The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-03-20
Remarks Of Mr.. Dodge of Iowa.

be read with much interest ny every cltlzen OF
Iowa.
In the debate, on the Goth ult. on the ques-
ton of the reference of the Message oft the Presi.
dent, transmitting the Constitution of Caliior-
MIA. in answer to remarks by MIR. Butler of
South Carolina,
Mr.. DODGE SAlD:--l rise, Mr. President,
to defend myself as northern man from the
accusations of the gentleman from South Caro-
lima. TMr BuTLEa.] | have to say that; as
northern man, or rather as Senator from tree
State, | have invariably voted, without tilnchng
or hesitation, for every proposition that has SHOWN
itself within these walls having Tor Its OBJECT
government and law for the people OF Cahtornia'
[ voted with but five others, for the bill so ABLY
and zealously urged by the Senator from len,
nessec, IMr. BELL. Ivoted with and sustained
nv friend and ncighbor from Illinois Mr. DorG-
LAST in his almost superhuman efforts at the last
session to give government, whether State, Ter
!, rtorial, or Executive, to our mcritorous, but
much neglected fellow citizens the Pacific
coast | stood up and voted for the amendment
of my friend from Wisconsin, MIR. WALKER,]
lono after the elerenth or ttreLtth hour, on the
NIGHT of the Sd of March last, by which the ugs
of our constitution and laws was to be extended
to the people of California. The gentleman
; from South Carolina, and those who act with
f him, were then willing to entrust the President
with the power to appoint all officers, OF every
name ard grade, in and over California no
fear of military power or Executive usurpatlon
then troubled him or them; but now the fresl-
dent is assailed in no very measured terms 1or
his conduct in reference to California. Now;
sir, when the sovereign people have acted, and
have prohibited slavery in their constitution,
their admission, as State into this Union, is to
be opposed on the grounds that improper lnt1u-
cnces have been brought to bear upon them to
effect this result
The mission to California of Hon. T. Butler
King, Of Georgia, figures largely in this discus,
SION and other matters are logged in, to try and
show that the people of California have formed
their government under some sort of military du-
4 ress. Sir, it is a grave accusation, and those
who make or hint it, if tEey believe it to be true,
ought Immediately 10 move impeachment of
Zachary Taylor in the House Representatives;
and as majority that body and this are oppo-
e sed to him politically, there would be no reason
i to app-chend that he would tc treated with un-
- due lencncy. The charge is a criminal one,
:, and if made, should be boldly made and accom-
panied by acton in the right quarter. I do not
believe it. do no think that any power short
O Of God could influence, by dictation, such a
community as that constituting majority OF the
. people OF California. have not shadow OF
II doubt that the constitution which they have pre-
e scented US IS their own spontaneous work, the
o embodiment CT their own sovereign will. Sir
as friend to the whole Union, and the Consti-
tuition in all its parts, deeply regret the course
: taken by the South in relation to the admission
l. Of California. Now that the question ofsavery
has been decided within her limits by that tribu-
nal from which, under our form o>governmcnt
" there is no appeal, every section Of the I'm
!, ion ought, in my humble Judgment, to acquc-
Il see.
Mr.. President, if know the sentiments of the
~ State which 1 in part represent, and my own,
am quite certain that we are not fanatical OF
% this vexed question of slavery; that we are no
for infringing upon the rights the people o
any Of the States. Sir, as a middle man, stand
ing as thought between the extrems of the I'm
II ion, as one who, although opposed to slavery
- has heretofore always opposed the nliscale>
i Wilmot prov;so, have anxously hoped tina
re some fair settlement or compromise of this mat
!; ter might be agreed upon. have therefore
looked with favor upon the resolutions of tn
Senator from Kentucky, and have hoped tina
~ they might form the basis Of some happy mca
sure that would restore good feeling in Congress
and enable us to transact the important bushes
re affairs of the people fer which were sent here
lie Sir, do net, cannot regard the admission O
II California triumph over any section of tn
- Union, nor do think it should be SO csteemc.
It by any one. Why, sir, upon almost every qucs
ton of governmental policy-barrng the ques
ton of slaverv-which divides the people of thi
country, South Carolina and Iowa agree. W.
n certainly do upon the great questions of tariff
- taxation, the currency and others. And s.
II help me God, if the people of California had sen
~ their constitution here without anything said il
r. it about slavery should have voted for it, if
81 had been the last act of my life. l have eve
=; believed that they had the right to decide thi
- question of slavery for themselves, and belicv
~ they have decided it in accordance with tn
=. public and almost universal sentiment anon
~ ~ them. Above ALL believe the men whom the
- have sent here will adhere to the compromise
o Of the Constitution, and will vote as to say
az. the Union from the hand of inccndiarism
w know those gentlemen. | welcome them wit
l., the right hand of friendship, because I believ
y they are patriots, true Americans and devote
~ to the union ofthcsc States Why, Mr.. Pres
dent, | am utterly lost in Amusement when
~ hear gentlemen get up here and declare that tn
!, South has been c1ctudcd from all participate
~ or influence in the formation Of the governmcr
~ of California. No, sir, no. she has not, | as
- 40 the gentleman if South Carolina has not bee
T. favored and honored by the people of this youn
49, State? She has, sir, honored cherished son
hers, and one for whom she has shown her regar
w in time past-Jolln G. Fremont, man VIII.
7 though young in years, and unalded by advent
40, tous circumstances, has earned for himself, b
40. his talents, by his unequaed enterprise, by h
10 courage and conduct under the severest trials
~ which human nature can be subjected, reput;
ut ton wide the republic OF letters. His cole;
.ss que, DR.. William NJ. Gwin, from Mississippi,
ov u gentleman of acknowledged talents, who
y more distinguished for one political tenet tina
% another, during his many years of active partic
-, patton in the politics of the State whence h
e emigrated, it for his devotion to the doctr
if. mes and opinions of the distinguished Senate
;,1 from South Carolina, Mr.. CALHoUH.] Co
ost Burnett whose recent noble message reflects
''' much honor both upon himself the people b
IL, whom he was elevated to his present high pos
IL tion was an emigrant from Missouri, and nj
'' tive of Tennessee, where, and in North Caron
cn his ancestors have probably been patriarch
90 slave-owners ever since negroes were brought
~ this continent.
~ Mr.. DOUGLAS. And the Secretary Of Sta
is also, learn, from slave State.
,o Mr. DODGE. Yes, and have been told
t, large ma orit Of their officers. Sir, CO
Wy soled with the sincere belief that when | vote
2ut admit California / am strengthening the bon
n; of the Union; that her representatives will
"a, conservative in everything that relates to t