The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-19


lions in dispute, but the restoration Of those raierna
feelings without which, though there may be political
union there can be no union OF affection II seems 70 oe
distinctly understood that the discussion OF the subject OF
the admission OF California TO 90 on, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
the reference TO this committee and before the discussion
can be terminated under any circumstances TO Judge oy
the progress made, the report will De received ana we
shall then have made progress towards soluuon
OF our difficulties; we shall have done something much
indeed, trust towards the admission oil California and
the establishment of the necessary territorial govern
ments ,
repeat what have before said, that consider the
admission OF California certain as any event which has
not Yet happened unless prevented by some process OF
machinery OF legislation in the other House, such has
been alluded TO here and elsewhere. trust, however
that no such will be resored TO- should
slider il OF action greatly 10 be deprecated, All
have TO do is to permit the committee 10 consult and
bring back report A good deal has been said about
compromises as though by the appointment OF this
miee we were proposing TO surrender great prnci
pie lying at the foundation OF our government Indeed
one might suppose from the temper and eanestness dis
played. that our whole social and political system to
bepnt hazard byths very harmless attempt to adjust
troubles BY compromise committee And such are our
fears OF this terrible word, that have actually struck
it out of the resolutions, where il had been very
properly introduced and made ourselves sale behind
the shelter of its substitute adjustment. Why, sir,
neither the word nor the thing is SO very terrible.
This world is world Of compromise From the cradle
to the grave human life is full OF compromises A
cure the remander and from the beginning to the end
OF bis years the same principle marks his progress.
He who stands upon his position with rigid infexibity,
and expects the world to bow before him. will soon
find by experience how much he has deceived him
self In the operations OF all governments there must
be compromises suppose there never was law
passed which precisely met the views in all particulars,
OF every taking part in legislation. Each can see
something which, 10 his opinion might be improved,
but each has 70 surrender something TO coMraoMIsE,
cessons are TO be made TO lead to compromise in any
given practical question, TO be determined by the
circumstances suppose no one dreams OF the cession
tha nj
California. With the views entertain, and have ex-
pressed upon that subject never consent 10 conro
mise away her rights. Such measure is dlsavowed in
all parts OF this chamber But measures Tar short OF
that from the indications have received, would afford
satisfactory grounds for adjustment Many who object
to the admission OF Calfon insulated PROPOSE
ton, have avowed their willingness to abandon their oP.
position if that measure is connected to bill for the
government OF the Territories Is that compromise
which involves any surrender of principle or indeed, OF
expedencyi Is it moi small peace offering upon the
altar Of country ii it is followed by the restoration OF
peace and harmony As has been well remarked hy the
distinguished Senator from Kentucky i will be fulfilling
an obligation have soemnly taken; it will give
equally to the people acquired by the same treaty the
governments suited to their condition.
II is, in fact compromise, but the performance Of
duty II is doing precisely what ought to do, and what
ehave engaged to do II the opposition to California can
be removed by such actcompromse, il you please to
ai-and that State brought into the Union more easily
and speedily as believe 1t can, am in favor OF II
as should be opposed 10 il, that great measure
put hazard And hold myself free 10 act after the
report Of the committee as am nowunder no obligation,
however slight TO accept il, unless think it Just and
sonable And am well satisfied that shall secure
the admission of California much by this process
than by any other especially BY endless opposition and end
less discussion, OF which this day has had its full share,
has many day before, and as will many day here
AFTER if the spirit prevails; and while thus
talking about delay in the admission OF California, that
very delay produced by this than by all 9TH
er causes put together.
am opposed to any instructions, for most obvious
reason. Would you make a farce OF what should be a
th
body as a committee OF reference, have you not conf
dence enough in them TO trust something to their discre
on II you have not, you had better abandon the pro
ject Cannot you trust them TO talk over this whole
matter, and to tell you what they think of it, without fe
terng their thoughts and their tongues, and saying omit
this and that subject for we cannot trust you even TO Oh
fer an opinion upon il! Why, SIR, no honorable man
would serve upon such committee, purportlng 10 be or
ganzed for great national purpose, and responsible in
the eyes OF the country for s proceedings and its recon-
mendaons, but Invested oil all means OF effechng any
valuable object and rendered mpoent by the very act OF
its creation. | am willing TO have the opinion OF any
thirteen members OF this Senate upon this whole subject
and then shall be as free as j am willing 10 consider
their report in spirit OF respect and TO adopt just
much OF il as think the public interest requires In the
mean time, and while The committee is celebrating,
shall vote with the distinguished senator from Kentucky
Tor proceeding with the discussion respecting the adms
sion Of California and making all the progress we can
Mr. BENTON. Is the amendment proposed by the
The VICE PRESIDENT The Chair has been in
formed by the Secretary that this amendment was sub
mlted TO the original motion; when that was withdrawn,
il submitted to the now pending. The Chair,
referring the amendment proposed by the senator
ron Missouri, finds that there is verbal difference,
though he cannot doubt but that the substance is the
same.
Mr. BENTON The Chair, then. decides that the
amendment OF the honorable senator from Maine is not
The 'v VICE PRESIDENT The impression Of the
Chair is that it is not in order that question has been
passed upon by the Senate.
Mr.. HAMLfN. Will the Chair allow me to make an
inquiry Was there any amendment to the motion now
pending
Mr. fooTE. will state TO the honorable senator,
that the other day, pending the question OF the amend
ment OF the honorable senator from Missouri, al the in
stance OF my friends, consented 10 modification OF my
NOTION and presented II in its present shape Ii was
newed, as will be by referring 10 the record.
The VICE PRESIDENT. The Chair will state what
he understands be the fact The Chair understands
that the original motion was TO refer the resolutions OF
the senator IRON Tennessee 10 select committee and TO
that motion the senator from Missouri submitted his
amendment, which is follows: "that nothing in this
resolution shall be construed 10 authorize the said com.
nee to take into consideration anything that relates 10
the admission OF California into the UnIon." On that a
vote was taken, and II rejected The senator from
Name now submits the following amendment; "except
80 much OF the relates 10 the admission OF Cali
lorna a State"
Mr.. HAMLIN There are certain resolutions named
70 the motion submitted by the honorable senator from
mttee TO be raised My motion is simply TO prevent a
part oil these resolutions from going TO that committee,
leaving the rest OF the resolutions 10 90. The other
amendment that the whole OF the resolutions should
20 that committee, but that they should not upon
hem think that there is difference in the two prop
osilions propose 10 keep from that committee GER
lam portion OF the resolutions included in the motion
by baa nd