The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-15
SPEECH OF
Mr.. w. F. CoLCoCK, of South Carolina,
On The California Question, dslipered IN the
House of REPRESENTATIVES, June 3, 1850.

On The California Question, delivered IA the
House of Representatives., June 3, 1850.
The House being in Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union, on the Presidents
Message transmitting the Constitution of
California.
Mr. O'CLOCK said:
Although | am aware, Mr.. CHAIRMAN, that
the ear of the Committee has become greatly
fatigued by the discussion of the questions
which have been SO long pending, yet cannot
forget that our work still lies before us, not
only unaccomplished, but fear greatly embar-
rassed by increased and increasing difficulties.
After five months spent in a debate which has
extended over nearly every field of inquiry, and
which has presented the subject in every aspect
in which sound reasoning or ingenuity, passion
or prejudice could place it. are we now any
nearer to an agreement than we were ut the
commencement of the discussion! From all
the lights before me, am compelled tesay,we
are not Are we then to conclude that our diff
ferences are Observation-Disclosures our scheme
of government has failed, and that our Consti-
tuition cannot perpetuate that "mOre perfect
union" which it was formed to establish /!
These, sir, are grave and solemn questions,
which, while they afford food for serious reflec-
ton to all, it would be presumptuous in any
one hastily to answer affirmatively. But feel
il due to those whom represent to say, that
see but little prospect of settling these distract
ING questions on any basis which, while it gives
us peace for the present, will at the same time
afford us permanent security for the future.
To what quarter, sir, are we to turn for hope |!
Where, ask, are we to look with any reasona-
bic expectation that this great controversy,
which has so divided the country, will be set
tn hn2 or ,lv do find
parties divided on this question, but sections
also Democrats are divided, Wings are dvi-
ded, the North is divided, and / lament to say,
the South is divided. In this condition, them
Of our public affairs, it becomes every one who
is honored with the high trust of representa-
tive of the people, honestly to inquire what is
demanded of him by his duty to his constitu-
ents, and to the Constitution of his country,
and having faithfully answered this question to
himself then to discharge that duty unmoved
by any outward pressure, and undeceived by
any false coloring of popular opinion For one
confess that feel most sensibly the weight Of
the responsibility that rests upon me-a respon-
sibilitv such rs have never felt since | have
been in public life, and never expect to feel
again while have a voice in the councils of my
country for who can expect to be an actor n
second time in such eventful scenes as arc now
fact that we have reached point in our progress
which seems to demand "a fresh understanding
of the bargain" Our opinions are becoming so
variant, our interests so antagonistc, our feel
ings so hostile, our views Of the powers Of our
Government so utterly opposed to each other
in short, all our differences are so wide and arc
becoming so much wider every dav, that most
painful conviction is taking hold of the public
mind everywhere that our Union itself is in
danger.
The question, Mr.. Chairman, most appropr-
atelv before us at this time, is the admission OF
California. The House having ordered that the
debate in Committee on this subject should be
closed on Tuesday next, desire to express my
views on this most important measure, as may
not have an opportunity of doing so hereafter.
The first thing that must strike the mind Of
every candid observer on this subject is the OBJ
security which rests upon the origin Of those
measures which have resulted in the present
state of things in California ..,... ....s ...
At the commencement of the session itseemed
to be distinctly announced, that from the evidence
which would be laid before us, it would be shown
that the initiative in these proceedings had been
taken by the late administration. TO me
sir, it would have been matter OF perfect
indifference how the proof on this point should
have turned out, for would feel as free to COLI
denim the policy of the past, as Of the present
administration in relation to this subject, if that
policy did not meet my deliberate approval. On
this question know no party allegiance. care
not whether these measures originated with
Democratic or Wing adminstration-with Mr.
Polk or Gen. Taylor 80
In abiding, Mr.. Chairman, to the present dis
tinguished head of the Government, desire to
be understood Us being influenced by no unkind
feeling towards him. 1 honor him for the SER
vices which he has rendered his country, and in
speaking of his pubic conduct, / shall never de-
part from the strict rules Of parliamentary cour-
tesy We have laws, sir, for the conduct Of pub
lie war we have laws for the conduct of private
war; | sincerely wish we had laws for the con-
duct Of political war, for if we had, we should
be spared much of the horrors of that species Of
hostihties which we see daily exhibited around
u.s. But the conduct of the Chief Magistrate is
before the country, and mistake the man, fhe
would shun any scrutiny into II, as should mis-
take my own duty, if withheld that scrutiny
when demanded by the public interest. a.... .
| am aware that much has been said in the
progress of this debate in relation to the ambi-
dextrous course pursued by the present EXecu-
live in the last Presidential election. But be-
Iieve he only yielded to what | am sorry to say
has now almost become q political necessity. /
idencv---I mean that royalty which turns from
and repels all subterfuge and disguise--but that
the way which leads to that proud eminence
passes through narrow defiles marked out only
by the dubious twilight of some Dephic creed.
tell you, sir, we viii never see hereafter an
pirant for the highest Office in the gift of the
people, who will come boldly forward and an
nounce his political opinions without quafca-
ton or disguise, and | regard this as one of the
most melancholy indications of the downward
tendency of our government, and the declining
tone of public sentiment But let me return from
this depression. Upon careful examination of
all the evidence that has been submitted to us,
| am compelled to say, that | can see nothing in
the instructions given TO the agents OF the late
administration, or in the conduct of those agents
themselves, which would Justify the charge that
the formation of State Constitution, either
with a view to the settlement of the slavery
ouastion or as 81 concession tO what may have