Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-03-22
III tie House Of Represenfafires.

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Mn. WILLIAMS said that when stripped
of all unnecessary embarrassments, the
question was simply as TO forming State
or Territorial Governments for the territory
acquired from Mexico. The present diff
ficulties ought to be settled-that peace and
quiet may be given TO the public mind.
Two years ago territorial governments
were proposed; but slavery stalked these
halls, like Banquo's ghost, and prevented
the passage of the measure; and in the
language of Senator, the people of Cali
fornia were left with Colts pistol and the
Bowie knife to protect themselves" What
was the position then assumed by the
south What was claimed by Mr.. Cal
houn, for he always presumes to speak for
the South ! Why, that the people should
form their own State governments. Not
one word was said about slavery. This
position was also assumed by gentlemen
North and South. lie was willing to
abide by that platform now. But the
opinion of the South has changed, and
Mr.. Calhoun demands new guarantees
Mr.. Williams was therefore left to the con-
clusion that, in view of Mr.. Calhoun, dis
solution is the only remedy. For the first
time since 1895, the Senator from South
Carolina proclaims TO the world that the
slavery agitation is not the prime leading
cause of the present difficulty. If the
great majority. of the North, as Mr.. Cal
houn says, violate the constitution, assured
ly they could ride rough shod over any
amendmen; which might be made.
Mr.. Williams defended Gen. Taylor
from the charge that he had usurped pow
erS not warranted by the Constitution.
He did not know whether or not he wonld
vote for the admission Of California, until
weighty reasons were assigned. If she
was to be admitted, and nothing done for
the other territories, and The question left
open for dcmagogueical purposes, he would
not lend himself 10 the accomplishment Of
any such purpose. But he hoped Cali
forna would be admitted, and territorial
governments formed for the remainder of
the territory-withou the Wilmot Proviso.
He protested against the doctrines now
avowed by Mr.. Calhoun. They are not
the sentiments OF the South He was OPP
posed to the Nashville Convention and,
in conclusion. said that Mr. Calhoun had
erected Il Southern platform-Mr. Web
ster National one-and appealed to all
to come to the rescue of the country.
Mr.. CASEY did not look with the same
abhorrcncc on slavery as some gentlemen
did; neither, on the other hand, did he
esteem 1t TO be blessing but in the Ian
guage OF Jefferson, he considered it - a
great moral and political evil" He was
willing to leave the question where the
Constitution and laws leave it. He had
nothing TO do with establishing slavery
where it is, neither would he have any
thing TO do with establishing it where it
does not exist. The whole difficulty has
grown out Of difference Of views as to
the constitutional power on this subject.
The North contends one way, the South
the other. He believed firmly, and it had
been established in Congressional debates
beyond the shadow Of a doubt, that the
territories are now free-that Mexican
laws, constitutional and organic law, made
them so-that if slave be taken there
now, he would instantly become free.
Slavery is a local institution, existing only
by positive law, and entirely under the reg
ulatlon of the States Of the Union; and
Congress has no power to interfere with
slavery-in the language of the Baltimore
democratic platform" either TO abolish it,
or take inclpient steps to abolish it, But
with regard to the territories of the United
States, he believed Congress have full and
ample pan er over the subject. There