Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-22

Mr. SMITH Mr. President, had not the slightest re-.
ference in the world the honorable Senator from Mississippi
merely referred the of proceeding which has been
introduced by the honorable Senator from New Hampshire
and which, in my Judgment proper and just sound
the proposition introduced the other day by the honorable
Senator from Louisiana (Mr SoULE Ibid not complain of
the Senator from Mississippi for offering his amendment.
referred in general terms, to the introduction of hypo
thetca propositions for consideration which have nothing
do with any practical matter before spoke of that
consuming the public time, and preventing concentrating
this BILL and taking the of the Senate upon it. do
know that have been very fortunate presenting my views
to the Senate but they substantially what verify believe
We have before remarked in this BILL the question Of
the Texas boundary. Now, am prepared every
proposition apperainng TO those practical matters But do
utterly resist every proposition which is merely superstition,
merely based hypothesis which looks to the remote u
tue, which depends contingencies which may hap
pen, and which after ALL but declaring what future Con-
gess-entirely competent to Judge and for themselves
shall DO these subjects. II upon these grounds that
yesterday voted against the proposition ohe honorable Sena
tor from Louisiana, Mr.. SoULE and it is not to be in
ferred from that what my would be- way
the ether in the event that had the constitution of State
before which either did did not tolerate slavery and
called upon say whether would would admit it
into the Union. BY that vote, simply intended express
the opinion that it question upon which the Senate
ought the present time Think exactly of the
proposition Of my honorable friend from New Hampshire.
California may not, and probably WILL seek division
IL. ii
California should seek it. and Congress should agree it,
convention of the people form constitution for themselves
would allow the federation Of slavery therein.
We ars therefore, Mr. President, called upon express
opinions by votes these questions depending remote
contingencies, and having nothing whatever do with any
practical question before the body will occupy the time
Of the Senate further
Mr.. CHASE have already said that see no objection
to the amendment of the Senator from New Hampshire,
far II merely arms constitutional principle. But there
objection to it. to which intended to refer when last ap
proposes to pledge the action of future Congress. This,
apprehend cannot do So far the amendment seeks
to establish compact between this Government and Calfor
MIA and the States proposed to be erected within hsr limits,
(which to restrict the free exercise of the discretion of
future Congress in relation TO the admission of New States
SO far in my Judgment seeks an object beyond our cons
tutiona power We cannot tonsituonay bind the discre
ton OF future Congress.
One word in response the Senator from Mississippi.
My of action hiiheno has, trust sufficiently shown
that while shall maintain, upon this floor, my
views with rmness and decision a incapable Of any i'm
proper mPutaion upon the motives intentions Of any
Senator. @.s.
Mr. RUSK. Mr.. President merely wish to say a very
few words shall vote for this amendment to the amend
ment and wish TO make forever binding 1t gives only
the people there when they may form con-
stution, the right frame their government in every
particular in other words TO form and give character
their own local government The mischief that have had
for past has resulted from attempt the part of this
Government to draw from the local Governments the powers
which, by constitution and system of government ought
to belong TO them. That has been the difficulty. And
Congress, four five thousand miles from California is seek
to give character and caste to her local institutions 1t
beyond power National powers all that given
to Congress- All other power reserved to the local
governments of the States. Whenever the powers Of the
local governments withdrawn those governments must be
broken up, and then this Government would CO. Here, with
out any knowledge the subject merely because it is sec
onal the Congress of the United States seeking
troll the local Government of California at distance from it,
and outside the powers granted by the constitution.
Mr.. HALE. | wish to occupy the attention ofthe Senate
but for moment. not the originator of amendments
OF this character. One offered yesterday and adopt
ed by large majority, which in effect merely rearm
of constitutional principles and the Senate had ven
tued into that field of legislation, thought would be as
well to engrat the bill also the proposition have offered
in relation to California This proposition the Senator from
Connecticut, (Mr SMIrH,) however, seems think rdi-
cuous one but being cautioned that he would be order
In thus characsrzng it, he qualified his remarks
apply that term to it nearly as it parliamentary
press It, The Senator also went denounce the general
Of proceeding in offering propositions Of this kind as
Understandable; but the Senator from Mississippi, (Mr
FoorE evincing disposition to take offence this the
Senator from Connecticut wthdraws from the danger Of such
collision that and takes safer horn of the dilemma He
pour all his wrath my head and says he meant no one
but the Senator from New Hampshire. He excerpts from bis
the Senators from Louisiana Mr SoULE) and Mis-
ssspp mr. FooTE who first started and the fathers of
this course Of proceeding, and pous the whole of upon the
Senator from New Hampshire The of the Senator
reminds of old fable which recoect seeing in the
school books where dog me, crow sitting on Sleeps head
and picking it. Said he, "you would not dare pick my
head so" "Ah, replied the crow, 81 know whose head
pick" The Senator from Connecticut it seems to me- also
evinces choice to the heads he picks and deeming
polite prudent perhaps go into the Senators fomLou
sana Mississippi be has given his denuncaon safer vent
and turned all upon my head Well am content to take
it, and merely congratulate the Senate and the coun
try the fact of having in this body Senator whose ab
ties position, capacities and craftsmanship qualify him, with
out assumption or the appearance Of arrogance to tell less
distinguished that their arguments do not
decency was the yesterday that their PROPOSE
tons unsatesmanlke, the to-day think
great safeguard both to the Senate and the Nation
have thus qualified standing in the Senate to rebuke
with safety to themselves and benefit to the nation any
those exhibitions which evince lack of statesaIlike de-
pertinent. a
Mr.. SMITH. believe every member of the body will
bear witness that stated in express terms that the propo
sion of the Senator from New Hampshire just proper
to be brought before this body the proposition Of the Sena
tor from Louisiana. objected to the whole Of pro-
ceedng in this mater-o this bringing before for
sderation Of merely hypothetical propositions cast
sure on the Senator from New Hampshire in particular
did aogate to myself the right of censung any member of
this body claim no such privilege but have right,
member OF this body TO complain Of the introduction of
pics here which have nothing to do with the important and
practical matters OF legislation which have before
When rose TO address the Senate my object merely to
make an explanations and not to occupy time meant to
to the Senate that voted against the proposition before
yesterday because regarded hypothetical one,
and TO that the proposition pending Of the
character made no attack upon the Senator and cast
reproachas upon him. not in the habit Of occupy the
time Of the body in long speeches; neither do get up to
utter wlttcsms or to indulge in upon Others have
sat here all along listening the Senator from New Hamp-
SHIRE who has had his full share of the public me and has
engrossed quite much of any other member of the
body but when be and other members of the Senate bring
hrIu fhat,nol