Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-20
VIEWS OF MR.. BADGER

The following very sensible remarks were made in
the Senate Friday last by Mr.. Badger OF North Ca
rolna on Mr.. Doug lass motion to refer the constitution
of California to the committee on Territories and Mr.
Bentons amendment that the committee report bill for
the admission of California State without reference
to any other subject We adopt the report OF the Re-
public, which is evidently meie synopsis
Mr. BADGER said he would state some of the reasons
which would induce him to vote against the admission
of California under the present circumstances and why
he should vote against the instructions to the committee
He had opposed the acquisition OF any territory from
Mexico and, when the treaty was under consideration,
had proposed an amendment to 1t, which, it adopted
would have prevented that acquisition and would have
saved the country from its present confusion and alarm
Ii the Senator from South Carolina and or two
others had voted with him that treaty, the acquis
ton could have been prevented.
Mr. BUTLER said that when he had opposed the ac-
QUESTION OF territory, it was before the time othe treaty
When the treaty came before them, he thought the
country far into the difficulty and that the on
Nv Way to get out was to adopt the treaty.
Mr. BADGER said that California presented herself
here under circumstances vastly different from any
tending the admission OF any other State. California
had no territorial government prior to the adoption OF
her constitution, and this he considered important
matter Congress had the sovereignty OF the land
Michigan has admitted without having had an act o.
Congress to authorize her to form constitution, but
Michigan belonged to that portion otterrtory which
was guaranteed the right of admission as a State
under certain circumstances, which had TRANSFERRED.
IL,
was necessary in order to know who to be repre-
sented-who was to be admitted into the Union The
United States having the sovereignty OF the land the
consent of Congress- the agents OF the United States
was necessary to the formation OF State Government
BY the people Of California. 1t act OF revou-
ton on their part-a wrestling OF the sovereignty from
the hands of the power holding by the Constitution
and the provisions OF the treaty
Mr.. B. then examined the different articles of tho
treaty of Guadalupe, oonending that, under its articles
the people OF California were only to be admitted to the
rights and privileges OF American citizens when Con-
gress should think it proper to do so, In considering
retain this privilege OF exercising its discretion as TO the
admission ofthe people otCalonia even to the rights
OF the American citizens. The Senate, by avery de-
cded vote of 4 to g. had decided in favor OF this pro-
vision What became OF all their prudence and caution
if the people OF California had the right to set I'D
State government and be admitted here at any time
without that consent having been given by Congress
He was an advocate OF strict adherence precedens
He was opposed to any departure from pecedents in
this case of California. He also opposed to the
consideration and settlement OF this subject without any
reference the other subjects connected with it. They
ought all to be settled upon some firm basis Hehought
adopted the saying of General jacksonville Unon must
be preserved. He agreed with what had been said that
full and careful consideration of the subject should be
had before any action, and that every Senator should
EXPRESS his views omit He had stated his objections to
the admission OF California. They We're we'll weighed
by him. Hewas, however, open to conviction, and if
it could be shown to him that, by admitting California
any thing could be gained thing effected to the set
Element the dsractng questions OF the day, towards
the promotion of peace and harmony he would willing
ly yield, and vote for her admission