The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-01

Mr. VENABLE interposed, and (the floor being yield
dishonor the South Their honor was dearer TO them
than life, and when proposed TO be violated by the
North, would not the gentleman agree with him. that the
unholy attempt would change their love to hate
Mr. McLANE replied that he had said that the federal
government had heretofore been identified with all that
Was glorious in The history Of each State that the glory
and the power of ali the States That was what he had
said and be argued further, that there prece
dents in the past history OF the country to make parallel
to the present crisis.
He denied and utterly repudiated the declaration made
by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr CAMPBELL about the
South having acquired Texas He thought the gentle
man had better TO that school indicated BY the gentle
man from Georgia, Mr. TooMBs
Mr. CAMPBELL (Mr McLANE Welding for explana-,
ton said he had distinctly stated that Of
Texas was measure of southern policy Did the gem
Mr.. Mel ANE replied, certainly. And il the gentle
man from Ohio would lisfsn he would say one word up
his dispatches 10 Lord Pakenham had said that Texas
was to be acquired in view Of political considerations
connected with slavery but although this opinion Of Mr.
administration, be would say to the gentleman from Ohio
that that administration did not conceive this policy The
policy OF the acquisition Of Texas national policy
il the policy OF the national democratic party; and BY
meant the Jackson party
Mr. MEADE (nterposing) reminded theg gentleman from
se purchase Texas if necessary, at the expense Of
half million Of dollars, and OF Mr. Adamss instructions
to the same end TO Mr.. Clay.
Mr.. McLANE said he spoke Of actual annexation and
had reference to preceding negotiations. He remem-
bered very wel-so did the gentleman from Virginia,
(Mr. MEADEl-hat when they had advocated the annex
q s e a S0 s % a ass |. nSads
ams's and Mr. Van Buren's instructions. But he tdr.
McLl had been talking about actual
was southern policy but democratic moe
policy, advocated everywhere with full knowledge that
i was democratic policy Annexation was the policy Of
ther. and admit that out Of the annexation of Texas had
grown the war.
He remarked that his hour had nearly expired, and he
very sorry that he confined to hour; for,
feeling the influence which this question had upon the
country, he impressed with the obligation to define
fully the views which governed him. He had exhausted
gress he had stated the constitutional and the legal
pointupon which he derived that power He had con-
tended that such power incidental and was neces-
say h ana " ~ G u
powers were necessary and proper as means Of carrying
into execution vested in Congress the
Officer thereof I sin there existed IN the constitution tss
restraints and limitations which inerered and prohibited
the exercise OF certain municipal and political powers,
and embraced within such limitations and restraints was
this relation OF master and servant; which, though a
municipal institution within the several States where
is regulated BY local law. was in iis relation to the fed
eral government political institution over which Con.
gress had certain well defined and express powers and
IN regard to which il could exercise none others.
And he had argued further that Congress was bound
law and order for the people nhabng the Terriores u
the United States, admit such Territories into the
Union States, with constitutions and forms OF govern
ment adopted by the people thereof He had also
tended that where the territorial form OF government
adopted. this question OF slavery must be left open
question for Judicial adjudication and arbtnment The
doctrine oil congressional tnferuenfI0n must prevail
And he would further contend. that when the discretion
OF Congress appealed 10, 10 admit new State, no
condition could be rghfuy imposed BY Congress upon
the people hereo other than the constitutional command
that their form Of government should be republican He
had the said but moment 10 contemplate the practical
question now presented The territorial question having
upon t6e admission Of California II had been said By
the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. TooMBs, and he (Mr
McL) bad been very glad to hear the declaration from
that gentleman lat no man could deny tne ngnt o. .ns
apply for admission as State Of this Union. Now, a
few words on that point He Mr.: McLAsE) went fur
ther he not only did not deny the right OF that people 70
form their own constitution but he recognised their night
under the treaty TO be received Saie-at the dscre-
ton OF Congress, il was true and an honest wise
conscientious discretion But let Il be observed connect
ed with their right TO form constitution the discretion
Of Congress must have relation TO the TACT that that
constitution free or slave constitution de utterly
denied that, as Statesman, ~ exercising sound dis,
creton The time oil admitting California, be could
plead any sort OF apology for bis course II that discretion
governed by the fact that the people had exercised
their right OF excluding slavery.
So far the question oil admission was concerned,
they must take tupon It's practical merits, as practical
question What were those merits Did they not know
that in the convention which formed that constitution,
there a sentiment from the northern and
the southern portion OF California upon the question OF
slavery and that the material question OF difference be-
the representatives OF the people was a. to the ex
and character OF boundares, and again to the main
question TO whether there should be territorial or
state government The minority preferrng territorial
government but acquescng the voice OF the majority,
The only question remaining open was that OF boundary
which adjusted by compromising between those who
desired 10 extend east to the province OF New Mexco
Sierra Nevada But all. from all parts represented. con.
CURED in embracing the whole Pacific coast as essential
to preserve the homogeneous character OF the State
He argued further regard to the proceedings OF the
convention which formed the constitution OF California
and in regard to the motives and policy which, 10 his
judgment, should govern the Congress Of the United
States in exercising their constitutional discretion He
for that constitution upon its merits He would vote to
receive California with her present boundaries " this
Congress would, in good faith, give government and pro-
lection the whole people, without well as within
the limits OF the present State leaving to those who re-
manned in the territory OF the United States as well as
TO the people OF the States, all their constitutional rights
Butt the counsels OF the gentleman from New fo,s
not vote for it He would not go home and say ne had
taken California step towards depnving the South
Of all the territory OF the United States
Mr. DUER interposed, and inquired TO what counseis
the gentleman referredi
Mr. McLANE replied that he referred TO the gentle
mans letter 10 his constituents read by the gentleman
from Alabama [Mr. HILLIARDl some days ago. IN which
the Gentleman from New York bad explained the process
OF receiving all California by piecemea as free soil
n woud give him the continuec) the utmost satisfac
ton TO give 10 the people OF California the whole PACING
coast nd upon thai he wanted 10 send 10 the