Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-05-25
DEBATE, in THE SENATE.
CALIFORNIA, TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENTS. s
IN SENATE, wrpsrsDAr, MA1 l6,ils5o.

CALIFORNIA, TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENTS, DC.
In SENATE, WEDNESDAY, MAY lb, 1890.
The Senate having under consideration the order OF the
day to wit the bill to admit California as state mo the
Unon to establish Territorial Governments for Utah and
New Mexico and making proposals Texas Tor the estab
shment Of her western and northern ooundaes-
Mr. FoOTE 1t is with feelings Of profound regret that
have witnessed the progress Of debate SO te as seems
10 me- marked with that spirit of reciprocal moderaon and
forbearance 50 important pacific and satisfactory settle
ment Of existing differences between the Northern and South
ern sections Of the Coniederacy period ia our
Legislative hsoryhere have been occasonswhen thought
sasy to perceive disposition. extending through most o
the States Of the Norh and strongly manesed npon
this floor also assa the rights Of the South with oppressive
and legislation, and to haass the sensbites Of
Southern men with gross discoucsy and insult On such
occasions have been, like others, provoked to the employ
Of reaatory language, and to the OF sen
mens which il is painful to be compelled to bear IN
remembrance had hoped that season had last arrived
when would be able to consult together calmly ana 70 inter-
change views freely without resoing all 70 he language
of elimination and censue and trust that what we have
lust witnessed will to be nothing more than the
ervescence Of the moment to be presently succeeded by
feelings proptous profitable discussion ne spec
men Of heated defamation with which the honorable Sena
tor from Florida Mr. YULxE) has unseasonaby sup
Mr.. YULEE If the honorable Senator will permit me,
will say that had the slightest desire to eer repreach
On the contrary have great respect for the motives which
influence the committee in their labos am sure 1t would
be very far from purpose and very far from any feelings
which animate me, express strongly as might be- and as
plainly might be, my own opinions IN reference 70 THIS
matter
Mr. FOOTE. l do not at all doubt the honorable Senator's
disncnation, just avowed by him. to awaken unpleasant
feelings any quarter and wish could that his language
was in perfect harmony with his intentions but must yet in
m that what he has thought proper to utter this occasion
is in my Judgment far from being Of compaisant and cosci
aory character do not doubt ne will himself discover to
be the case when he shall read faithful report of his
spoken words.
Mr. President am all surprised that the Senator from
Florida has betrayed into the Of somewhat exorb
tan language that he should have evnced that special
taby Of feeling which has marked all that has fallen from
him the of this debae He has just now voted for
laying the whole bill upon the table, upon motion which
designed give this its quietu with view
to bringing forward the California bill separate proposition
For weeks have been struggling ward off from the South
the dishonor and injustice which believed would result
from admission Of California separately apart from those
compensang advantages which believed would result
from general plan of compromise the adoption Of which
might permanently settle all those dacting questions which
have long disturbed the public quiet and placed the vital
interests Of the South in such imminent danger We had alter
passing through Of excitement such the country has
seldom witnessed succeeded the California bill had been
blended with bill for establishing Territorial Governments
simply, ,Uhout the Wot prouso. together with PROPOSE
ton establish the boundary line between Texas and New
Mexico Upon the motion to lay the joint bill upon the table,
with view to taking up the California bill by ITSELF the SEN
ato Florida voted with the adversaes Of the South and
very being the only Southern Senator who did
Who could doubt after this the honorable Senator being
by in compromising mood, who thus refused
the friends of the present the ordinary faci
ties for ameorang its provisions before the period for its
Ena adoption rejection should have arrived Who
feel the least surprise his having given speech much
declamatoy than argumentaiye, and aboundng with
phaseoogy thing but ul and gracious
be forgotten the Senator from Florida who has
necessarily and unseasonaby attempted close the door of
compromise that il he who has virtually said to North
brethren will not interchange fraternal sentiments
with you with view to the adus Of questions which
have placed the Union itself in serious danger will not par
ticipate in plan of settlement which is intended to rescue
the South itself from spoliaton and prefer discod
harmony of blood and violence to domestic
and security and the undsurbed enjoyment of those free in
stuons which noble foefathers have provided for
Mr. President shall endeavor, in what have to say, to
avoid the least approximation that example which has been
by the honorable Senator from Florida. and shall
myself zeaousy possible in that work Of pacicaton
which is in such hopeful progress The question
presented to by the amendment OF my honorable COZ
league is certainly Of some delicacy. The points
which have been drawn into discussion, in connexion
with that amendment both interesting and important
but certainly all new, either to the Senate to the
country. There but few of intelligent citizens who
have made up already definite aud satisfactory opinion
upon the great question whether the Mexican laws abohng
slavery gauy in force in those territorial posses
recently acquired from the Mexican republic and most
Of them have made up their minds also touching the proba
bty Of African slavery going into New Mexico, Utah. and
California dunprohbiedby law. Our able urists North and
South have argued the egaquesion, both orally and writing
and there to be about much diversity m opinion
gard it as has marked controversy of this character
is my good ill fortune to have adopted views of
SouEern yandiy
of the Mexican laws referred to and in relative the adapt
edness slave labor the whole of that region stretching
from what lately the western limits Of the United States
the remote Pscc know that the opinions Of the
honorable Senator from Kentucky (Mr CLAr) have been
expressed several occasions in opposition those which
entertain, both upon the question of law and fact Nor do
attach only slight importance to these opinions of the honor
able Senator from Kentucky His years. his high character
his extended Influence part to his opinions, upon all ques
ons connected with the administration of public concerns,
an imposing dignity Of which raost profoundly sensible
But sir high my respect for the intellectual faculties of
the honorable Senator from Kentucky and his public charac-
ter cannot unite with the honorable Senator from Florida
that conclusion which he Lave arrived that the
simple enunciaon of his by the Senator from Kentucky
IN the course Of debate here sufficient settle any
question concerning which he may be called upon pro-
nounce, and that the conclusions of his mind when once
soemny eecared carry with them such irresistible authority
that IS both pssumptuous and vain for otter human
being to gansay them. This is a sort Of Difference that
have never yet render to any man. living dead aud
which should be somewhat ashamed to avow, were
/ capable Of feeling il.
cannot take il for granted, the Senator from Florida
do that il adopt this measure of the
opinion Of the honorable Senator from Kentucky touching
the validity Of the Mexican laws aboshipg slavery in our
newly acquired Territories will at become universal
opinion country, and SO far operate settle
men Of the question practically against the South call
special preventive legislation the part of Congress Afer
ALL the honorable Senator from Kentucky is but single ind
vdual highly distinguished one truly and as such entitled
great consideration But he is not judicial officer for
the decision Of the question reesd to- and he
upon the bench, it would be still possible for him to err in
judgment Judges have often done heretofore; and we
should forget that Blackstone has told us that the opinion