The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-08-01
WHOLE NO. 1877.
Mr.. Wentworth called for the regular order Of

I
amendments to the California bill, under an or
| der Of the House
The Chairman said that there WAS an order
| that the debate should cease and further that
the California subject could be laid aside by a
vote of the Committee.
Mr.. King remarked that he would not appeal
from the decision of the Chair, but asked for tell
ers; which were ordered
The question being taken, the Committee-ayes
SO, noes 6O-laid aside the California message and
the propositions connected Herewith, and took up
the West Point Academy bill
MIR Bayly remarked that, if there was no
amendment offered, he would move that the bill
- II = - 90 - = ~. House
/ Mr.. W sntwOrJn moved 10 strike out the first
section. As he understood that the whole state
OF the Union was now under discussion, he would
offer to the Committee few remarks on the ex-
traordinary vote taken this morning. He had
by no act Of his delayed the admission of Cali
fornia IL was known that there is an open and
manly party opposed TO the admission Of Califor-
mia, and on all occasions they have shown their
hands. There was an apparent majority of two
| thirds for the admission Of California. He looked
| on the vote Of this morning deciding the fate
Of California. This was but the beginning Of the
matter. He had no doubt that, after the West
Point shall have been disposed Of the Chairman
Of the Committee Of Ways and Means would
eussion would occupy four weeks, or more and
when the bills are passed, he had no doubt Con
gress would adjourn. This had been the former
history. He made these remarks, that the coun-
try may know that by its own friends California
is defeated, in his humble opinion. Whether
members so intended or not, he could not say IL
they, however, intend to admit California during
this session, they must turn aside from the Appro-
priation bills and take up that for the admission
Of California
Mr.. Johnson Of Arkansas asksd, whether it was
the Fedoh1lGeuuatIoG OI .ae a fee-,vrfers 70 Sup
the Appropriation bills.
Mr. Wentworth. ! was coming to that point
Mr. jels1soa We CO ;ho South havs Sss,,
charged win it; and make the inquiry to learn
the { ct.
MIR. Wentworth replied, that he was not in the
secrets of the Free-Soilers Laughter II 10
be Wilmot PrOviso man is to be Free-Soiler.
then he could speak. His party was the Demo-
cratic party.
long to it.
Mr. Wentworth said do will never vote
to adjourn Congress until the Appropriation bills
are passed, and | do not believe that any one on
the Democratic side, who advocates the Wilmot
Proviso, has an apprehension that they will not
be passed do not think that there is any party
in the House who means TO adjourn Congress
without passing the bills; but | think it most
likely that Congress will adjourn without admit
ting California.
Mr.. McCernand said he was surprised at the
course which the member from the Chicago dis
trict had taken this morning In regard to the Ap-
preparation bills and the admission of California
II he mistook not the zeal of the gentleman for
California is Of recent date. IL originated with
this session Of Congress Ii he mistook not the
gentleman was decidedly and violently opposed
TO the admission of California, Inst session, as a
State. Not only was he opposed to the admission
of California, but 1t was within the knowledge of
all that this was the general position of all the
Aboltionists and Free-Soilers of the House
And why were they opposed to the admission of
California Because It would have defeated or
put an end to the agitation Of the slavery ques-
ton, and would have taken from them the fuel
with which they fed the fame of public excite
ment; because they wished the Territories to
stand open, that they might agitate the Wilmot
they wish to make this a nnl;tioa, l.,,z- ,u.
this ew-born zeal2 1t is because those in this
House and elsewhere, in favor Of the admission
of California as an independent measure wish
to keep the question open for agitation.
There is probably another reason for this new
born zeal Ii may be that the Senate bill will
be passed, not only admitting California, but pro-
viding Governments for the Territories Il is
not 80 much that these gentlemen are In favor of
the admission of California, but because they
wish to keep the question open for sectional agi-
tation and political effect This was his under
standing Of the subject. IL is supposed the Sen
ate bill making joint provision for the Terrific
ries, is stronger in this House than any other;
hence their desire to take precipitate action, and
commit the House in advance against the meas
ure in the event Of it's coming here This Ia
matter of policy with certain gentlemen.
w;u haI IN la
that the friends Of California had resolved to re-
sist all other measures, at ali hazards IL was ss
tonisbing to him where those rumors were picked
up--charges so unfounded. The friends of Cal
ifornis did desire speedy action They began to
apprehend that the California bill would be lost,
and they wished to give 1t precedence.
He believed that the true friends Of California
desired this now, because the history of Congress
shows that when the appropriation bills are passed
he day Of adjournment has arrived And some
men, who want to put off the admission Of Cali
orna, will vote for the adjournment and II Is
o insure action on the measure that California
hould be postponed no longer From the news
,apers, he had supposed that there was not a
Northern man who was not in favor of the sdmis-
ion Of California. Now, II seems, we have the
Gentleman from Illinois, Mr. McClernand,1 who
5 for hanging to the bill the boundary question,
Territorial Governments, &c, making California
AIRY huultlonhl DuTucpt, lie DeUeveu mat DIG
lity required that California should be admitted
" herself; he believed that IL was demanded by
he voice Of the people Of the country. After
having acquired and annexed Texas with rush,
free State, with larger population than Texas,
A rkansas, or Louisiana, Is to be kept out Of the
MON, for the only reason that she has prohibited
'avery. To complain Of this is what the gentle
nan from Illinois termed miserable excite
nent ~
The excitement could have been avoided or
'cttled without disturbance, without leaving any
4 Representatives had stood mp to public opin-
on. Talk about freedom being asectionalip
Slavery was sectional. And against this he
struggled for the provision Of the ordinance
which excludes slavery. He believed that the
interests of the South control the Republic, and
WELD It's destinies II has been represented that
these interests involve sixteen hundred millions
of dollars. He was opposed TO the moneyed In
terest, as senseless heartless, and unfeslng only
intent on Its own feelings and advantages. As
with bank stock, 30 with manufacturing on the
stock Of the South. II was heartless capital, re-
gardless Of the rights Of humanity. The South
demand that the free aborers shall be driven from
the Territories. They wish to monpololize the
soil to increase their property, and give strength
to their power and those who oppose this, and
advocate the rights of humanity and free labor,
are, ia the opinion Of the gentleman from Illinois,
sectional fanatics
II man is not in favor Of slavery, he IL de-
nounced as an enemy to republican principles
Democracy does not consist in wearing the collar
OF slavery, and no man 10 Democrat who 10 In
favor Of the institution Of slavery and Its propa-
CATION II may be that the gentleman keeps him
self in Office by being In the power Of the South.
In his Mr.. WIS district, the Abelitionists never
polled over two hundred votes. II Is a part Of
the faith OF his constituents, that slavery ought
not to be extended over soil which 10 free. They