Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-15


sc dspgenuousness Of the writer is in nothing more re-
maabe than in his treatment of the views of the distinguish
ed Senator from Massachusetts, in relation 10 the little proba
by Of the extension Of slavery 10 New Mexico because the
climate of that county unavoabe to those productions
which alone render slave labor valuabea sound and
practical opinion the ruth Of which experience is every day
demonstrating.
WE'LL sir the writer Of the letter. in reviewing this
opinion, chooses talk about drawing moral conclusions
from physical premsesof denng the law of the spirit
by geographical phenomena "-of asceraining "wheher
people will obey the laws of Christ and do to others as they
would be done by, looking at the thermometer under-
taking settle by mountains and rivers and not by the Ten
Commandments, great question Of humanity together
with much ppancy the krd negectng to read
heed the third of those commandments ne nvokes ana
which says every MAN. Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neghbo II is by direct charge alone that
this prohibition in the decalogue be disobeyed That
may be done eec,ualy by nsinuaton by assertion
better that the honorable Senator from Massachusetts never
dreamed of measuring moral duties by the accidents OF
soil and climates but that he did measure the probability OF
the extension Of slavery by its profit loss which OF course
be regulated by the value of its products And this
gross misrepresentation of the opinions of colleague in the
National Legislature accompanied with professions OF
admiration of po,oers gratitude his past Services and
Of his ddence in dissenting from has uie'os Can
insincerity go further
But after ALL sir it may turn out that this very letter may
place its author among the benefacors OF the country 1t
will certainly do if the occasion to which we owe
that besutul and powerful exposition Of some Of the prnc
Piles the prevailing controversy contained in the Newbuy
port eeone of the most mastery appeals to the reason
and patriotism Of the American people that has appeared In
my ime Had the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts
M WEBsrER) other claim but that TO the respect of his
counymen that would be enough for present and future dis
tinction.
The Senate will bear witness that it is very seldom
enter upon such task this It suits neither my
my habits There things is difficult touch, and at
the time escape pollution But this appeal to the
sons of the community pre-emineny miscellaneous and
reckless in its professions and regardless of legitimate or
thor distinction rather notoriey to which few will as
pire, and which fewer still could attain.
But sir to the objections to the union Of these
measures.
is not to be disputed .hai if convenience permitted
would be better in the usual Of legislation, that each
question should be finally settled by ITSELF But that is i'm
possible and the union of subjects is therefore matter
of legislative expediency As oincongruy, about which we
have heard much certainly that does not depend upon
natural connection between the objects themselves or
appropriation for improvement at end OF the Union
ought to derive strength from object of similar kind at
another All this is mere matter Of expectancy appealing
to the discretion of the body called upon the subject
As to the English peceden founded the constitution of
Parliament and the various quesonssome of form and some
Of substance some Of etiquette and some Of
between the hereditary aud tho elective branches of the Legs
ature and incident political system, depending ira
don and not the popular will, and to be found in COM
menaries, and not in written constitution, them
all from my path, without remark inquiry. We just
much bound by their ceremonial observances by
Their forms of proceeding, and just much bound by
those Of France Spain by those of England So far
regards the experience Of other Legislative bodies am willing
it should be referred by any gentleman who desires it, and
who thinks may be useful in terrifying any position he
may take. But repudate its obligations whence it
may.
have already adverted to similar modes Of proceeding
the history of legislation But sir if this not
soft procedure in the of Government could be
found bearing upon such question this either directly
ndrectly-what then Are tied down, not by prin-
cples but by forms legislative proceedings that
mn do vvha anda basb
done and nothing else AS practical men, when grave
question arises involving the most important consequences in
stead of following the indicated by passing events
to pore the statute book and try to find analo
gous case, settling principle but touching form, and
then adapt measures not to existing circumstances, but
bygone Transactions surenderng judgment the
mere authority Of precedent For myself sir disclaim such
doctrine and, far my vote will go, shall look at
things they and judge for myself what the true interest
of the country demands To those who believe that Caor
should be admitted and that Congress has power to
tabsh Territorial Governments and that constitutional pow
should be exercised when the occasion arises for which
they provided the union these present
practical diicultyand to such appeal and among these
the Senator from Missouri who tells that California and
New Mexico equally suffering for want Of our action
As to my views respecting the constitutional power
Of Congress 10 establish Territorial Governments, have
and again explained them to the Senate and shall not
the topic find this power only in the necessity
of the case justified by Mr. Madison respect the
old confederation, and in the inevitable of
Judge Marshall when deducng the necessity of
from the right Of acquisition When yielded to- it is yielded
from the urgency Of the OCCASION and upon the RESPONSE
by his constituents of him who thus finds himself in
this situation To those who experience difficulty
the power Of Congress- appears to there must be other
than those connected with the objects themselves
which create the embarrassment And what they, and
how far do they involve the neglect of constitutional duty
AS to the establishment of kind of government in the
Territories, call in question its necessity and it
must originate either the legislation OF Congress the
voluntary of the people themselves If Congress neglect
lis duty the people depend upon themselves resorng
first principles for their Justification But this of
things which wise Government should promote by its
nacon tpus to hazard the whole frame of society. The
validity OF the system called in question: and the obligation
of the laws disputed and denied 1t would be but work of
supereogaton to point the evils Of such Of things
either with respect to domestic tranquility the legal rela
tons Of Territory thus situated with the States of the
Union And more especially is all this to be deprecated,
when we look to the circumstances existing between Texas
and New Mexico where disputed boundary and the claim
by Texas to extend her jurisdiction three ouhs of the
newly acquired population, fail lead the
serious consequences.
The last advces from that quarter sufficiently alarming
to excite our apprehension and hasten action AS
tie respective rights involved in this natter give opinion
present. But all know the violence which these bor
der contests give rise each party cnging tenacousy its
opinions, and ready in the absence of any other umpire
to the umprage of force Inacon on our part will
which urgently demands the prompt nteposon Of the
General Government The establishment Of legal order and
the adjustment Of this boundary equally indispensable,
and belong properly to the BILL All this would be the
less alarming, we could anticipate its termination within
short period. But this cannot do When New Mexico
may be in condition to demand admission State of this
Union battles human sagacity to forete There in