The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-10
CONGRESSIONAL.
sPEEon os nR. HE'LL,
OF TENNESSEE,

OF TENNESSEE,
On The Compromise bH, da,psred in the Seaate of hs
United States. July S, 1880
The Senate having undsr consideration the bill for the
admission OF California iaio the Union the establishment
OF territorial governments for Utah and New Mexico and
making proposals. 10 Texas for the settlement of her
northern and western boundaries
| Mr. BELL resumed and continued his speech as fol-
Mr.. President. my remarks the other day chiefly
directed 10 apoa or rather series OF points TO which
my attention was drawn by circumstances did anti
cpaie ] deeply regret that any circumstances should
have forced me into any remarks not strictly applicable
The subject before the Senate
proceed TO examine the features oil this bill TO which
have not before advered and particularly reference
the points Of difference and contrast between and the plan
recommended by the President feel this to be the more
incumbent since the ground taken the other day in
relation To- the causes which supposed 10 influence the
decisions OF Congress on this great question The es0und
openly and boldly assumed that, but for the influence
which the Executive has exercised or may exercise on
this question, Il is known that this measure would pass
and BY considerable majority Now, sir do not know
any such thing myself am ncreduous to the fact.
had attempted to show, as far my knowledge extended
thai member OF this body whether regarded his po
slon his peconceived opinions, his preudces right
left, North South, would be likely, in question Of
such great importance, TO yield his individual opinions
executive dicnton. However tha, may be, beg leave
say that. far have heard any statements made
deserving notice. either in this hall Of it, no eyi.
dence has been brought TO show that the President has
used his influence to prevent the passage OF this bill ex
cept what stated the other day. that il understood
that the President in speaking oi this measure had call
ed ii in derision an Omnibus bill !" and that perhaps
two members OF the cabinet had expressed opinions
hostile to the II is true that the honorable
ator from Mississippi MIR Foorr] said that he could
bring substantial proofs than this but till he does
so shall take for granted that further evidence
OF executive Interference exists. should not have al
uded to this point now, but that infer from the tenor
Of much that has fallen from some OF the prominent sup
pores Of this wtha the last week two. that
whatever may be its ae whether it shall be successful
be defeated, the issue is to be carried to the country Not
only individual members North and South. but the adj
minstraon also is to be held responsible particularly
should the measure fail This infer from the charge dis
tincly made, that but for executive influence it would
certainly pass
shall now proceed inquire into the merits OF this
as il stands II am to take as may, want
to take II at it's true value wish neither to be deceived
myself nor deceive others. II il succeeds, desire that
il shall be rated according 10 its real merits and is
lost il may be- desire that the country may be able
estimate truly the sort and degree OF responsibility TO
which those should be held whoever they may be- who
have contributed to defeat it propose therefore, to
fairly and truly, wherein II accords with my own
vlews and IN what respect II does not.
is proposed BY the ss.h ses,Sn @ Of the bill to % estab
cuar provisions OF this section Of the bill are offered
concession to the claims and feelings OF the South aud
as an equivalent for the immediate admission OF Calfor.
MIA free State. and this BY way OF compromise. The
extent OF the concession TO the South, apprehend, will
be found consist in the mere fobearance to employ
odious and obnoxious forms OF enactmentan act Of
grace the part OF those who hold the power the
subject This is something, confess, and would not
undenate the generosity OF those northern gentlemen
the South The principle OF non-intervenlon is not vo-
lated, and that, il is said. is great deal II is true that
il this shall succeed, il may be said that Con-
gress has not assumed the power TO nerdct slavery
these Territories, but the value and importance to the
South OF the observance OF the doctrine OF non nerven
ton. and Of the forbeaance on the par OF the North to
enact the Wilmot Proviso, wl6ch and the
thing will be best understood and appreciated as con-
cessions to southern principles and feelings. when we
What are these crcumstances Not one OF our northern
friends who support this measure would vote 70 extend
slavery any portion OF these Territories Even the
distinguished senator from Kentucky lMr: CLAY] has
declared over and over again. that he will never vote
10 carry slavery into territory now free. And the gen.
emen Of the free States justify their forbeaance 10 ap
ply the Wmot Proviso 10 their constituents on the
ground that the local laws good enough proviso for
them Those who do not take this ground assume the
position that the laws Of Mature displayed in the climate
and geographical features of the country effectively
inerdicf slavery as the Wmot Pfovso could do; and
therefore that they will not insult the feelings Of the
py u b soas in al AZ any
Well, sir, what else is there in the provisions OF this
section OF the bill which favors southern interests The
laws admitted be in force in New Mexico at the date OF
the treaty Of Guadalupe Hdago prohibited slavery The
inhabitants consider these laws TO be still in ioce II is
proposed to repeal them by this bill and the terrific
rial legislature is expressly prohibited from laying hands
upon the subject either establish nterct slavery
This latter provision, must remark by the way, is in
the very teeth OF the principles beld by the distinguished
senator from Michigan. Mr. CAssl But take no ex.
cepon 10 his support oi the measure as stands, and
would moi allude TO the Inconsistency but for the latitude
he induged in the other day IN commenting upon tue
character OF the Presidents policy How hen does the
question stand 10 the prospects or interests OF the
South in extending slavery to New. Mexicol In the
opinion OF by far the greater number OF the most eminent
urists OF the United Saies the laws OF Mexico prohibit
ing slavery the cession are still IN force and must re-
main until they expressly repealed, either by Con-
gress ne local legislature This Is the settled opinion
OF the distinguished senator from Kentucky himself
Such ID the opinion OF the scarcely less distinguished
senator from Michigan, tGen CAss and such is the
opinion OF the able and eminent satesman the senator
from Massachusetts,, mir WEBSTER three OF the lead
ing champions OF this bill do not forget another sena-
torrom the South, of high rank in his profession, lMr
BADcER,l who also supporter OF this bill Thus, SIR
slavery Il il goes into New Mexico at ALL must force It's
way there in despite OF the obstruction OF the local
laws, and OF the nierdic imposed BY this bill on the
territorial legislature Still il conended that the South
is secured the full benefit OF the doctrine held by
OF the most distinguished champion OF lis rights, who
maintain that the constitution, proprio v,gore, that the
flag OF the Union protects the citizen in the enjoyment OF
his rights OF property OF every description recognised as
such in any oi the States on every sea- and in every
territory OF the Union. And this doctrine, is said, Il
we'll founded and II il shall be declared by the Su
Weme Court, will authorize the introduction OF slavery
into New Mexico. The soundness OF the general doc
tine held upon this point, Think cannot well be ques
toned dsoved and il the question related TO ter
rtoy situated Oregon was when the United States
came into possession OF IT, property in slaves would be
entitled to the protection oil the laws and constitution OF
the United Staes but the question ismore doubtful and
formidable to the interests of the South where u s rss
ed In reference New Mexico, where there has been an
organized society and government for two centuries ana
where slavery prohibited ty the local sovereignty
and WHERE under that prohibition, slavery had ceased 10
eYist ss,t,n in this terrific