Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-02-23

admitting California and, love this Union as look
its preservation with anxious jealousy, and would say with
General Jackson that must be preserved, every previous
usage every formal difficulty every minor consideration will
be sacrificed and give way under the high demand Of
duty which owe both the constituents represent and the
great Union Of which they form member SaIus popuf
win then be with me supren.a lea.
II to myself Mr. President to say that have eau
ousy avoided allndng any thing connected with the
nation Of this California constitution, except what
to explain the objections feel and have stated the
Senate. And ! am sorry my friend from South Carolina
(Mr BUTLER) thought necessary in urging, strongly
he did, his objections that measure to cast some reflection
for so think ne must have been understoodupon the Pre-
dent Of the United States in relation the formation Of this
constitution Entertaining the opinions do and having
deavored express them frankly and fully to the Senate
proper and just say feel satisfied that that high Junction
ay and noble gentleman has done nothing regard to this
transaction but what sprang from the patriotic motives
that he has used no power no influence OF this Government
to ste control the opinions direct the judgment and
efforts Of the people of California and made no suggestions
to them to the mode form in which they should
establish the constitution under which they desire i've He
has done nohingand confess that cannot The impro
prety OF habut intimate the people his opinion that il
would be proper If they desired admission into this Union,
to form constitution and ask admission. differ from him
In opinion as to the expedency Of admitting them under
sent circumstances but do not arrogae to myself any supe
riory Of judgment.
Mr.. BUTLER I imputed nothing to the President. I
merely said that thought that his Of policy was rather
unfortunate in its results.
Mr.. BADGER. am glad to hear this eIplanaion-very
glad indeed
Mr.. FOOTE. If,he honorable Senator viii allow me-
Mr. BADGER. Certainly
Mr. FOOTE. The honorable Senator has spoken great
deal about preceden He known to be strongly in favor
of following precedens-more So perhaps than any other
member Of the Senate He has stated that in his opinion
the President of the United States did interfere Improperly
in the question Of the State Government Of California and
should like 10 have him tell me if he met with prece
dent like this He has made the confession that the Pres
III nd he nd rnnch
at loss to Justify the course OF the President.
Mr. BADGER did not make any confession with re-
gard to the President know of what the Pres
dent has done than the honorable Senator from Mississippi
knows All the Information have is contained in the Pre-
sdenls message and the papers accompanying it. called for
and promptly communicated and that he told the
truth, the whole TRUTH and nothing but the truth With
gard precedents spoke Of those which should govern in
matters of legislation, with which concerned in the halls
Of Congress do undertake to judge for the President
the United States what might be the proper for him
to pursue in the extraordinary circumstances in which the
country is placed, and which have precedent in history
But what meant TO say was that the Presidents in what he
did, actuated by high patriotic motives and did nothing
directly ndrecily 10 control influence the convention
of California.
desire, Mr. President keep this subject entirely clear
from the topics that embaass the exercise of
judgment and understanding and take this occasion soy
that the objections which have stated did not exist
be removed and if other objections which had to the early
admission of these Territories into the Unon independently
was
ratified which felt then strongly and have continued feel
since, removed should feel myself at liberty to
govern my for the admission Of that State by any
sdeaon to the form Of government they have adopted
fully recognise that when any people, properly assembling
under the laws of the United States form constitution and
government for themselves, they the only authority on
earth which has right to determine the particular mode in
which the internal affairs Of the State shall be admins
tered Congress may and indeed, bound 10 require that
the constitution he republican This the only authority Of
supervision, the only restriction upon the full authority OF
the State that she shall introduce into system any
monarchcaI arstocrac elements which uncongenial
with our institutions and might disturb the harmonious ope
ration of the Government have stated the difficulties that
have pressed upon my mind accord fully with the honor
able Senator from Missouri (Mr BEHroS) that this is large
subject and that it should he fully and properly considered
and with the honorable Senator from South Carolina (Mr
BrTLxR that should all make known whatever objections,
difficulties, opinions have And honorable
Senators that SO far have stated my difficulties, have
stated them frankly, open to truth, and shall willingly
ceve and upon any information argument which
expose my errors, if into errors have fallen.
Mr.. WEBSTER. do not propose at present to go into
any extended remarks upon this profoundly important matter
purpose mainly is to concur in the sentiments OF the ho
norable member from Missouri and the honorable member
from South Carolina in the propey Of giving to this subject
under this motionand it may we'll be done under this
motion under any ohera COOL ca and deliberate con-
sderaon and discussion in the Senate. is question that
agilates the whole country is question in which all por-
tions of the country take very deep interest and far
concerned, question that will receive from
dspassionae COOL calm, and thorough examinations do
TO say that shall myself give it thorough exam
nation only promise that, for myself mean to con-
slider calmly, deliberately and with comprehensive regard
far abe the entire interests OF the whole coun
try think, sir that very appropriate suggestion
the part OF The honorable member from Missouri whose
particular motion under consideration that the motion
should take the ordinary and debente Of discussion
in the Senate which its great porance demands, and that
every member of the Senate shall have opportunity TO de-
berate upon IT, and express his opinion the result of
such deberaon do not wish 10 intimate any purpose OF
Immediately addressing the Senate perhaps may do so in
the further progress OF the question: And lake OCCASION
since up say that exceedingly graiied with the
fairness and cando with which end the honorable member
from North Carolina has expressed himself upon this subject
He has stated the difficulties which he thinks deserve the
consideration of Senate but which he does not undertake
say absolutely nsupeabe and therefore ne holds him
self with open and candid mind TO receive and consider
any that may be given. This is air, manly, patriotic
agree that there are difficulties. agree that the case is
without any precedent the legislation OF this country
and hope that if may not others may be able to satisfy
my friend that those difficulties not altogether supera-
bic feeling that is duty this occasion TO consider
the that is without precise precedent and to
apply the cearest anaoges the closest resembance
and the best settled principles Of action in the practice Of
government well may he able In that spirit, sir,
will be, if say any thing at ALL that shall say IT. AHd for
the present shall my purpose by saying that con-
entirely in the suggested by the two honorable gem
emen the other side of the chamber TO whom have al.
ued and in the opinion that would be proper, and just
and reasonable that this motion should be hasened 10 no i
mediate dccson but that every member OF The Senate should
have time and opportunity afforded him TO oler such argument
be may deem proper TO offer the general subject
Mr. HALE. have hut word to say this subject
There has something said about pecedents. Think
far regards step in the progress OF this question: we
without preccdeDts And, therefore, think may
appeal with confidence the honorable Senator from North
Carolina to give his in the line Of precedent The