Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-11-09
SPEECH OF Mr.. TAYLOR,
On the California and Territorial Questions.


liz THE HOUSE, OF RErRksrsrArIvEs, JuSE 4, 1850.
The House being in Committee Of Whole the
Of the Union and resumng the consideration Of tho Caor
mia question: Presidents in relation to that sub
iec being before the Committee
Mr.. TAYLOR said Mr.. Chairman, ought, perhaps 10
apology the committee Tor the desuto nature
of the remarks may make by stating the fact that speak
without premedaon, in order avail myself of the oppor
tunity now offered but shall proceed address the
committee
The subject before us is the message of the President of
the Unied States transmitting information in answer 10
resolution Of the House of Representatives OF The 3st Decem
ber Is49 in relation California and New Mexico and
although intend TO express my opinion IN relation to this
subject with that boness and freedom which should charac
teze the discussion great public questions by American
statesman do not desire say any thing personally unkind
or dscourteous those who may differ from me. must,
however, the first place. declare my decisive dissent from
the opinions which have been expressed on either
side OF this hail. and myself in favor Of justice modea
on the Union and the preservation of republican
s,utional liberty shrink from opinions have hereto
fore expressed stand by speeches made during the two
of the last Congress- upon all the points and ques-
ops therein discussed And those who wish to know
fully and n detail all my opinions upan the great political
questions which have agtated during my service in Con
gres respectfully refer to what have heretofore said as the
eIpoton Of views and the determinations OF my bst
Judgment
On the gath Of January, the present year. the Presidents
special message under consideration, sent to
That message and the accompanying documents forming
volume of nearly 1000 pages have but recently been print
ed and laid upon tables But the has been under
discussion several months and have listened the vio
lent and angry debates upon this subject until my patience
has been tried the utmost and my heart almost sckens at
the want of moderation the want OF generous forbeaance
the of mutual respect and courtesy, sometimes exhibit
ed in proceedings in this House.
During the early part Of this session the gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr VKSABLK who has just addressed the
committee speech characterized by his usual ardor, and
he
termed the sggressions of the North 10 relation negro sa
very charged all those from the North who voted for the
prohibition Of slavery in the Territories dsunlonists,
correctly understood him and was mistaken, shall even
be happy to be corrected II my Intention at
ina, have entered my protest agsins, this wholesale
denuncaon of Northern and Northern Representatives,
and 10 have denounced il as now 10, unounded and
unwaranied calumny against large portion OF the people OF
this country WHO intelligent and patriotic and as truly
devoted The Union and Constitution the people oi
any section OF the United States.
Sir this wholesale denunciaiion of great section of the
Union much At With The true spirit OF our Gove-
and the mutual fo4bearapce and respect Tor the opinions
of good the NORTH some OF the sentiments Of
the gentleman from Pennsylvania MI HowE, who has
Just addressed the COMMITTEES. dissent IRON him ard bis
colleague Mr. SrEvKSs IN their desire to draw GORDON OF
free around the slavshong Safes with view OF
rcng OF negroes into gradual snd prospective
emancipation. entertain such opinion, and give vote
here which may exclude slavery from the new Territories
viii the Of forcing my eow-ctizens OF the South to
slaves Ny heretofore given exclude
slavery from Oregon and California given with the most
and patriotic desire prmoie the prosperity of the
whole people, North and Souh, East and West
could but recolect that early 1884, Mr.. Jefer
and Others In framing plan for the government OF the
Western Territory extending from The thirtys degree of
north latitude northern limits proposed prohibit sla
very after ls00 the States which he desired esab
h These States would have occupied the country east of
the Mississippi, commencing about the northern line of West
Foda sud embracing all the country that had been
might be ceded The United States by the original thr
States and votes reference to Territories
given exclude slavery from them, with desire
prevent any Southern from emigratng thihe, but
promote the interests of Southern and Northern
Each might emgrae upon exact equality and surely this is
justice.
No. do not wish to interfere with slavery the States
abdge comprom the rights of those who
slaves under the Constitution Of the United States The
relation of and should be left where the cons
tuition left ito be regused, upheld, abolished by the
people Of the several States in which exists There
other safe rule of conduct and other just observance Of
the provisions Of constitution relation this subject
whenever we, Representatives in the Congress of the Uni
ted States speak in reference slavery the States
Sir believe that the people OF the Southern States are fully
competent take Of this subject for themselves and for
one, do not wish to ntemeddle with it. have doubt
that whether slavery exists the United
States great curse it is esteemed by many
political blessing, others maintain, the people amongst
whom il exists the true judges; and from their nforma
ton about their daily oversight of it, and their admitted in
selgence humanity and patriotism, they enabled to de-
eide whether best for the two the white and black
they existed the of the Government and
they exist to continue in their present relation each
other.
These matters cheerfuIy commit to them and, SO long
they satisfied with this relation in the States where it
now exists do think il business in,ermeddie
with il. Time and free interchange of opinions, and that
great teacher, experience, will solve the difficulties thai
may exist and content to leave the subject in the
hands Of those who best qualified Judge Of it. Above
ALL sir Wbig, here in my place in the House Of Repre-
senatve wish discam any and all desire, amongst hos.
have the honor represent force their opinions th
subject upon The savehodng States, force those who
slaves emancpae them Emancipation, gradual and pros
pecve even, sccompl shed in any of the Southern
slavehodng States will not be and cannot be accomplished
by force but in time may be, by enlightened public opn
ion rendered efficient and strong by the higher and noble
impulses Of religion and humanity operating the minds
tine slave themselves And do wish to entertain
express any other than the kndest feelings of friendship
and regard fellow citizens Of the Southern States The
brethren, and towards them, well as towards th
citizens the North cherish other than the best wshe
for their peace, prosperity, and happiness.
Having ssd thus much in relation to what deem some
the opinions both sides Of this question,
wish call the attention Of the committee the WHOLESALE
denuncations Of the President Of the United States for hi
official conduct in relation the Territories Of California ant
New Mexico We hear repeated day by day in this hail.
and the opposition press Of the country reeraes the charge
that the President Of the United States has been guilty of
usurpaon Of power and violation of the constitution 10
doing what he conceived to be his duty in relation to those
Territories.
In answer to this, wish to read TO the committee ex
tract from the Presidents special message upon this subject
IL VIII be ecolected that resolution passed this House, al
the instance Of the gentleman from North Carolina, (Mr
VESABLE on the 3st December last making and