stitution Of California.
Mr.. SACKETT quoted from remarks Of distin-
guished southern gentlemen, 10 show that slavery
Is appalling to every sense OF humanity, and that
institution. He entered into an argument 70 demon
strate that the object and design of the trainers OF
the Constitution were to limit, circumscribe, and
ultimately 10 overthrow slavery. He derived this
from the fact that il had been interdicted from
every portion where Congress had the power to
legslate.
Aside from history, be referred to the Constitu-
ton, and commended that slavery was an institution
- 49, Al
not extended TO portions other than the sphere in
which they were especially enacted 10 exist. IL
slavery shall be introduced into the Territories now
free, northern gentlemen need not say that they
can escape the responsibility. They must act.
crisis has arrived; and, in accordance with the
wishes Of those who have formed constitution for
California, who think that slavery will be prejudi.
cisl 10 their interests, IL must be excluded. For
himself, he not only believed that slavery would be
prejudicial there. but any where. Nine out Of
ten gentlemen who have addressed the committee
said that slavery is evil, and yet they are called
upon TO spread the institution over soil now free.
What has caused this wide spread discontenn Have
any southern rights been violated? No. II IL be-
cause slavery cannot violate the rights Of the free
States. This II the cause. Congress never yet has
made free soil slave soil, and he trusted they
never would; they would with his consent.
But the Union Is 10 be dissolved, For what Tho
same cause, and no other He believed that this
Government was admirably formed Tor defence
against intestine connection; IL IL the strongest
tached 10 IT, and far the dissolution ofthe Union
is concerned, he had no fears. II 10 be dis
solved by no Nashville convention, or by raising
the standard Of rebellion; forces could be rallied
under the black flag OF slavery. lie regarded the
action Of this Administration advantageous 60 the
cause of human freedom. lie believed that II has,
In the position IL has assumed, gone great way TO
secure the territory acquired from Mexico from
the introduction Of slavery. He should only
tain il far as Il sustained that principle snd right
and believed that II has done much 10 relieve the
question Of many of the embarrassments. He would
couple with the provision excluding slavery de-
caratory act forever preventing the introduction
Of slavery; and this would be in conformity with
the Constitution and with the uniform practice Of
the Government from its foundation TO the present
time.
Mr.. MowILIIE said that Il WINS not his tention
10 make party speech. He believed not only that
the Union is in danger, but in imminent danger.
He looked around and saw no point Of safety. On
one hand, the northern States, almost without an
exception, were arrayed against the South on the
slavery question on the other, he saw in the South
State after State assuming attitude Of resistance.
He knew something Of the past he saw and depre-
Gated the present Shadows, clouds and darkness
rest on the people. He loved all Of his country
North and South, and East and West; he loved il
because IL contains the graves Of his ancestors and
the home Of his wife and children, and because
there is common inheritance OF liberty; com
mon glory. and n common hope because the gov
eminent was founded i'm the toll, suffering and
blood OF the revolution, and because our fathers
united us in bonds Of political union. He believed
that they acted wisely. He trusted, he hoped, he
prayed, that neither the ambition OF the few,
the madness Of the many, will be sufficient 10
der the States which God has seemed TO cement to
gether The North are the Agitators and the dis
unionists. Slavery agitation was rife every where;
u had divided churches into North and South, and
disturbed the political and social relations. The
very atmosphere is filed with H. In the late Pres
idcnisl election, the President voted for at the
North on the ground that he was a non-slavcry
man ut the South, because he was pro-slavery
man. The leaders deceived the people that they
might act together. The people have lost control
Of their own government; and this IL the
why, at this moment, the whole Executive depart
ment stands dumb in the presence Of the spirit Of
Abolition. He was no alsrmist, and desired not
TO excite the fears Of any one. He appealed TO the
patriotism Of the House, and 10 the country, whc-
Their these facts ought not 10 serve ~ = warning.
He believed that the time has como when every
who loves the Constitution must stand by
II or die by IL. Tho time has come when
thoughts OF patriotism should prevail. Men