Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-28


when they forming States shall so decides or to be
exclusively devoted to freedom, it, is probable they
shall so determine.
Allow me TO call the attention of the Senate to a
very painful duty which constrained to perform,
but which shall perform nevertheless let it subject me
to what Interpretation it may, here elsewhere,-l
that of contrasting the plan proposed by the Exc
cutive OF the United States with the plan presented by
the Committee OF Thirteen aud if that Executive has
single friend here do not mean exactly that, because
feel myself to be friend of the Executive, and most
anxious operate with atogeher) but if there be
friend of the Executive who supports his to
the exclusion Of that Of the Committee will he stand
up here and meet US face to face upon the question of
superiority of the to the other. challenge
the contrast and comparison which am about to tmake
here
MIR. President, let say, that it is most apparent
that every friend of his country must be anxious that all
our difficulties should be settled, that we may once more
what is the plan of the President? | will describe it
by smile, in way which will be easily misunder-
stood. Here are five Notwithstanding; and threaten
ing destruction the country. What is the plan of the
Presidents To heal all those wounds No. sir;-no
such thing lit is to heal only of the five, and leave
the other four bleeding even if it produces death tsef2
say five wounds bleeding; there is California, the
first; there the Territories, the second there is the
question Of the Boundary of Texas the third there is the
Fugitive Slave bill, the fourth; there is the question OF
Slavery in the District of Columbia, fifth.
The President proposes-instead of plan compre-
hendng all the diseases OF the country--a plan which
looks only at one, and recommends it is true, but the
bill, or the district bill-bnt he recommends the two
Others to remain untouched themselves by some
law OF nature, or some operation which he does not
Gelgn 10 disclose.
have seen, with regret-persstance--for so l am
compelled, painfully to regard it t,m the Chief Magis
trate OF the country, in his pecularp plan think
to u.s. and not we to him. What was mis- plan The adj
mission OF California We willing to admit Caor
MA, and it comprizes part of the general scheme which
we have offered to the country In the spirit of com
does tn
animate both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, we had a
right to suppose the Executive would be satisfied We
went as lar as he went, but thought he did go far
enough to heal all the wounds OF the country, and there
tore offered him our measures to close up the four
naming wounds think, that in spirit of peace and
concord, and of mutual confidence and co operation
which ought to animate the different departments OF
the Government, the President, entertaining that
sttutona difference to the wisdom Congress which he
has protested and abstainng, he declared he would
abstain from any interference with its free deliberations
ought without any dssat sacon permit to consider
what is best for our common country.
Let us look little further into this comparison
which make most painfully When | addressed the
Senate some time since, was in hopes that there would
have been recprocation from the other end of the
avenue, OF approval of the entire scheme, rather than
OF this part of it only, which Of itself would exaspe-
rate and aggravae, instead of harmonizing the
try. did hope that we should have had some sign in
some form other, of the Executive satisfaction with
the entire plan of adjustment But instead of
renee with the committee on the part OF the Executive
we have an authentic OF his adherence excu
slvely to his own scheme.
Lens look at the condition of these territories and of
the country. endeavor to discrimnate-and by the
bye 1t is discrimination essential the public mind in
just consideration OF the subject-between action
10 regard to slavery, and non-action it respects
the government OF people, who by the ordinance OF Pro-
violence and the of events, have come to our
hands to be taken care OF To refrain from extending
to them the benefit of government law, order and pro-
tecon, Is widely different from silence or non nteryeu-
ton in regard to African slavery.
Here sir, let pause moment to recall a topic to
adv hntnr IL
ton OF there being nothing done for the South in these
territorial governments What sir! is there nothing done
tor the South, when the satu quo left for the South 3?
What has she been complaining of all along? The
Wnot Provlso; the Proviso which, il it be fastened
upon this measure as trust it may not fear, will lead
+ evil results, and increase the difficulty OF satisfying
southern men, Their great effort, their sole aim,
almost, was to escape from the Proviso. The Proviso
is not in the bill The bill is silent that point The
on IS non active upon the subject OF slavery The bill
admits if slavery is there, that it remains admits if
slavery is not there that there is The bill is ne-
ther Southern Northern; it is equal Ifs Compo-
mise which will not dishonor or disgrace any who
Is desrous OF healing the wounds OF his country. Yes
sir, the bill provides that this territory shall be left
open to the same condition in which it now is. IF sla-
very there it renains no does go there. The
South has not trlumphed she maintains Congress has
no right to legsate tor its introduction inhibition
Neither party trumphs Each has an open field before
it. The Proviso, on the one hand is repudiaed by the
Committee, and on the other hand attempt made to
favor Southern interests by the introduction of clause
expressly defending slavery admitting it into the ter
ritores. beg pardon for this depression from the sub
ject Immediately in view, which to contrast the re-
commentator OF the President with that Of the COM
mtee of 49,
The recommendation of the President stops as have
already said, with the simple introduction OF Calor
MIA as State into the Unon,-a measure with which
standing by itself there have been the strongest mani
festaons of dissatisfaction in the Southern portion of
the country The measure proposes to leave all else
untouched and unprovded for Let see what will be
the condition OF all else thus left untouched
The first proximae territory to California is Utah
| In hat hof hyrt
| sage! Without any government at all. Without
even cal II blessing ora curse, you may view it)
a Military Government There is to be no govern
ment There Is to be no government except such a
seprotectve government as the Mormons shall erect
tor themselves. Until the common parent shall ex-
tend its power and authority over it, Utah will have no
Then we come to New Mexco and in what cond-
tion do you leave her? You leave New Mexico with
military government which is no government.
Let me call your attention upon this point of the sub
ect to what has been said by the delegate from that
tory in address which has recently been made to the
people there Will my, colleague read Tor me2
Mr,Underwood, at the request OF Mr.. Clay read the
| following extracts:
why have our rights, which are certainly ndisputa-
BILE, been so long withheld! Why have we been COM
PEELED to live under military domination so repuunant
to eemen, and SO opposed to the acknowledged spirit
and foundation OF this Government? Why, our condi-
tlon instead OF being improved by the transfer of allie
glance as was promised to U.S. has been continually get
ting worse. Why has tins government so long neglect
ed giving you that protection against Indian depreda
tons which was so often promised both before and
since the treaty OF cession! Why, the connection with
this Government which you have been encouraged to
look forward TO the beginning of your prosperity and
improvement has had its opening with three years of
depredation miserable msrule and military despotisrn
Again; 1t is useless for remind you that you
have no other than military governme administer
the civil laws with which you into the Union land
under which you and your have lived Tor two
centuries) What other Executive have you but the
commander of the troops in New Mexico? Does he
absolutely control all the civil establishments of
your country? Is there civil officer but holds his
office by commission from the military officer during his
will and pleasure Has he not indeed assumed to or
der the whom bring to trial, and in every way
prescribe their jurisdiction! And when the Secretary
of War commands him not to ineriere,o prevent the
officers from Texas to exercise their commissions in
your Territory, can that be called neutrality! Isit
not virtual abandonment of the governments"