Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-08-17
THIRrY.FIRsr coNots Ess--i., session.

fmportdnt Pr0ceedtngs-P Passage IN he oenote,
ofhe California Bill-Thirty.four Yeas to
Eighteen Naps l.
WASHINGTON, August 10, $780,
SENArE.-The California bill was taken
up.
Mr.. Davis, of Mississippi, addressed the
Senaie IN opposition TO its passage, warning
the Senate Of the serious and fatal conse-
quence likely TO follow the consummation OF
a measure so subversive ef the constitution
and violaiive of the principles upon which
our foreiaihers founded the union OF these
States.
He felt that the fate of the Union hung |
upon this measure, which enacted the Will |
mot Proviso in effect, though not in form-a
provision which the legislatures of sovereign
States declared that they would resis, 10 the
last. In conclusion, he warned the Senate
that they were about TO plunge into an abyss
in which would be buried all the glories of
the past, and all the hopes of the future.
Mr.. Clemens stated the reasons which
would impel him TO vote against the bill.
He would do so first because no census of CAL
ifornia had been taken, and there was no evil
dence before the Senate that al the time of
the adoption Of the Constitution of California,
her population was sufficient to enti,le her 10
one representative in Congress. Again, that
Constitution was formed and adopted under
an executive and military dictaion, and for
the purpose OF excluding the people Of one
half The States OF the Union from partcipa.
tion in the benefits Of the new acquisitions.
After some further remarks relative 10 the
pIoprieiy of resistance 10 this measure; he
declared himself ready 10 perform whatever
act his State required of him. If she direct
ed him TO resist it in other fields, he was
ready TO obey her--no matter what her man.
date. It this was treason he was a traitor,
and intended 10 continue such.
Mr.. Houston defended the vote which he
should give in favor of the pill He pictured
the evils Of disunion; and secuted all idea o
Of such a result. He argued the proptieiy
and justice of admitting California, and de-
clared himself ready toassume every respon
sibility deyolving upon him, because OF hi:
vote in favor Of that measure. In the course
of his remarks he alluded TO the Nashville
Convention in terms far from complimentary
Mr.. Barnwel defended that body from the
aspersions of the Senator from Texas. He
also opposed the passage of the California
bill, and the characterized it as the ACT OF
an inscriptions majority trampling upon the
rights and feelings Of helpless minority
Mr.. Ewing arose TO reply 10 an in,imatior
which he understood TO have been thrown
out yesterday by Mr.. Berrien, 10 the efIec
that the late Executive had interiered il
moulding the institutions of California, ant
, deluded the people in the adoption of tn,
Constitution formed by them.
Mr.. Berrien denied having intended {,
make any such charge-he only said tha,
letter, which he read TO the Senate, enter
tanned such an in,imation.
After further debate by Messrs Davis, O
Miss, and Houston, and some conversation
between Messrs Cass and Clemens, relativ
to the consistency of The course OF the forme
upon the Wilmot Prorso, the question wa
taken, and the bill passed--yeas 81, nays Is
as follows:
= Yeas Messrs. Baldwin, Bradbury, Bel
Benton Bright, Cass, Chase Cooper, Davj.
, of Mass, Dickinson, Dodge, of Wis, Dodge
/ of Iowa, Douglass, Ewing, Felch, Greene
Hale, Hamlin, Houston, Jones, Miller, Norri:
: Phelps, Seward, Shields, Smith, Spruance
v Sturgeon, Underwood, Upham, Wales, Wa
5 ker, Winthrop, Whitecomb.
NAYs-Messrs. Atchison, Barnwen, ButleI
Beuien, Clemens, Davis, of Miss, Fooic
Hunter, King, Mason, Morton, Pratt, Russ
Sebastian, Soule, Turney, Yulee.
The passage of The bill was greeted vii
, demonstrations o! applause.
Mr.. Butler signitieda desire TO enter pre-
f test TO the bill, on the part of the minority.
. Mr.. Douglass moved that the bill 10 est,
blish Territorial Government for New Me,
leo be made the special order for tomorrow
twelve o'clock.
Mr. Butler expressed the desire 10 have th
1 fugitive slave bill taken up aud acted upu
] FIRST
:. Mr.. Foo,e expressed his great surpris
I. that gentlemen fIom the South should endea
: vor to delay action upon the Territorial Bill
E and commented with some severity upon III
: action OF many Southern Senators.
After further debate the motion TO max
the bill special order for to morrow wa
agreed TO on a division-Ayes 25-Nays J.
The Senate soon after adjourned.