The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-24

been done by those people evidently originate'
with Themselves; and the only inquiry we can nov
make IN reference to their constitution is, whethe
| II is republican in its character.
l believe, MIR. Chairman, that il is republican in
| it's character. And am now ready and willing Il
vote for the admission of California into the Unior
| as of the States of this Confederacy, with hei
constitution as her people have formed il, and with
| the limits and boundaries therein designated.
| MIR. Chairman, the frank and manly avowal o
the President, that, .'in advising early applica
| ton by the people OF California and New Mexico
for admission as States, he was actuated principally
| by an earnest desire to afford to the wisdom and
patriotism Of Congress the opportunity of avoiding
| the people of the United States,' should commend
hs action in reference to these Territories the
| generous and kind consideration of all intelligent
and good men throughout the country And
must now say to this committee, that If the ques-
ton is forced upon me, shall vote TO exclude sla-
very from all the territories acquired from Mex
leo; but concur in the views ably presented
this morning this subject, by the disting guished
and honorable gentleman from New York, (Mr
JOHN A. kING,) in speech which did him honor
and in support of the wise and patriotic policy re-
| commended by the President of the United States.
| have been ready for months to admit California
and to give in the House to the delegate from
New Mexico who (as was told to- day by that gen
tleman himselD represents about ninety thousand
inhabitants, principally native Mexcans and Anne
ricans, and comprising some five six thousand
Indians. Sir, whilst we have properly admitted
delegates upon this floor from Oregon and Mime.
sofa, whose populations small compared with
that OF New Mexico, we have delayed action in re-
laNon to the delegate duly accredited to by New
Mexico, until he deems it his duty to return to his
constituents and report to them his entire failure
receive from this Congress the usual courtesy
tended to territorial delegates!
In connexion with this subject, it seems to me
that II Is well for US TO recur TO what said by
the President of the United States in his annual
message, dated llth December, ls49. In that
M arp MAJ 9th .Ar hl,
mendations, the President said
"No civil government having been provided by
Congress Tor California; the people OF that Terri
tory mpelled by the necessities of their political
condition, recently met in convention, for the pur-
pose of forming constitution and State govern
| ment, which the latest advices give me reason to
| suppose has been accomplished; and il is believed
they Will shortly apply for the admission of Cali
fornia into the Union a sovereign State. Should
such be the case, and should their constitution be
conformable TO the acquisitions of the Constitution
of the United States, recommend their applca
cation to the favorable consideration of Congress.
'The people of New Mexico will also il is be-
lleved, at no very distant period, present them
selves for admission into the Union. Preparatory
to the admission of California and New Mexico, the
people of each will have instituted for themselves
republican form of government, laying its foun-
dations in such principles, and organizing its pow
ers in such form, as TO them shall seem most likely
to effect their safety and happiness
''By awaiting their action, all causes of uneasi-
ness may be avoided, and confidence and kind feel
ing preserved. With a view of maintaining the
harmony and tranquility so dear to all, we should
abstain from the introduction of those exciting
TOPICS of sectional character which have hither-
to produced painful apprehensions in the public
mind; and repeat the solemn warning of the first
and most illustrious of my predecessors, against
furnishing amy ground for characterzing parties
by geographical determinations F"
And now, MIR. Chairman, was there not true wis
dom, far seeing sagacity, and the most compre-
hensive and enlarged patriotism, in this recon-
mendation? The most exciting topics of n sectional
character have been discussed here for nearly six
months, producing sometimes painful apprchen-
sions; and.nothing is yet done TO carry out this
! wise recommendation Of the President, and very
little progress has been made in the public bust
nes.. wash my hands of all blame in this neglect
OF the public business; for, having been constant
attendant here-riot having lost a day since the
commencement of the session. have been ready
| and willing, at all times, 10 lend my aid in any
practicable mode TO carry out the Judicious recon-
mendatons OF the President, and by prompt action
10 promote the public interest.
Mr.. Chairman, now leave this subject and avail
myself Of this opportunity 10 refer 10 some other
subjects, 10 which may with propricty alludc
whilst We are in Committee of the Whole the
state of the Union.
Amongst other things, wish TO refer 20 the diff
culties encountered by the Wing party, by the
friends OF the present administration, in the organ
lzaton OF this House. j disown any share in those
delays and difficulties, brought about, believe,
by the unwisc action Of soSnc members this floor
sent here by Whig constituents, and with whose
operation We mi ght nave CleCtcda w hig
and have secured Whig organization. But we
were met with indirect opposition to the honorable
and highly distinguished gentleman from Massa-
chusctts, (Mr. WINTHRoP,) our candidate for the
Spcakership; and thus the power OF this House was
arraigned against a Whig President, contrary, in
my opinion and judgment, to the will and feelings
/ of the great body Of the American people. Let
those who assumed this great responsibility, and
whose course has thus far delayed the public bus-
ness, bear the blame that may Justly fail upon Con
gress for any evils that may beiall the country by
this untoward result. IL Is undoubtedly true, that
If those who were sent here by Whig constituents
had, with generosity, moderation, and wisdom, CO.
operated in our organization, might this
have carried oct many of the recommendation Of
the President, or, at least, might have considered
and acted upon them.
/ am rejoiced to have an opportunity Of advert
ing 10 the statcsmanlike recommendations con
tanned in the Presidents annual message relative
! 10 agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and va
rOus other subjects and especially 10 his recon-
mendation i'm relation 20 the existing tariff
He there avows that great Whig principle, 40
much canvassed in our elections, and 30 essential
to the prosperity of our country, that IL IL the
right and duty Of Congress 10 encourage domestic
industry, which s the great source Of national, as
we'll as Of individual wealth and prosperity" And
he strongly recommends that a system Of specif fc
dufi,s be adopted, as bcst calculated 10 insure a
due encouragement and protection 10 A1erioan in
disfry and labor. Surely, sir, this recommenda-
ton Of the President, made at the commencement
Of our scsson, should long since have commanded
cussions IN relation TO negro slavery, this and other
wise recommendations Of the President have been
left TO slumber, forgotten in the reccssc- Of the
committee rooms From this gross neglect Of the
public business | clear mysclf Those who have
the power in this aud the other branch Of Congress
have taken and they must bear, the responsibility
Of this almost criminal neglect
Sir, have been ready for months 10 take up the
important subjects, which should be acted upon,
and dispose Of them in the way best calculated to
promote the prosperity and interests of the whole
country. As this debate is about TO close, trust
that we shall Immediately proceed TO something
practical, especially revision Of the tariff, and 20
psss the annual appropriation bills several Of which
have never even been reported although IL lac ks ess
than month Of the expiration Of the hscsl year.
The great manufacturing interests Of the country,
especially the iron interests, in which
Der Of the people Of Ohio, Penns ylvans and other
States are interested, need the prompt and efficient
action Of Congress, 70 protect our American labor
against the oyergrown capitalists and pauper labor
OF Europe.
| know, Mr.. Chairman, that many Of the most
valuable recommendations in the annual message
Of the President will be pretermtted by Congress
during the present session, under the allegation
that, until the slavery questions disposed Of no
other subject can command the attention of the