The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-04

MI. SChENCh asked Tor the yeas ana nays
Mr.. sCHENCK requested that the seventy ninth
rule be read.
The SPEAKER said that il required unanimous
consent; which not given.
MIR. SCHENCK then asked that gentlemen read
the rule for themselves
[The rule is follows: at shall also be the duty
Of the Committee of Ways and Means, within thir
~ days after their appointment at every session of
Congress, commencing on the first Monday of De-
cember, to report the general appropriation billsfor
the civil and diplomatic expenses of the Govern
ment for the army; for the navy; and for the In
dian department, and Indian annuities-or, in fail
ure thereof, the reasons of such failure.']
Mr.. BAYLY wished, by unanimous consent, TO
make statement.
Mr.. STANLY would have no objection, if the
rules should be suspended
Mr.. p KING inquired whether the resolution
W as debatable.
The SPEAKER replied, not unless the rules be
suspended sE%a I,ea.,;o. 49,. ..,on 49, ,u 49,. !,
yeas ST. nays SO, the House refused to suspend the
rules
MIR. McCLERNAND wished to make motion,
to which he trusted there would be no objection.
He understood that on Tuesday week the vote
would be taken on the California question num-
Der of gentlemen wish to speak, and some alb
sent Unless the House devote this week to dis
custom, many gentlemen will be deprived OF an
opportunity to participate in the debate. He there
fore proposed that the House go into Committee of
the Whole on the state of the Union, for the pur-
pose of taking up the subject of the
ADMISSION OF CALIFORNIA.
The motion agreed to; and Mr.. BOYD
called to preside over the deliberations of the com
mttee.
Mr. BoCOCK, of Virginia, said that he tried
seven weeks ago to obtain the floor, and had some
suggestions to submit applicable to the condition of
the debate at that time; but so long had been his
probation, and change having taken place in the
aspect of affairs, what was then appropriate was
now antiquated and antediluvian. By every feel
ing and impulse of his nature he Virginian,
bound to her by the strongest ties; and he proceed
cd to vindicate that State from tho ''foul aspcr-
sions which had been cast upon her with an UNI
sparng hand" He denied that the slavery agita-
ton was gotten up by the Democrats TO weaken the
Administration, and proceeded to show that the
North has disregarded her constitutional obligations
in relation to slavery; and passing from this point
and noticing Others he opposed the Wilmot proviso
the Presidents plan or recommendation, and the
compromise, called by its friends the adjustment;
because, by these propositions the South get moth
ing and the North all. Nothing but important
equivalents could induce him to vote for the admis-
sion of California into the Union. In the course Of
his remarks, he spoke of State rights, and said
gentlemen would do wrong to pass unconstituton-
al and oppressive laws, and try with the bayonet
enforce them. The Union must be bound by af-
lection and Cancellation the part of all its mem
bers III we shall cease 10 look to the past and keep
within the constitutional limits, all would rejoice
that circumstances had arisen that caused US to
take this view of the subject agitation will cease,
and our country will then be spanned by the bow of
perpetual peace and promise
MIR. CROWELL, of Ohio, said that in the recon-
incubation of the President that California be ad
United, he most heartily concurred. He was in ia
of her immediate admission, unembarrassed
with any other subject Of Legislation, with her pres
ent boundaries, and with her glorious free in
stitutions He was most anxious to give the young
sister hearty greeting into our family circle. He
answered the objections made to the admission of
that State, and said if the charge that the President
haa into ba ha
interference could impair the right of any State and
prevent her admission; il certainly, on no Just
principle, could inure to the injury of California.
The President in the most emphatic manner,
denied all undue interference, and this ought
TO satisfy all unprejudced minds. MIR. King,
the special agent, denies it, the members of Con-
gress from California deny it, and the newspa-
pers received from San Francisco Indignantly de-
NY the charge. 1t has no foundation in fact. The
friends of California did not introduce the question
of slavery into the debate Ii had been forced upon
them; and now let it be understood that they are
willing TO meet u.
For one, he preferred the turbulence of freedom
to the calm quiet of despotism. The way of life
was not more carefully guarded (after the disobe-
dience and expulsion OF Adam and Eve) by the
flaming sword of the Seraphim than the freedom
of the territories by the wise and patriotic leg
islation of those who achieved independence
and established our free republican institutions.
He denied that this is pro- slavery Government
An examination into the preamble of the Constitu-
ton. Our revolutionary fathers, fresh from the
battle field, after having broken the oppressor's
arm, and won glory for themselves and liberty for
their country carefully excluded the term "slavc-
ny' from the Constitution.
Mr. COLCOCK saw but little prospect of settling
the questions which agitate the country He was
free TO confess that he viewed the admission Of Cal
ifornia, and all the measures connected with her,
as the most momentous which have occurred
in our history. He regarded every step taken from
the commencement as nothing but a series of usurp-
ations, unsanctoned by law, unwarrantcd by the
Constitution, and unsustained by precedent. He
had looked into the documents, and satisfied
that the late administration did not take the ntia
tive in the formation Of the constitution Of Caifor-
MIA. He condemned the President for advising the
formation OF the constitution of that State, and op-
posed her admission. sovereign State has as
much right to leave the Union California has TO
force herself into it. But he trusted that the day Of
secession will never come What ia law to- day be-
comes precedent tomorrow. II the admission oil
California all her Irregularities, then,
hereafter, need never seek justice for any thing
and will have only 10 consult precedent. The peo-
| pie OF California, he argued, were urged 10 form a
constitution and apply for admission into the Union
called upon TO sanction a constitution which was
] formed TO exclude them. IL was the last recon.
mendation the President ought TO have made, be
cause he came into office with the express decara
ton of non interference with the Legislative will
Il should have been left 10 Congress to decide how
California should come in. He was yet 10 learr
that IL s the duty of the Executive TO supply omis
sions Of Congress, and our history shows no sucl
usurpations. He wished that the controversy
could be adjusted as TO give repose 10 the coun
| try; but he wanted something 70 secure that end
and not patchwork. In conclusion, he expressed
himself against the compromise now before tn,
Senate, as all the advantages were given to tn,
/ North.
| Mr.. SYLVESTER, OF New York, had no fear o.
/ disunon; il not in the hearts of our country
men. Here, in Congress, is the confusion. tn,
/ people calm and composed as a summer
| morning. II any man should openly advocate
dissolution Of the Union, he would become as cele
brated the individual who fired the temple a
! Ephesus, and notorious as Benedict Arnold lie
a resolution be passed to dissolve the Union, anc
members here would soon be dispossesscd Of the
seats by their constituency. The ''bone and snew'
are firm, and ready to Illustrate any scheme pro
posed for disunion. Not only the people, but ma
| ture and art combine TO continue us now and for
ever, one and indissoluble, one people. Our noun
tains and lakes, our rivers, say ought to be ont
people. Our telegraphs, railroads, and other mean
| Of communication, demand it, This is the opinion
Of the people; the undoubtcd, unquestonable feel
ing Of the people. What IL the feeling hcrei
was painful TO alude 10 IT, He then noticed
| briefly, remarks which were made carly in the ses
sion by southern members With the Union, W,
have the prospects and blessings Of the future ant
| tho Olorv of the nast Without the Unon WI