The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-22

We called upon to consider what we would DO upon
the suppositon that they 10 form governments and
constitutions excluding slavery ms was one branch
OF The subject Then were called upon to determine
na 80 ney
say yea or nay to- both NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or no
would admit them, provided they were to frame consttu
ons excluding or toeratng slavery. / voted IN the
negative and nothing j. to be inferred from that vote the
one way the other than that, in my opinion, "sui-
cent for the day is the evil thereof" consider il ridc
ulous anticipate the future in this way, and not worthy
OF the Senate or OF just and reasonable men.
The VICE PRESIDENT. The Chair thinks tits not,
Mr. SMITH. did not mean TO use any language dis
respectful TO the Senae and every honorable member OF
the body will know that | mean by the expression !
used nothing Of the sort But must be permitted to
IN general terms, without referring TO anything That the
Senate has done that this business OF anticipating events
o considering what questions may come before Congress
in the remote FUTURE and then TO call upon us TO say what
Congress ought to dol say, that il this course of pro-
ceedngs is to be pursued never can have an end to
this bin. We are called upon BY the senator from New
the State OF California being sought BY that State at some
remote dayan event which is not likely to happenand
then consider whether Congress would would not
consent divisions and then, moreover to suppose
that il California shall propose division OF that State,
and Congress shall consent 10 it. and the people in the
part TO be cut off and made into State shall meet
frame their constitution, and shall propose to tolerate
slavery exclude it-whether in either contingency
future Congress should vote for its admission Now,
fore There are several contingencies California
may never consent to this division If California
sens Congress may not And Congress consents, and
convention. assemblies, they might not adopt pro
vision toerating slavery. II may be ten years, fifty
years, one hundred years hence or It may never be-
Now, am utterly opposed to this course OF proceeding
want TO have this bill expedited. But il is not in the
power Of any one do So Il we raise all OF ques
ons all manner Of hypotheses are 70 be thrust INTO
this BILL calling upon us TO say what Congress ought TO
do in particular event which may never happen
When, if we indulge this course, shall we terminate
these sPecuatons and dsputaons may not receive the
@soa Of he p h S Rse wo. Ts ss s1p sss
upon to begin this subject de nouo But II receive the
sanction OF the Senate may not De concurred IN by the
House OF Representatives and if it receives the sanction
Of the Senate and the other House. why. there other
subjects of vast importance to which should turn
attention The whole Legislation Of the country remains
unattended to.
Sir have thrown no distractions in the way Of this
bill Ihave given my vote TO sustain the honorable
chairman OF the Committee of Thirteen in expeding this
bill am opposed TO this Hypothetical! legislation. II is
unstatesmanike, and not proper to be pursued.
MIR. FOOTE. call the gentleman to order for that
is serious charge TO be brought against this bodyhat
The VICE PRESIDENT. 1t is upon the pending
amendment, which has not yet been adopted
Mr.. SMITH. The honorable senator from MssIs-
spp has the privilege OF being heard by way OF intepo
lanon, will pause in my remarks to hear him II he
wishes.
MI FooTE viii oc.upy the attention Of the Sen
ate but for moment The honorable senator says that
this omnibus BILL and that there three passen
gers board legiumaiely. The first is California, then
the Territories, aud then the Texas boundary question.
The omnibus is in motion. He says it is proposed TO
nlude other passengers who he thinks, are not MT to be
brought in association with the genee people already
board.
The gentleman has made great mistake, 80 far |
am concerned. II is the honorable senator from New
Hampshire Mr.. HALEl who has undertaken to stop this
omnibus and to introduce offensive passengers, who
likely to annoy the good people already the omnibus
Now, what have done have done what any civil
genileman-any humane man-woud be inclined TO do.
propose put another passenger board and perfect
y decent one who may expe the offensive person, with
view TO preventing his doing insult 10 the company, II
may use such figure In other words, have des-
veniently TO accomplish the destruction OF this pesfe-
rous animal. Now, il ! am to blame for this, am
mistaken. have not pledged myself 10 vote for the
senger OF mine to prevent the passenger OF the sena-
tor IRON New Hampshire from doing mischief There
fore the senator from Connecticut MIR. SMITH might
very well have spared me from bis animadyersions.
There two classes OF politicians in this country.
One class is disposed TO exercise little forecast; the
other is opposed TO all exercise Of the anticipated iacu
Ties in legislation The honorable senator from Connec
tcut not 10 belong 10 the rst mentioned class but
TO the other. The leading principle Of The FIRST anti
cpaye class j. imeoded u the hoPely maxim, "tafs
senator 10 belong understood 10 practise upon
the contrary maxim, which thus, "lUk Ia leisure"
He to think that much advantage is to result from
looking forward al all 10 future events, and providing
for the same. In other words, understand him TO be
the special advocate OF the noa.ac,oa plan. He seems
10 thDk that tne country VIII prosper Om an entfe re-
fusal part 10 perform our legislative functions
thank the honorable senator Tor having permitted me
to say this much. hope he viii not consider what
have said as "unslaesmanhke:" The honorable senator
IS such an excellent Judge OF what is "siaesmanlke"
aud 'funstalesmanlke," that am quite unwilling TO 60
before the country OF those that have been
rebnked by him signay this morning for evincing
deficiency in craftsmanship. lrealy fear very much that
the little reputation nave already acquired might be ut
ery blasted BY the killing frost OF tue gentlemans de-
nuncations which have been avished this morning so
unsparingy, and, as think, with so little proyocaton.
Mr. SMITH resumed | had not the slightest refer.
ence in the world TO the honorable senator IRON Misss
sippi referred merely 10 the course OF proceeding
which has been introduced by the honorable senator from
New Hampshire, and which, IN my judgment, Is just as
proper and Just sound the proposition introduced by
The honorable senator from louisiana which we had under
consideration yesterday do not complain OF the hon
orable senator from Mississippi for moving this amend
ment-not in the least According TO the view which he
takes of this entire natter the proposition OF the senator
from New Hampshire being before the body, Il was jusl
and proper for the senator IRON Mississippi This
amendment But what objec, 10 is the Introduction oi
merely hypothetical considerations which have nothing
to do with the matter before us, which consume the public
time, and prevent us from taking the sense Of the Sen
ate upon the bill | do not know that have been for
unae il expressing my views but know that they are
substantially sound We have before US, as understand,
the question OF California, the question o the fefnones,
and the question oi the boundary of Texas. Any and
every question appetaning 10 these practical matters,
am prepared 10 meet But do utterly resist every pfoPo.
siilon which u merely based upon hypothesis, which
looks the future, which depends upon contin-
Congress shall do these subjects ID was upon these
grounds that voted yesterday against the proposition Of
the honorable senator from Louisiana, and on which
shall vote on the particular matter now before us