The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-04-11
CANTON MISSISSIPPI THURSDAY MORNING APRIL H. 1850

0 ascertain whether the inhabitants
we're sufficiently numerous to author
ze them to be formed into State.
This was done, and the number pro-
ring sufficient, permission was granted.
The act granting it fixed all the pre-
iminaries-the time and place ofhold-
ng the convention; the qualification
If the votes, establishment Of its boun-
laries, and all other measures necces-
sary to he settled previous to admis-
sion.-The act giving permission nec-
withdraws the U. S, and
leaves the inhabitants Of an incipientn
State as free to form their constitution
and government as were the orlgina.
States Of the Union after they had de-
cIared their independence. At this
stage, the inhabitants of the territory
became for the first time people, in
legal and constitutional language.-|
Prior to this they were, by the old acts
of Congress, called inhabitants and not
people. All this is perfectly consis.
tent withthe powers of Congress and
with the right Of a people to self-gov-
ernment.
Michigan was the first case in which
there was any departure from the uni
form rule of acting. Hers was very
slight departure from established usage.
The ordinance ofS7 secured to her the
right of becoming a State when she
should have 10000 inhabitants. Ow-
ing to some neglect, Congress delayed
taking thecensus. In the mean time
her population increased, until il
clearly exceeded more than twice the
number which entitled her TO admis-
sion. At this stage she formed con-
slitution and government without the
census being taken BY the U. S., and
Congress waived the omission, as there
was no doubt she had more than a
sufficient number to entitle her to ad-
mission. She was not admitted at the
first session she applied, owing to some
difficulty respecting the boundary be
tween her and Ohio.-'rhe great irreg-
ulariiy as to her admission took place
at the next session. but on point
which can have no possible cOnnec-
ton with the case Of California.
The irregularities in all other cases
that have since occurred are of a similar
nature. In all there existed territorial
governments established by Congress
with officers appointe by the U. S
In all, the territorial government tool
the lead IN calling conventions and fix
ing the preliminaries preparatory t
the formation of constitution and ad
mission into the Union They all recog
nized the sovereignty of the U. S, an'
the authority Of Congress over thu
territories, aud wherever there wa
any departure from established usag,
ii was done on the presumed consent Q
Congress, and not in defiance Of it
authority, or the sovereignty Of the 7
! S. over the territories. In this respeC
California stands alone without usag
or a single example to cover he
r case.
3 1t belongs now, Senators for you t
J. decide what part you will act in refer
q ence to this unprecedented transa'
I ton. The Executive has laid the pt
: per purporing to be the constitution
! California before you TO admit her int
the Union as State; and the questio
!. is will you or will you not admit heI
! ! 1t is a grave question, and there rest
. upon you heavy responsibility
/ Much very much, will depend upc
Y y your decision. If you admit her, yo
q endorse and give your sanction to a
! that has been done. Are yon prePal
9 ed to do so! Are you prepared
e surrender your power ofIegislatlng ft
n the terri tories-a power expressly ve
o ted in Congress by the Constitution, a
1t has heen fnlly established Can 20
d consistently with your oath to suppo
the Constitution, surrender the powe
Are you prepared to admit that the i
4 habitants ofthe Territories possess tt
i sovereignty over them, and that ar
/ number, more or less, may claim an
! extent Of Territory they please; ma
!. form a constitution and governmel
Y and erect it into State, without asl
y ing Your permissionl Are you pr
J. pared to surrender the sovereignty
% the U, S. over whatever territory ms
be hereafter acquired to tine first adve
le lures who may rush into III Are "
le prepared to surrender virtually 10 Il
n Executive Department all the powe
y which you have heretofore exercise
! over the Territorlesl Ifnot. how CT
- you, consistently with your duty al
! ! your oaths to support tho Constitutio
a give your assent 10 the admission
= Callfornia as a State, under pretend'
= !, constitution and government.
= Again, can you believe hat the pr
ect Of constitution VIII ch they ha