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

L
of opinion How, ask, be insulting to California to
press the opinion that she may hereafter possibly alter her in
stitutions
The honorable Senator says that is insulting the peo
pie of California suppose that they will change their civil
institutions Why the people of California have lately adopt
ed civic institutions and take it for granted that they,
like the people Of the rest of the republic will from time TO
time change their organic law in such manner as time and
experience may dictate be polite. On the other hand
think it would be insulting, grossly nsung to the people Of
Cafona suppose that they would live under aconsttuon
hastily adopted however skuy framed forever without
any amendment of il whatever II would be certainly in
sultng to them suppose that their laws like those of the
Modes and Persians forever unchanged, while
the whole world is in state Of progress while science and
arts all advancing while the science Of government in
PARTICULAR IN every part OF the world IN both hemisphees
advancing with CELEBRITY never heretofore known.
The honorable Senator from Ohio supposes that the people
of California utterly stupid Ignorant cedulous,
so bigoted to have resolved hereafter to change
their political institutions. Ii there be any point at all to the
Senator's argument he either that the people Of
California should live under their present constitution
changed for all time to come he supposes that the simple
introduction of the institutions existing nthe South would
have the effect OF degrading the people of California know
that the honorable Senator will undertake maintain this
latter proposition He may throw out dark nnuendoe which
mean something one part of country and something very
different nothing in another but Unjust confess the gene
raj demeanor Of the Senator here has been snkngly
courteous and kind Notwithstanding certain rather offensive
speeches OF his delivered here that had certainly formed the
opinion that he would be very far from offering deliberate
insult to those OF US on this floor who representing slave
States. " ."s .,. ....
Mr.. SMITH Mr. President, seems to me that il is ut
ey ridiculous TO be bringing these hypothetical questions
for the consideration of the Senate. f..
| Mr. FOOTE. This question not first raised by
Il was raised by the Senator from New Hampshire (Mr
HALE)
Mr.. SMITH know that very we'll But object to this
whole mode Of proceeding. | will vote against it exactly
upon the ground that voted yesterday against the PROPOSE
ton OF the Senator from Louisiana (Mr SouLE Wehave
here what has been denomnated somnibus' bill and
there are three passengers in it-Caonia, the Terrific.
res, and the boundary Of Texas And now honorable gen.
temen are engaged in putting all Of passengers
by way of hypothesis.
We have been engaged in the consideration of this subject
about six months have occupied my here in profound
silence have been anxious to have these matters brought TO
an ISSUE and wish to see when they will be terminated
Honorable gentlemen do be satisfied with consid
erng the question whether shall shall organize
Territorial Governments for New Mexico and Utah; but
yesterday was proposed to ahead and anticipate the for
nation of State Governments for New Mexico and Utah.
We were called upon to consider what would do the
suppoion that they would form constitutions excluding a
very That was one branch Of the alternative We
then called to consider what would do if they should
form state Governments olerang slavery AndI called
on to say yea nayto say whether would admit them if
they passed constitution oerang slavery. voted in the
negative that proposition. And nothing be inferred
from that vote except that considered the proposition utterly
ridiculous, and one that ought be introduced to
sderation on the present OCCASION This running ahead
events ~.
Mr.. BERRlEN. would ask if the gentleman is in
order $50
The VICE PRESIDENT. The gentleman is not in or
der, unless he eaks TO the question before the Senate
Mr.. SMITH. beg pardon did not say any
thing dsespectu TO the Senate Every honorable member
OF the body that knows will understand that meant no.
thing dsespectfu TO the body But be permitted to
say In general terms, without referring any one this
OF anticipating events, of considering questions which
may come before Congress in the fuure- this
OF proceeding be tolerated here can never have
| an end to these bills
We called upon by the honorable Senator from
New Hampshire consider the possibility of division of the
State OF California being sought by that
day-an event which is not likely happen. We are
called upon by the Senator from Mississippi sup
pose that California shall be divided into Sae
the people OF the States be formed Of her limits
will tolerate slavery And then called on 10 say whe
her, 10 this remote contingency would would
for the admission of such State into the Union toerating
slavery. want to know what that has TO do with the Prac
ca question before There several contingencies
California may division of her territory.
She may seek dvison and Congress may give their
sent Congress give their assent the convention of the
people may may not introduce provision into their con-
sItuion prohibiting slavery 1t may be years hence
may be nifty years hence ii may be hundred years hence
am totally opposed to this of proceeding. desire
to have this bill expedited, although DO suppose will
be IN my power to vote for when it shall have been
summaed But if to have all these new questions
we to have all of hypothesis brought
we are called on to say what shall do in
which may happen ten years hence, fifty years hence or
have an end to this hing 1t may receive the sanction
OF majority OF this body, and then what will be cond
ton In the month of July will have to commence the
work de moro, and take the question of the admission of
california separately Or if receives the sanction of this
BODY may not pass the House of Representatives. Or
the sanction Of both the House and the Senate there
are other matters to which should turn our attention.
There are the appropriation bills and the whole legislation of
the c'untry, which remains unattended to.
sir have thrown obstacle in the way of the passage
OF This bill have given my throughout to sustain the
honorable chairman Of the Committee of Thirteen in eyre
dlng it; and will do hereafter But am totally op-
to this sort of hypothetical legislation II is not states
manike. $500
MT; fooIE. call the gentleman to order for saying
that this Is not statesmanlike [Laughter
The VICE PRESIDENT In the opinion of the Chair
| the Senator is out of order -
Mr. SMITH This is not sound legislation: If the hon
oabe senator from Mississippi wishes say any thing by
way Of Interpolation, will yield him the floor
Mr.. FoOTE will occupy the attention of the Senate
for moment The honorable Senator saws that this ia
an omnibus BILL and that there three passengers on board
iesmateiy The sst Is California, then the Territories,
and then the Texas boundary question: The omnibus is in
motion He says it proposed to nrude other passengers
who, he thinks not fit to be brought association with
the genteel people already on board
The gentleman has made great mistake so far as am
concerned the honorable Senator from New Hamphire
Mr HALE who has undertaken this omnibus and to
introduce offensive passengers, who likely annoy the
have done what any civil genteman-any humane man
would be inclined to do propose put another passenger
on board and perfectly decent enc, who may expe the Of
fensve person, with view TO preventing his doing insult to
the company may use such figure In other words,
have dispatched weasel after rat being able otherwise
conveniently TO accomplish the destruction of this peseous
animal. Now, if am to blame for this am mistaken
haga lt,lTi lad