The southern press., 1850-09-02

Mexico. In fact, may say they have geperally
been opposed to all acquisitions Of territory
They were hostileio the acquisition of Louisiana
Florida and Texas, as well as New Mexico and
California Whether this opposition arose from
a desire to keep their population at home, with
a view of employing it In manufactures aud com
merce, or from hostility to the extension Of the
bounds of the Republic, need not stop to in
qure but they did resist, most strenuously, the
proposition to acquire the Mexican territory.
On the other hand, the Democracy at the North,
who went for the acquisition to sustain them
selves at home against the allegation that they
were about to extend and increase the slave
power, brought up the Wilmot Proyiso and at
-tirmed that they would acquire the territory and
make it free. In the South, on the other hand,
different ground was taken. Many, under the
lead OF a distinguished gentleman from South
Carolina, the late Mr.. Calhoun, contended that
slavery should, under the Constitution, go into
all OF the territory that might he acquired (;
while others insisted, at least that it should be
divided between the two sections, by some equta-
BILE line, as that Of 36 deg. 80 min. Both see
tions of the country, therefore, concurred ia the
acquisition OF the territory, and our present diff
iculties are the result Now, sir, what | would
particularly call the attention of Northern gem
tlemen to, is this: II ii were proposed to annex
Canada, we of the South, knowing that it must
necessarily remain free territory, would either
object to its annexation, or ii We assented, must
have first made our minds up to admit it rs a
free State, or States. If, on the other hand,
then, line of slave States should come into ex-
iStence across the continent, and a proposition
were made to annex any part Of Mexico, Northern
gentlemen, seeing that it would necessarily be-
come slave territory, would either resist the an
ncyaton or assent to it with full understand
ing that it would become slave territory. 1t
would thus result that since two thirds oil the
votes OF the Senators are necessary to the rati-
fcation of'a treaty, no foreign territory could be
admitted without the consent of both sections
OF the Confederacy. Such condition OF things
would either prevent the acquisition OF foreign
territory entirely, or insure its coming in upon
such terms MS to relieve us from such struggles
as the present Such state of things, too, by
making it manifest that the Sonth had ample
power to protect itself, would tend to discourage
aggressive movements on the part of the Aboli-
tionists OF the North, and would condnce, in an
eminent degree, to the permanent quiet OF the
1t may be objected, however, that curtailing
the boundaries of California would exclude her
present members elect from being admitted to
seats on this floor. cannot see that any such
effect would result from my amendment. All
that has hitherto been done in California, because
without the authority. Of Constitution and law
is invalid, and in fact mere nullty. It's con-
tended, however that an act OF admission OF the
State may have retrospective operation, SO rs
to give force and validity to the previous pro-
ceedings there If this be so--if we have pow
er to assent to what they have proposed as a
whole, | confess | cannot see why we may not
do it with qualification or limitation. Congress
has complete Jurisdictions over the whole of
this territory and may give to the new State of
California either the territory which she claims
or less amount And il, on the other hand,
California be regarded as State already existing
then she might surrender portion of her terri,
tory and population without affecting her SOW
ereignty, or changing her identity. The State
of Maine did the same thing but few years since;
in fact, the very bill now under consideration pro-
poses that Texas should do the same thing.
Will anybody pretend that either of these States
could, by such an act, be SO affected rs to revo
utionize their political character, or thus render
n reelection of their Representatives necessary!
III our act of admission can give vilidity to what
has formerly been done in that State-a point
on which give no opinion-then do not see
why it may not qualificdly as wellas absolutely.
Should the State Of California be admitted with
any boundaries whatever, when her Representa-
tives asked admission on this floor, it would be
necessary for them to show that they We're cti-
zens of the State which they claim to represent.
In point of Fact understand thatall those elect
ed are residents OF the territory north OF the line
which propose, and therefore no question of
this sort could arise.
have thus, Mr.. Speaker, detained the House
longer than intended when rose, my purpose
being to explain the effect of my amendment
rather than to make an argument in its support
G Mr.. Cl.lNGMAN. | am requested by the
gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Meade, to give
way for a modification to my amendment. j
will hear it read, so as to see whether have any
objection to it, 0
Mr.. MEADE. ask the gentlemln, Mr.
Speaker, to accept modification of>his amend
ment, ocome in rs separate clause of the bill.
offer it, sir for the purpose OF carrying out the
principle of nan-interyentiQn.
Mr.. ROOT rose to a question OF order.
Mr.. CIlNGMAN, with some remark not dis
tinctly heard, resumed his seat
Mr. BROWN, of Mississippi, obtained the
floor.
Mr.. FEATHERsToN appealed to his col
league to yield the floor to enable him to move to
amend the instructions.
The SPEAKER said, if the gentleman from
Mississippi gave way to his colleague, the gentle
man could move his amendment by general con-
sent. ,a.
Mr.. FOWLER objected
Mr.. BROWN resumed the floor He said he
designed to make few remarks only in reply to
the gentleman from illinois, Mr.. McCLERNANp,l
and the gentleman from New York, Mr. BRooKs,
who had just taken his seat. Both these gentle
men had taken position which had been assumed
since the beginning Of the session by many gentle
men from the Northern States, and had put forth
views which they seemed to regard as likely to
obtain the favor OF the South. lP these gentle
men (said Mr. b. were right in supposing that
we of the South are mere shadows, occupied only
in the pursuit of shadows, then they may succeed
in the object at which they aim, Bltif we are
real, substantial men, things Of life and not shad-
ows, then they will find themselves mistaken in
their views. What was it the South had deman-
ded' She had assed to be permitted to go into
these newly acquired Territories, and to carry her
property with her, as the North does; and he de-
sired to tell his friends from Illinois and from New
at oh ha e6aU