Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-27
70 the Editors Of tie Timer. -

Westmoreand Resolutions, my name and onnions ar,
presented SO conspcuousyt to the public, that deem
proper in order TO prevent misconceptions to exnain m,
own views and to vindcae the position of the conntv
You say that one OF the Westmoreand resolutions !:
PECULIAR and that the position assumed is not sustained
III any other quarter In this respect, think you are
mistaken But however that may be, the proper jnqu.
y would is the position sound and tenabe; not whe-
Their has been taken by others, but whether it should
| now be maintained! beg TO premise that upon this
subject am influenced by no party conside raons
40 not inquire who recommends or who opposes the
measure 1t is enough for to believe that is utter
destructive OF the rights and interests of the South to
call forth my unqualified opposition To act different
~ IN the present crisis, would become partizan but
not patriot.
The resolution objected to airms chat the proposi-
| ton to admit California into the Union uoith her
than the Wilmo Proviso." This resolution was DELHI
eraely prepared deliberately discussed in committee and
in the public meeting, and adopted with great unanm-
ity. And the card Of Mr. Lewis to the Contrary not
population OF this enlightened and patriotic county
which, at the last Presidential election, sustained Cen
era Taylor by our-fifths of its votes 1t must there
ore be taken as the deliberate Judgment OF the county
certainly under party bias against the adnnstrat
If this subject generally understood which sim
cerely trust will be before final action there would be
few intelligent men in the entire South uninuenced by
party that would not cordially adopt the Westmorelaud
resolution Let us examine it. "The proposition to adj
init California with her proposed Boundaries is, in no
| respect, more deensibe than the Wmot Proviso" If
be more detensble be good Messrs Editors as to
enlighten US in what particularl For my own part
think it more Objectionable shall proceed to show
AS to the unconstltuonaity OF the Wimo Proviso on
which you seem to lay stress, think am safe in saving
has not materially influenced the feelings or action OF
the people OF the South. Whether constitutional or not
itwoud have been resisted arbitrary and tyrannica
exercise OF power-and surely it will not be pretended
that the only ground for resistance to unjust oppressive
and tyrannlcal measures is the want of constitutional
thority to enact them large portion OF our people
eoncede the power to abolish slavery in the District of
EpI,r bIa. thora
cisel
An abuse of power may be wanton and ruinous to
the rights interests and happiness of section or even of
individuals, demand resistance no less than the
most fragrant uSu'pation.
The point at issue between the North and the South
the division OF the territory acquired by the treaty with
Mexico The North insists that no portion Of this ter
ritory shall be inhabited by slaves The South
maintains, with equal trmness that we have right to
fair participation and that will not submit to be ex-
cluded from it. In this state OF things, the Wimot Pro-
vso an open manly proposition, is offered to test the
very question at ISSUE The South apprzed of the me-
ditated attack ressts it with entire unanmity. The
North under the stress Of circumstances retreats from
its position, and falls back the proposition to admit
California she is, as substitute for the Wlmot Pro-
vso; proposition entirely satisfactory to the North be-
will accomplish couery, all that the Wilmot
Proyiso seeks openly to attain. Examine the map
mark the boundaries of the proposed State of California
and let any candid and intelligent man decide if they
must not have been adopted substitute for the Will
mot Proyiso. They embrace the entire sea coast on
tne HlIeS extent; IN South, running
back to the Colorado river and embracing nearly all
that part OF California South OF sc deg. 30 mn worth
conest-coverng ali area OF more than 1000 square
miles, being equal IN extent to nine OF the thirteen ORR
gnal States, including the large States of New York
and Pennsylvania, and almost 10000 square miles over
The entire population not exceeding 100 600 souls and
the Constitution formed without the previous assent of
Congress to the boundaries or any OF those prelmina
ry steps that have heretofore preceded the formation of
a new State. The whole population South of the Mis-
sour line protested against being included in the State
of California, and insisted on territorial government
saying to the people of the North, make State 60
vernmen for yourselves, if you please but leave us to
take care of our own interests" Yet they were in
Guided against their solemn protest. and this act of ar
bltrary power Is now indicated by an appeal 10 the
right of people to establish institutions for themselves
The State OF California includes within her proposed
limits 65 900 square miles OF the State of Deseret which
had formed constitution and fixed its boundaries
seven months before the constitution OF California was
adopted For this reason if for other the admission
OF California with her proposed boundaries would be
plain violation OF the Federal Constitution; for if Cali
State can be formed out of parts OF one States
without the consent OF said States and of Congress"
Now, Messrs. Editors, in view OF all these facts i
put 1t to you as reasonable and candid say if
there could be found one in the United States
who would raise his voice in favour Of this measure
there were not a motive, either political or fanatical
operating so strongly as to bias-nay, to desroy-his
Judgment do not conrovert the right OF the people
OF territory when about to form State, to adopt such
institutions may please them; but do insist that
there be right in 100 600 inhabitants OF territory
any number greater or less seize upon the pub
lie domain and such States for themselves as
they please, without consulting Congress to the boun-
diaries.
The principle that would Justify the people of Calfor
MIA in taking enough territory to form nine States would
have authorized them with just good claim OF right
to seize upon the whole public domain, including Ore
gon, New Mexico and all the Territories; and after
forming State, to defy the power OF the Federal Gov
eminent, and invite foreign aid to enable them main
tain their possessions.
1t is in vain say that the of arabic land in
California IS limited Who knows that! Who has, x-
plored sufficiently to express reliable opinion Who
in Virginia. even at this day, knows the OF her
resources Yet we are told with perfect confidence
that this extensive region but Yesterday made known to
people, has been already explored that the nature
and value Of all the lands within its borders can be pro-
perly estimated. Ask any State engineer geologis if
such a pretenson is not absurd and preposterous
The tendency Of this proposition is not only to deaud
US OF our rights but to cheat OF understanding
To submit to the Wlmot Proyso would be mere dis
grace to submit to this iasidious measure would be
disgrace and qualification combined.
You misunderstood me, il you suppose that object
to the admission OF California merely because othe ex-
cluson Of slavery. If there not slave in the
universe the proposition so great an outrage against
common sense that should consider entirely indie
tensible; and no man would be found in the United
States to approve it. 1t is merely because excludes
slavery, that finds favour in any quarter. With pro.
per limits, to be defined By Congress- would for the
sake OF peace, submit to its coming into the Unon not
whstandng the exclusion of slavery and the many ir-
regulartes connected with the whole proceeding and
do not understand any Southern representative or Sen
ator TO concede more. The remarks OF Messrs King
and Mangum, quoted.b YOU imply no more hanthiss
and you do injustice as well to those gentlemen as my
se by your construction OF their observations
have no time to pursue the subject and Tor fuller in
formation refer you to the numbers of "Randolph of
Roanoke, in the Enquirer, winch hope you will read
and as defenders Of the South feel it your duty at an
early day to transfer your columns After rea ding
those numbers and this
will answer the question which again put to YOU as
candid and intelligent men, in what respect under all the
circumstances that surround u.s. is the proposition to ad
init California, with her proposed boundaries more de-
feasible than the Wilmot Proviso!
But said it was WORSE The one is open, the other
c0uert. The exces spirit OF resistance that en-
into false security, from which we shall only awake to
find that rights which have been spared by fate have
been taken by steaHh-and chafed and smartng under
OF degradation, the bonds of the Union will
IL. -n.ana, To-. -il-a l.