Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-13

erday and do hope that the ssame motion will be made
each class OF petitions which here annoy on
he suhsct one motion Of the kind upon each class
And is my opinion tina. the motion made yesterday in the
Senate in which the Senator spoke for himself aud upon the
spot will have more influence upon the public mind than all
the arrangements that be made by committees and that
will be precisely the effect if this amendment is adopted
Sir when the thing is carried into committee and considered
there, especially when the word compromise is used in
aonnexion with it. there belief among the people that
there was giving and taking; that the people to be
brought together by mutual concessions by giving inch
here and taking inch there and that last compromise
is made up. But the idea is that is result made up by
some sort Of patchwork, each yielding something to the
other How different, then, when every Senator stands in
his place and speaks when his is called, and
speaks from his heart and bares his heart the view of the
country, and lets the country what be feeshat he
leading nobody and led by nobody that he is speaking the
sentiments Of alike unawed by the owns and uninAu.
enced by the smiles of any.
Now, it is my design TO have vote Of the Senate upon
each OF the four great subjects which agae the country
have paid some attention them all and the total
abolition OF slavery to be got at the end of series Of mea
States and the abolition of slavery in the fors the arsena
and the dock yards Sir upon this latter subject well as
upon the other thought has been entertained by
human being that know Of that Congress designs egis
ale so far from aboshipg slavery within the grounds
pied by the United States for erecons for military and naval
purposes far know Congress has legislated
upon these subjects at all They oil in the cate
CORY with the abolition of slavery in the District Of Columbia
given for the Of government and for other specified
purposes But do not recoect that Congress has
exercised jurisdsion in single case
And does not that stand argument that Congress has
desreXo NEEDLE with the States at all There per
haps three hundred concessions by the States
immense number Of them, and do recolect that Con-
gess has nlerfered with them in the slightest degree.
Them Mr. President with respect to the abolition Of sla
very in this District of those that believe it is
cred by the constitutional power Of Congress. Of
those who believe from the foundation OF The Government to
the present days that ought to be touched while slavery
exists in the States from which the District coded And
surely Congress has shown disposition to touch it. de-
clare the Senator from Alabama that have desire to
embarass and earthly objection that be made
this amendment My object is that shall all vote ogeth-
and believe we shall vote unanimously on this questions
because it leaves every gentleman free to vote he pease
believe the of the Senate will be unanimous upon the
great points the abolition of slavery in the States the
ports dock yards and arsenas, and nearly unanimous with
regard to the power to abolish it in District Of Columbia
believe that and believe, must repeat again and again.
that will have better effect to quiet the country and restore
harmony than oil the compacs prepared by any committee
Let all vote together, and we shall silence agitation.
believe that is the way to quiet agitation in the country.
Now, Mr.. President, the Senator from Kentucky thinks it
nothing send these questions committee, because the
committee will report against them. do not agree TO that
Is it nothing to give jurisdiction Is nothing TO set the
ample of giving the right think upon the subject when
myself will think upon ii, and when this body wi
think upon il It will be creating real for alarm
among the people in the States, when they find any
mttee vested with jurisdiction the subject Of slavery No
committee care not on what side Of the ine should have
jurisdiction Of it, have idea of setting example which
be followed hereafter have desire to depart from
what has been the practice of the Government from lis oun
daton 10 the present time.
Now; if we lay this the table, shall ask the
yeas and nays upon each of these points, II is with that
view that have offered this amendment have offered this
compromise have offered it my peace-maker my
healer my restoer, my balm of Gead; it is to leave the
hearts Of the Senator'S and let the people look inside and
Utha is and fora
tation, and that is what want to show.
Mr.. WEBSTER Iregret that the Senator from Missouri
should think it expedieL usefu to attach these propositions
Of amendment to the general quesoe Of reference. II is
quite evident have twice before said to-day that
If we make all these questions upon matter OF the
ference of these resolutions these questions may be the SUBJ
ects of debate for many days. keeping the main question Of
the admission of California in the time in Allowance
acknowledge that consider the reference of the resolutions
to committee rather collateral proceeding. but yield
ing to suggestion that good from wtha
view Of quoting the agitation which exists And the honor
able member will allow me to suggest that 1t has already
been intinated by the chairman Of the Committee Terri
tories that to- morrow morning he will call up the bill for the
admission of California.
Mr.. BENTON, Tin his seat) will vote nit.
Mr.. WEBSTER. shall vote with the Senator for TAX
ing the subject and the Senator from Mississippi has pro-
missed to do the Then why does the Senator wish
time and pursue likely TO throw embarass
ment upon this collateral measure this trial for peace and
harmony by bringing these most difficult and embarrassing
questions the whole of which we have got to meet was
sorry that my friend from Connecticut attempted refer the
matter with instructions, and what have to-day but
confirms in the opinion that California makes advance
towards admsson while discussing these questions,
which the whole subject constitutional law Eve
thing contained in the constitution in any way relating
slavery up under subject Of that kind appeal to
the judgment Of the Senator whether there any utility in
this have not the power stop Of courses but these
propositions Of the Senators from Kentucky and Tennessee
may not be considered spirit of kindness, and with
some disposition to settle the agitation of the country why
the make excitement than allay, and diff
cues than compose wish those resolutions be dis
posed of. think better that they should be, and that
leaves nothing hands, and unless begin
with the deficiency bill, which my friend from New York has
in charge, ready al to take up the bill admitting
California Then shall have something before us, to
which all sorts Of amendments cannot be presented because
be considered that not in way other
connected with the subject only WISH therefore, get rid,
can, Of these series Of propositions amend and then
let the resolutions be referred not and proceed take
the California bill Immediately.
Mr.. FOOTE. Iony rise to explain what might other
wise be msappehended in the remarks just made by the
Senator from Massachusetts,. II is perfectly true as the Sem
ator states and authorized him in conversation this
ing TO say what have before said in debate, that would
vote for the motion take up the California bill whenever
was made. AT the time the Senator will do me the
justice to say, that declared to him and others that in do
ing it was not intenon could consent to do any
thing that would in the least degree interfere with the action
of the select committee raised.
Mr. WEBSTER, Tin his seat) Certainty
Mr. FOOTE II it be practical thing in the course Of
parliamentary proceeding take up the Caloraa bill
very subject before the committee thirteen have OBJ
econ though certainly to be inconsistent
with parliamentary law, and very nexpedent and improper
course All this was IN connexion with understanding