The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-03

ton Sir, the nation and the gentlemen who now
oppose the admission of California have moi peen 10
the habit of considering precedents OF sucn pihoihg
power in the admission Of States. Territories ana
States had, until Texas came, reached us ~ tne
treaty making power; and IT was then peneVed,
and Is now in quarters asserted thatl lsohiy
by the treaty making power that this nation can
ACQUIRE contiguous territory. But the annexation
of Texas was a legislative movement which re-
mains undisputed, and Is hkeiy 10 DC anoisturoed,
unless Texas herself should feel her honor impinged
upon by the imputed wrongs To the slave interest,
and ask for a restoration TO independence. She of
course will not, like the Virginia side of the Dis
trict of Columbia, seek for retrocession to the pa
rent power.
But gentlemen say that there other Terrific
ries acquired. OF course there But are these
Territories ready to ask admission or are they yet
in condition TO share with usin national security
We must remember that the peculiar circumstances
of California invited thither thousands and thou
sands Of the well informed people OF the United
States-a population which, for activity and intel
ligence, has seldom gone TO new country Men
there, sir, who understand ali the requisites OF
government-instructed in the science OF leglsla-
uon-in the arts Of peace and OF war; iresh from
the institutions of the eastern portion OF the Union,
q mean eastern with regard to California; as yet
uncontaminated with injurious association, and
ready and anxious to secure to themselves and their
descendants the benefit which the people OF the
eastern States enjoy
But there are other portions of this newly az
CURED territory; and because the South has slavery
she is dreaming constantly OF a balance OF power.
strike n balance between slavery and freedom
Are we here if for no other purpose than to
that freedom has no advantages II slavery
cedes, as il has receded from the North, must new
territories be conquered or purchased to keep up
balance! But will not pursue the question There
are Territories beside California The slave States
demand that these shall be admitted now, as Ter
ritories, without prohibition of slavery. The free
States declare that, if they admitted, slavery
shall be excluded.
Here is issue made--which party shall triumph
Fanatics at the North have said, Let us dissolve
the Union, which allows slavery. Fanatics at the
South have said, Let US dissolve this Un on, if it
will not extend slavery. And men on both sides,
whom il will not do to call fanatics, have said II is
better have disunion, peaceabe or warlike, than
to give up or submit to the cause Of dissension.
An honorable gentleman in this House. in
tanning the claims OF the South to extend slavery
in; New Mexico asked, with, remarkable empha-
SIS sWhy may not the South take thither her chat
tells, as we'll as the North2 The northern man may
take thither," said he hs horse, his dog, his ass,
and his machinery. Why may not the southern
carry thither, also, his horse, his dog, his ass,
and his slaves?" Mark the enumeration, how it
tapers down!
'Fine by degrees, and beautifully Less
The answer t5the question, propounded en-
phatically, is the constitutional doubt under dis
cussion. But admitting that no such doubt exist
ed-that the matter was one OF propriety-it would
seem that there might be propounded another
question
When the northern man goes into New Mexico
hundred man power machine, and assists TO form
State why must he, with all these, count but as
one man in the representation ON this floor; while
the southern who takes thither his horse, dog
ass, and five hundred slaves, Is reckoned here as
three hundred and one men.
In this state Of things, Mr.. Chairman, we
Some of the southern States have taken mea-
sures preparatory to conditional dissolution of the
Union-boldly avowcd, and coolly defended; and
few elderly women at the North ask for fulfil
ment of that purpose. if II can be done peaceably
What is the remedy? So true as a territorial gov
eminent is proposed for New Mexico, true will
attempt be made to apply the proviso and SO
that proviso shall be applied, will the
South be justified in receding. So some of the
South declare. Can no remedy befound-no prop
osition be made, which both parties can accept,
without compromising principle? IL appears to
me, sir, the very principle OF government, which
We boast as the distinguishing feature Of Federal
republicanism is that upon which we can all rally
and which a solution of the difficulty be-
fore us-tbe right of the people, viz TO establish
their own government. California presents her
plan-why not accept it, Because it is contended
New Mexico lie not included. Has New Mexico
applied
says the South Well, since the North says she will
not consent TO slavery in the Territories, and the
South says she will have slavery in New Mexico is
II not republicans IL not fair compromise-to
ask New Mexico what she thinks'
Close constructionists always liable TO lead
their followers into difficulties, by creating pre-
cedents which it becomes exceedingly painful 10
adopt.
Years ago, it earnestly commended, when
Territories acquired importance only by the aug
mentaton of population in the portions Of the
ginal possessions, that the authority which the
Constitution gives Congress 10 enact all necessary
laws for the government Of the Territories, ex-
tended only 20 the power Of giving such minute
and local statutes Indispensable TO form
the nucleus Of a social gathering and not that
plete form Of government which provides for these
Territories the appliances, dignities, and convent
hat ma Ne m ON
States, and which induced many Of them 10 retain
their territorial form Of government for the sake Of
receiving national appropriations for public build
ings, and other general convenience, until they
are goaded by party demands or personal pride 70
seek their qualification in election Of two Senators,
and TO have the votes Of an spPortionod repre-
sentation.
And yet, SIR we have a new Territory under an
established form Of government, with municipal
laws suited 10 the genius and habits Of the people;
and we wish 10 disturb all this, and force upon
them territorial government, before have in
fused into them the healthful ingredients Of our
own population, and prepared them for what they
need, and what we require.
Admit California, with such institutions she
desires, and wait year, (surely we are not IN
such hot haste at tie South a. 20 refuse that wait
one year or 90 and see what New Mexico will ask.
hers soil or climate that IL specially appropn-
ate 20 slavery then Il IL probable that she may,
a State, desire such institution. hope not.
n neither climate nor coil il favorable, the South
will not Of course leopard its property by forcing
IL, for the sake Of honor, where IL produce no
profit
l. not this proper difference 10 the principles Of
republicanism-is Il not a fair compromise o. mea-
sures, without an infringement upon principles
Why not then consent 10 this IL Il because just
such measure a. have proposed 20 the COMMITTEES
u the plan Of the Administration Most discord be
produced and disunion threatened in order To Op-
pose the President and Cabinet Docs an OppOsi.
lion, however else dIscordant, unite 20 thvart the
Administration, and build hopes upon the slavery
attachment Of a few Of the party adhercuts Of the
President; Let that party, then, which sympa-
thIzes with the Executive, learn wisdom from theii
opponents, and show that they rest securely
upon the principles Of our republican Government
and sustain their party allegiance without viola
ton Of their national attachments. II IL IA beautiful
illustration Of the purity Of party principles
that they conform 90 the ma1iuIs Of The COnstitu
ton and the Declaration Of Independence.
Bot disunion v threatened, disunion is feared
have not tine-I have no inclinatiOn--tO follow
this further. Sir, war for a share Of the spoil
would be, no, an honor, bot shame 10 the South
1t would pour upon her the discredit Of avarce an,
the disgrace IL defeat from both Of which her zoo,