The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1850-08-09
SPEECH OF MR.. WEBSTER,
ON THE COMPROMISE BILL

ot~teo VIC TIC AdH uuy " 0Utg, lCoU'
The Senate resumed the reconsideration Of
the bill for the admission of California as a
State into the Uuion, to establish Territorial
Governments for Utah and New Mexico, and
making proposals to Texas for the establish
ment OF her western and northwestern boun-
daries.
The pending question was the following
amendment of the Senator from Missouri, (Mr.
Benton)
"Strike out of proposition first of section
SO, after the word beginning these words: 'at
the point on the Rio del Norte, commonly
called Ell Paso, and running up that river TWEEN
ty miles, measured by a straight line thereon,
and thence eastwardly to point where the
Tooth degree of west longitude crosses Red
River, being the southwest angle in the line
designated between the United States and
Mexico, and the same angle in the line
of the territory set apart for the Indians by
the United States,' and insert after the said
word beginning these words: at the point in
the middle of the deepest channel in the Rio
Grande del Norte, where the same is crossed
by the l02d degree of longitude west from
the meridian of Greenwich; thence north, along
that longitude, to the 34th degree of north
latitude; thence eastwardly to the point at
which the Tooth degree of west longitude
crosses the Red River"
Mr. WEBSTER. Mr. President, it was nv
purpose, on Tuesday of last week, to have fol
lowed the honorable member from South
Carolina. (NIr. Butler,) who was addressing
the Senate on the morning of that day, with
what | then had and now have to say on the
subject of this bill. But before the honorable
member had concluded his own remarks, it was
announced here that The late Chief Magistrate
Of the United States was 50 dangerously i'll,
that the Senate was moved to adjourn. The
Senate adjourned, and the solemn event of the
decease of the late Chief Magistrate was an
nounced the next morning.
Sir, there are various reflections which can
not but peesent themselves to the minds Of
men growing out of that occurrence. The
Chief Magistrate of great republic died sud
denly Recently elected to the Office by the
spontaneous voice of the people, possessing
in a high degree their confidence and regard,
ere yet he had had fair opportunity to develop
the principles Of his civil administration, he fell
by the stroke Of death. And yet, sir, mixed
with the sad thoughts that this event sugges-
ted and the melancholy feelings which spread
over the whole country, the real lovers and
admirers of our constitution and Government
in the midst Of heir grief and affiicton for this
loss, found something gratifying to their re-
fiections The executive head Of a great ma
ton had fallen suddenly. No disturbance
arose; no shock was felt in great and free
republic. Credit public and private, was in no
way disturbed. Danger to the community or
to individuals was nowhere felt The national
Legislature was not prorogued; nor was there
any further delay in the exercise of the ordi-
nary functions Of every branch of the Govern
ment than such as necessary for the indul-
gence-the proper indugeuce-of the grief
which afflicted Government and People.
Sir, for his country General Taylor did not
live long enough But there were circumstan-
ces attending his death that were so fortunate,
that, for his own fame and character, and for
the qualification of all to whom he was most
dear, he may be said to have died fortunately.
"That life is good which answers life's great
end"
Bred soldier, accomplished in his profession
6e had achieved all that was to be expected of
him in that character Placed at the head of
the Government, as | have said, by the free
voice of the people, he died in the midst Of
domestic affection and domestic peace. He
died in the full possession Of the gratitude of
his country. He died in the consciousness Of
duty performed He died in the midst of the
counses of his country. His country, through
US, its organs, have bestowed on him those
marks of affection, grand and imposing, such
as the republic pours on the most distinguished
of her sons. He has run the race destined for
him by providence. He sleeps with the bless
ings of his countrymen.
"Such honors Ilium to her hero paid,
And peaceful slept the mighty Hector's
shadem
Mr.. President, proceed to say now, on the
subject of this bill, what it was my purpose 10
have said on last Tuesday. And begin by
remarking that the longer we stay in the midst
of this agitation-the longer a final disposition
is put off or postponed-the greater is the in
tensity of that anxiety which possesses my
breast | wish, sir, to harmonic opinions as
far as can. wish to facilitate some measure
of conciliation | wish to consumate some
proposition or other that will bring opinions
together, and give the country repose.
it is not my purpose to-day to compare or
contrast measures which have been proposed
| A measure was suggested by President Polk,
| in his message of l84S. 1t was substantially
| repeated in the message of the late President
! in l849 And then there is before us this
proposition of the committee of thirteen.
do not regard these as opposite, opposing, or
Ito use the language of the day. as antagonis-
! tical propositions at ALL To a certain extent,
they all agree Beyond what was proposed,
either by Mr. Polk or the late President of the
United States, this report of the committee
and the bill now before us proposes to 60 a
step farther These suggestions and especial
ly that of the late President of the United
States, were to admit California, and to stop
| there.
The bill before the Senate proposes to ad-
nit California, and also to make proper provis-
iona provision proper or not, as the Senate
NAV iudge-for the territories of New Mexico
and Utah. And | confess, sir, that my judg-
| ment from the first has been that it was indis-
pensable that Congress should make some pro-
vision for these territories. But have been
careless whether the things necessary to be
done were done in one bill or in seperate bills
except that, as matter Of expediency, it has
| been my opinion from the beginning that it
| would have been better to have proceeded
| measure by measure. That was matter OF
| Judgment 1pon the expediency of the case.
| was of this committee of thirteen. Circum-
stances called me to my home. 1t seemed to
be the generel opinion of the committee at
that time, | thought, it would be better to
/ admit California and then take up the other