The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-27


| WILL BE PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY.
enemies TO the South. And such has been the effect
of those different sectional views and feelings that,
to render candidate acceptable both sections,
jealous and unscrupulous partisans, like pirates,
have had TO him with two sets of papers, fraud
ulent creeds and flags, prepared 10 use one
other to suit the latitude.
To secure the election, however, of the gallant
and patriotic individual now at the head Of the Gov
ernment, am not aware that such practices were
deemed necessary. The people believed him hon
est intelligent, brave and patriotic, and as such
satisfied to elect him; and they have not and
will not be deceived in him.
desire, sir, to say word or two more with a.
view further to show the palpabe Inconsistency OF
portion, at all events. Of the North, in regard TO
slavery. Iii is odous in their eyes, and the ex-
istence and continuance of IL are regarded as
moral wrong, as a sin, why encourage Il and grow
rich upon il? Why not throw overheard, as was
the tea, the contaminated articles, the products OF
slave labor, Why, sir, the people Of the North, in
receiving and using the cotton, and sugar, and
rice, and tobacco knowng they do that they are
and accessories to the alleged Injustice and sim
the receiver purchaser OF stolen goods is OF the
theft. The widest fanatic is daily participant OF
the necessaries and comforts and luxuries Of ife
produced by slave labor and he Is not restrained
from indulgence by any conscientious scruples.
Again; the northern creditor, to secure his debt
upon southern slave holder without scruple takes
a mortgage upon his slaves, and thereby becomes
save-owner. He never, under such circumstances,
emancipates, but sells. And no sale, Iapprehend,
has ever been arrested by the conscience of nerth
creditor. OF this certainly do not complain;
and have only made these alusions to show the
intimate connexon between the two sections ON the
score Of interest and that there should be no differ
ence on the score of feeling.
look upon the present Controversy as unnatural
and unholy; threatening and jeopardizing, as IT
evidently does the safety and stability OF this great
Government. believe il TO be in the power OF the
present Congress to terminate it without any sacri-
ice, by any party, Of principle, interest, honor. or
feeling. And for the purpose Of presenting my
views as to the mode, ] desire to say something
upon the important and more immediate question
before the committee, the message of the President
| transmitting the constitution Of California.
The President recommended the admission into
the Union of California with the constitution sub
mitted; and, as to the residue of the territory
quired from Mexico, he recommends the establish
ment Of no territorial governments, or non action
The latter recommendation 10 based upon the sup
position that such governments cannot be estab-
lished without continued and great excitement
upon the subject of slavery.
There is certainly very plausible ground for this
ments, made at each session of the last Congress-
was unavailing, in consequence of this exciting
question. The question is still regarded OF para
mount importance, and its adjustment beset with
serious, but trust not insurmountabe, difficulties.
The present position of California, praying admis
sion State will certainly or ought, in my opin-
ion TO aid in the settlement Of the entire controver
sy far these Territories concerned. Itought
obe settled. The condition of the peoplcin these Ter
rtories, the dignity of the nation, and above all the
harmony and safety of the Union require that ii
should be settled STILL if this cannot be Effected if
territorial governments cannot be organized the
question adjusted in some other way, without con-
tinued and dangerous excitement, the recommend
alton of the President of n0nactiOn will be, the
lesser evil, the safest and wises policy The rights
of all the people, far relates TO the occupation
of the country will be thereby unaffected, and con-
tinue as they now exist.
California has formed her constitution, and prays
admission into the Union, under very peculiar and
extraordinary circumstances; no State has ever
been admitted under precisely similar circum
stances. II is true that several Territories Michi
| gan, Iowa, Florida, and others-formed constitu-
tons, without any act Of Congress authorizing the
proceeding, and under such circumstances have
| been admitted; but they had organized territorial
| governments. Their admission, however, was ir-
regular; and, TO some of them, grossly Texas
was an independent sovereignty, and owed no al
| leginnce to this any other Government. Cali
| fornia had no organized territorial government,
| nor was she independent sovereignty. Still,
| am by means prepared to say she has been in
| the wrong in organizing State government, and
1 seeking admission into the Union, whether we ad-
NIT her not.
When this Government, in which was vested the
sovereignty over the country by the cession from
Mexico, failed to exercise it, the people Of Califor
mia had alternative but anarchy, 20 form
| government for themselves. Selfdefence and pre-
servaton justified her in pursuing the latter course
How long was she TO continue In her abandoned
condition. Two sessions of Congress had passed.
and there was no provision for her government and
projections; and there little probability that the
efforts OF the present Congress would be more sue
cessful Her condition was peculiar. She consti-
tuted, and still constitutes, point of greater at
traction than any other in all the earth. There
n rush TO her mountains Of gold-an influx of
population without parallel in the history of man.
Under such circumstances, she has formed a con-
stitution and become a State de facfo, and now
asks, not in contumscy, not in derogation Of our
authority but in express recognition of IL, TO be
made State de jtps, and admitted into this great
family Of States. Her constitution was the work,
and bears the impress Of American citizens, and
seems 10 have been adopted with singular unanimi-
| ty. There is nothing 10 justify even a suspicion
that the character of IL in reference 10 slavery
| the result OF any extraneous influence. IL sufi-
ciently appears That IL is emphsticslly the const-
tuition Of American citizens in California, at the
time Of its adoption. IL Is an objection, however,
entitled 10 consideration, that the population, al
though at this time sufficiently large, was, 10 avery
considerable extent, unstable and unscttled--com-
posed Of individuals not there with view 10 per-
mancnt residence. IL IL also objected that the
boundaries too extensive.
| But, air, in the eyes Of all northern gentlemen
these objections fade away, and oppose obstacle
| 10 her immediate admission. They are impatient
| for her adoption. They anxious TO take her
and g,assi,ons asked. Her clause excluding sla-
| very covers, like mantle, all faults and irrcgu-
arities. II that clause were expunged or out, what
a marvellous change would be produced in their
views and feelings.
Well, sir, / have made up my mind, notwith-
standing all the objections, and that t viii be
tablishing new procedent-to unite with them
and admit California, and even with her designated
boundary. provided they will be just and patriotic,
and settle the whole controversy as TO the residue
| Of these Territories.
am in favor Of a measure providing for the ad-
| mission Of California and the organization Of ter
ritorial governments for the residue Of California
| and New Mexico without the Wilmot proviso,
leaving the question Of slavery 10 be settled by the
proper constitutional tribunal the Judiciary, in the
FIRST instance, should the question arise, and by the
| people in the second, whose authority cannot be
questioned when they come TO form State constitu
| tons.
And how is Il possible that northern gentlemen.
Wings or Democrats, resist the settlement, In
this mode, Of this exciting and distractng con
troversy! Why leave il open for continued strife
and agitation. which have already Jared the very
foundations of political edi6ce' Such mca-
sure will leave the rights Of all parties precisely
where they arc at present, would be II the coun
try s left uncared for by this Government 70 shin
for itself as best il can II Is the South will have
nost ground Of objection. As TO the North, State
IL admitted in all respects agTceaby TO her wishes
In point Of territorial extent equal or nearly 81 70
| three States Of the fret class, with scacoast