The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-27
THE UNION.

upon the subject OF California those who stand in such
relation TO her and 10 the country have Just de.
serbed are not ne persons to give them Bat she is
said has declared for the great principle oil human free
DOM True she has not only asserted, but carried into
practical operation the first and last great principle OF
freedom. and one for which have long and ardently
OF self-govenment, and Of choosing
such domestic institutions as We're suited TO the tastes
and condition OF her own people, unnfiuenced either
BY the Wosisoes OF Congress or the interference OF Mex
leo with which domestic policy all who profess
70 believe in the capacity OF man for selfgoyernnent
should be satisfied. lApplausel And ii she had de-
cded 10 admit instead Of excluding slavery as the cons
lied her TO do, beyond her own borders would
have had cause OF complaint. Her action would have
still been that of human freedom in the most comprehen
sve OF the term Human freedom does not consist
in enslavng the minds aud controlling the actions OF
the whom the destinies OF this government have
been committed, or placing them under the control OF
another consttutonaly held in bondage, but consists
in permitting them TO lay themselves the foundation OF
their government ON such principles and 70 organize ITS
effect their safety and happiness Keeping in view this
principle, il IS my desire 10 the white race and the
true principles OF sefgovernmen preserved FIRST and TO
leave the freedom of the black TO those who have
them in CHARGE and responsible TO their God and
their country accordingly But let inquire for moment
under what process this exclusion Of domestic slavery
made article in the fundamental law OF California.
Il not under the influences OF that political cathocon
the Wimot Proviso, under the dicaton Of Mexico,
in affairs by virtue of treaty stpula-
on but under the true and not the spurious principles OF
human reedom-the freedom Of the white race, TO whom
not only the OF human liberty here but through
out the world has been committed by benefcent Provi
dence under the freedom Of self-goyernment in the
and capacity and not upon povisoes, and
strctons and tyranncal legislation OF congressional
masters or foreign governments, without representation,
voice, or vote by their own people; which believes our
brethren and neghbors, whose enterprise has carried
them to the shores Of the Pacific wise there before
they left US, and well qualified to choose for them.
selves as we are to choose Tor them This is the kind OF
human freedom which | am proud to advocate, upon
which have stood, and upon which will stand here
after Applause IN December, ls47, after II had be-.
apparent that legislation by Congress the ques
ton of slavery in the Territories would lead to unhappy,
II not alarming consequences, introduced into the Sen
ate OF the United States certain resolutions declaring bold
the true principles of our system to be selfgovernment
and that all questions OF domestic policy in the Terrific
ries ought 10 be left to the people thereof under the
principles OF the constitution, and in accordance with the
rights OF the several States. This was far as know
the first time this principle formally presented But
how this principle Of humin freedom received then
by those who now so far outstfip me in principles OF
civil liberty and who are SO anxious for its development
that they cannot wait for California be admitted The
principle was denounced by orators and presses in
terms, and those cogent and convincing argu
mercy its author II had proposed to change the
federal constitution so as TO force slavery into every State
and Territory, to have abolished the Christian religion
and placed that OF Mohammed in its sead-to have
burned every Bbe and legazed the brazen revelations
of 10 Smih-or to have applied the knout or the bow
string for the nonpayment OF debts, could not have
been more bitterly opprobrlonsly assailed. The
uons declaring the principles OF self government were
to be fraudulent device, instgaed by the
South for the purpose and with the design Of extending
slavery 10 the Territories In short they fguraiivey
1t least, called me
'sMisbeliever cut throat, dog,
And spit upon my Jewish gabardne."
They unwilling to trust the people with themselves,
est like children who can walk just enough to fall into
he fire, they should destroy themselves wlfuliy or un
willingly and declared that nothing but the application of
he Proyso by Congress- and that quite speedily would
,yer save California from the blghng OF slavery
When ancient prophet sought to show the depth Of his
grief the slain OF the daughter OF his people, he
amented that his head not waters and his eyes
fountain OF tears, that he might weep day and night in
sessantly; but the sorrows OF some for the curses of
slavery which was TO lind It's way into California ii self
government tolerated and the Proviso not APP
Piled, were evidently much greater than those OF the sym
pathetic prophets and to enable them to make adequate
exhibitions OF regret would have been necessary for
hem Ito use commercial phrase) TO have gone into
liquidation altogether [Great laughter1 But the Pro-
giso was not applied and the people were left to assert
heir rights by resortng TO first principles They
,led in convention and formed constitution, and, as
We have already seen, though upwards OF third of
Is members were from slave States. and had been
,nly, an article excluding slavery was unanimously
inserted. And when this practical commentary has
been furnished for the benefit Of those who fear the
.lse-those who have derded and reved the principle
,f self.government, proclaimng in effect the people
unworthy TO be trusted with their domestic policy
who have arrayed popular prejudice against its advo
es, and hunted them though they had been beasts
)f prey but who step in and stand volunteer
,odfathers TO the infant State, and deRounce its early
iniiorm. and consistent advocates as its enemeswe
night well imagine this age OF brass, instead of an
lge OF gold lLaughter The great principle OF human
freedom Tor which have conended has been the free
iom OF the white race leaving each political community
rec themselves to say how far they would or would not
olerate domestic slavery as existing in portion OF the
Saies amongst them and il IL is not freedom 10 permit
TO do just il peases with lis own domestic
concerns. know not what u.s. Applause There al.
ways has been and there always will be, strong
,ugnance the part OF freemen have their domestic
lars controlled by those who not chosen by them
selves II not dsloyaty 10 the British Crown which
aused the revolt and revolution IN the American colo
hes, but determination TO resist the legislation OF the
British Parliament their domestic policy and when
heir cup oil wrongs filled TO OVERLOOKING, for this
eason they severed the ties which bound them TO this
yrannical system with the sword Our whole republican
heory and ederatve system rest In the principles OF self
and he who believes that he is quail
he'd TO govern both himself and his neghbor, and
hat one community of freemen should regulate and
control the domestic affairs OF another equally free
Ind equally intelligent thousands OF miles distant
hould write treatise justifying the aggressons of
he British Parliament upon the colonies, and add an
appendix in favor OF the divine right OF kings But
have another parallel TO run between the human
~ those who find so much in advance. The consttu
OF the United States makes all the States old and
lew, sovereign equals The original States founded
the true principles Of freedoms for the only restriction
Ipon them that their form o government should be
epubcan. Slavery had been planted here by the mother
government, and each State was left to treat Il as IL
bought best. They could adopt reject, continue or
bosh, modify the institution OF slavery should