The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-02

last-named gentlemen we ask pardon for intima-
ting the possibility of their following the lead Of

ting the possibility of their following the lead of
Mr.. Clay.
After all, as we have seen, there are but four
teen Representatives from the free States on whom
the Shareholders can rely with confidence to sus-
tain the policy of mixing up California with
irrelevant questions thereby putting in jeopardy
the admission of free State, fairly entitled to be
admitted. For nothing is more certain than that,
should the friends Of free territory fail to separate
this question from all others or to insert the Pro-
viso, they will vote to lay the omnibus bill on the
table, and this motion, with the votes it might
receive from the South, would possibly prevail.
Where then, would be that wonderful settlement
Of the whole question which MIR Clay has set his
heart upon This hvggermaggaHS," as Mr..
Benton styles it, if persisted in, will probably
terminate in way entirely adverse to the peace
and plans of Presidential aspirants.
Honesty is the best policy" Admit California.
The American People demand its admission.
Then take up the Territorial Question, fight it
out fairly, openly, by the ordinary methods Of
legislative procedure
80 majority. In the Senate, in all probability,
the majority is the other way. If, after fair and
manly struggle, the two Houses cannot agree, let
them finish the necessary business and adjourn
By the time another Congress shall meet, it is
likely that New Mexico will present herself for
aSmies:sa as State, and the difficulty may then be
settled without much trouble. Do what is clearly
practicable and right; admit California Then
try to do what seems possible, establish Terrific
rial Governments, on sound principles. If this
attempt fail there is nothing left but to adjourn,
and try again at the next session.
We close by re-publishing the main portions of
an editorial from the New Orleans Daily Crescent,
of April 18th, commenting on a late address of
Mr.. Conrad of the House to his constituents. We
have no doubt that it expresses the sentiments of
liberal-mnded Southerners.
ave were among his friends previous to the
nomination for we admired the moral courage
with which he stood up in the Senate of the
United States in defence Of the dead, against the
terrible prestige of that man who conquered every
one who ever dared to thwart him.
"We had looked forward to see him assume an
equally bold stand on the California question
With our knowledge of his conservative spirit,
and his rational attachment, we had expected
him to receive Nth xarmest emotion, the new
State. The world has never seen such a sublime
spectacle--thousands Pf yodyADinrers brQ2bt %.
gether From every part OF the Union, in a'Sewiy.
acquired Terrtory-cut off from the mother
country, snd surrounded by the worthless popu-
lation Of Spanish America--neglected by their
own Government, and left to themselves, without
laws or any regularly established suthOriiy-we
have seen these Americans, without violence or
convulsioh, forming for themselves, from the dis
cordant materials, an organized Government
"They framed State Constitution-they
fixed the boundaries and institutions which ma
ture had assigned-they sent their Representa-
tives to Congress-how are they met by the Rep
resentative Of New Orleans He recognises the
right Of these distant Americans to form Gov
ernment--he admits that slavery is prohibited by
natural lsws-but he says their action has been
irregular But by what standard will you try
the question lin what scale shall it be weighed
Great emergencies make the rule unto themselves.
Does the Constitution say aught of the mode by
which Territories shall be admitted as States2
Not at al, It leaves that to be determined by
future contingencies. Louisiana and Florida
were admitted by treaty stipulations. Texas, a
Republic, with its army and navy, and all the ex
ternal show of foreign independent Govern
ment, wa, annexed. Vermont, Kentucky, Ten
nessee, Haine, Arkansas Michigan, Florida,
Texas, and Iowa, were admitted without any pre-
vious act of Congress authorizing them to form
Constitution and Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, Mis-
sissippi, illinois, Alabama, Missouri, and Wiscon-
sin, were admitted with previous act Why
cavil about the irreguarity after these instances
"But If this is a serious constitutional objec-
ton, how can it be evaded? We are at a loss to
discover what bargain can be made by which the
objection caaa be tand overcome. II Mr.. Con-
rad is correct, then under no possible compromise
can California be admitted with her present Con-
stitut,on.
awe think he is wrong in his opposition to the
admission Of California But, if he is correct in
his objections, he would be certainly wrong in
voting for its admission as one Of several condi-
tions' Either California is entitled to be admit
ted without regard to any other question, or else
California is not entitled to be admitted at all,
and consequently no possible bargain can justify
it,
"The plan carried out by the people of Cali
fornia was favored by both the late and present
Administrations 1t was deemed the best mode
of saving the country from one of the dangerous
questions If we may rely at all on the Wash
ington papers, it is evident that Gen. Taylor de-
sires earnestly the admission of California. MIR
w ebster IN his late speech aV0WS nlmSeI IL ltS
favor. Mr. Foote in his recent incorporate de-
bate with MIR. Benton admits that the admission
of California is certain. We are therefore much
surprised to learn that the Abolitionsts alone
are in favor of its admission as an independent
measure, and that its admission would be suicidal
to the South.
"The Crescent never said, nor intended to say,
that Mr.. Conrad should unite himself to the mis-
cradle Aboltionst faction. But we assure Mr..
Conrad again, that the large majority Of his con-
stituents will be gratifed by his vote in favor Of
the admission Of California as she now presents
herself OF this fact he may rest assured. The
cities of New Orleans and San Francisco are now
in weekly communication, and the sympsthies of
our citizens are daily becoming more deeply en-.
listed in behalf Of our brethren in that remote
region, whose rights we here believe are the
pawns with which politicians are now playing
their own game of selfish aggrandizement.
" Mr.. Conrad, If he votes against the admission
of California, will act counter to the wishes of
the people of his district The address Of the
California delegation aud the report of MIR
King shed so much additional information on the
subject, that We hope MIR Conrad may yet come
to a conclusion more in unison with the feelings
of the citizens of New Orleans
JUDGE WOOD ON THE STUMP.