The North-Carolina standard., 1850-02-27


ment and confidence among the several portions Of
this great people, now broken or weakened, can be
reunited and strengthened-showt me how this prac-
tical advantage can ensue from admitting California,
and as love the Union, and look to its preser.
vation with anxious jealousy, but would say with
Gen. Jackson that it must be preserved-every pre-.
vious usage every formal difficulty, every minor con-
sderation, will be sacrificed and give way under the
high demand of that duty which I owe both to the
constituents represent and the great Union of which
they form member. Sah1s popui will then be with
me suprema Ler.r ,--tr=.
owe it to myself, Mr.. President, to say that l
have cautiously avoided alludng to any thing con-
nected with the formation of this California constitu-
tion except what was necessary to explain the OBJ
jections feel and have stated to the Senate; and
am sorry my friend from South Carolina Mr.. But
ler thought it necessary, in urging, strongly, he
did, his objections to that measure, to some
fection-for think he must have been understood
Upon the President of the United States in relation
to the formation of this constitution. Entertaining
the opinions do, and having endeavored to express
them frankly and fully to the Senate, it is proper and
just to say feel satisfied that that high functionary
and noble gentleman has done nothing in regard to
this transaction but what sprang from the most patr
otto motives-that he has used no power, no infu-
ence OF this government, to ste control the opin-
ions, direct the judgement and efforts of the peo-
pie OF California, and made no suggestions even to
them as to the mode or form in which they should
establish the constitution under which they desir to
live. He has done nothing-and confess that can
not see the improperly of that-but to intimate to
the people his opinion that it would be proper, if
they desired admission into this Union, to form a
constitution and ask admission. differ from him in
opinion as to the expediency of admitting them un-
der present circumstances, but do not arrogae to
myself any superiority ofjudgment.
Mr. Butler: If the honorable senator will permit
Mr.. Badger. Certainly, sir; certainly.
MIR. Butler. l imputed nothing to the President.
merely said that thought that his course of poll
cy was rather unfortunate in its results.
Mr.. Badger. lam glad to hear this explanation
very glad indeed.
Mr.. Badger. Certainly.
MIR. Foote. The honorable senator has spoken a
great deal about precedents. He is known to be
strongly in favor of following precedents-more so,
perhaps, than any other member of the Senate. He
has stated that in his opinion the President Of the
United States did not interfere improperly in the
question of the State government of California; and
should like to have him tell if he ever met with
a precedent like this. He has made the confession
that the President did do something, and think he
will find himself much at loss TO justify the course
of the President.
Mr. Badger. Ibid not make any confession with
regard to the President. l know more Of what
the President has done than the honorable senator
from Mississippi knows. All the information have
is contained in the Presidents message and the pa
pers accompanyingit, called for and promptly commu-
nicated and am sure that he told the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth. With regard
to precedents. spoke of those which would govern
in matters of Legislation, with which am concerned
in the halls of Congress. do not undertake to Judge
for the President of the United States what might
be the proper course for him to pursue in the extrao
dinary circumstances in which the country is placed,
and which have no precedent in history. But what
meant say was that the President in what he did,
acuated by high patriotic motives, and did MOTH
ing, directly indirectly, to control influence the
of California.
desire, Mr.. President to keep this subject entire
ly clear from the topics that may embarrass the just
exercise of our judgment and understanding; and l
take this say that if the objections which
have stated did not exist can be removed, and if
other objections which had to the early admission
of these Territories into the Union, independently of
those have stated, and which had when the treaty
was ratified, which l felt then strongly, and have
continued to feel since, were removed, should not
feel myself at liberty to govern my vote for the ad-
mission of that State by any consideration to the
form of government they have adopted. fully rec
ognise that when any people, properly assembling
ton and for themselves, they the only
authority earth which has right to determine the
particular mode in which the internal affairs of the
new State shall be administered Congress may land,
indeed is bound to require that the constitution be
publican. This is the only authority of supervision,
State: that she shall introduce into system
any monarchical aristocratic elements, which are
uncongenia with our institutions, and might disturb
the harmonious operation of the government. have
stated the difficulties that have pressed upon my mind.
accord fully with the honorable senator from Mis-:
souri, Mr. Benton] that this is large subject, and
that it should be fully and properly considered, and
with the honorable senator from South Carolina
Mr.. Butler] that We should all make known what
ever objections, difficulties, opinions We have.
And assure honorable that, far as have
stated my difficulties, have stated them frankly, am
open to truth, and shall willingly receive and act upon
any information argument which may expose my
errors, if into errors have fallen.
GEN. HousToN. In sketch of Gen. Houstons
late speech in the Senate Potomac" the Balti-
more Patriot says:
''He laughed at the young men, as he termed
Messrs. Foote, Davis and Clemens, for undertaking
to teach him what was his duty to the South Why
he had fought for the South before they were born.
He had taken his life in one hand and his sword in
the other, and fought for the South when fighting