The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-24
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1851.
THE COMPROMISE MEASURES.

IHE COMPROMISE MEASURES
The hour OF O'Clock having arrived and the res
olutIons declaring the compromise measures to be tina
settlement OF all the questions growing of the sub
jecl of domestic slavery being The special order
Mr.. FOOIE resumed the foor and continued his re
marks as follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: II must be obvious 10 all tina, the
merits of this resolution, if merits it possess, depend
entirely upon The character OF the compromise measures
themselves II they OF real and great value, and
thus ented TO be maintained and executed faithfully
and efhclently with view to securing the national
pose and the continued Of free institutions in
this country, then, the adoption OF such resou
ton the under consideration obviously desirable
and necessary under the ccumsa existing the
ture OF which has already been twice explained
10 hearing OF the Senate Much has been said in oppo-
son TO the measures OF compromise by both The
tors from South Carolina. shall not now enter into
very elaborate defence OF them Nothing could be, in
my opnion, more unHohlable in itself, or less enter
tanning 10 this body There is hardly intelligent boy
who has reached bis fifteenth year who does not under
stand each OF these enacmens. and in all its bearings
he ablest minds oil the country have been occupied
elucdalDg every point OF The pending controversy and
II would be not liiile presumpuous in TO entertain
hope OF supplying add dtonal elucidation of them.
But, sir. certain remarks have been made--i will not
that Arguments have been offered for the remarks 10
which refer did not approximate to the dignity OF
gument-ceriain suggestions hostile to these measures
have been thrown up IN quite cursoTy and mmethodi-
cal manner 10 which believe 1t is my duty at the pres
ent time TO give passing notice The senator from
South Carolina who sits most distant from me INT
RHErTl declared IN solemn manner, his opinion that
the admission OF California unconstitutional Has
he sir given any for his entertainment OF that
opinion None, sir, except one based upon certain
letter that had the honor al one time OF subscribing
with certain colleagues OF mine, which has been dis
cussed all the country, in the newspapers and else
where, 10 such extent TO make the very mention oil
this lle epistle positively disgusting TO any not
prone TO occupy his mind exclusively in scrutnizing
trivalites Sif, have heretofore stated the circun.
stances in which that letter originated, and have ex
planned its true object and import and hold II 10 be
next TO impossible that any man, however disposed 10
misjudge me, can regard that letter as intmatng the
least doubt as to the consttotonay OF admitting Cali.
fornla The position assumed by me the other day, that
this OF legislation in conformity with the consi
tuition, remains altogether unshaken This act OF ad-
mission, all must admit does not vary in substance OF
phraseology from every other OF similar kind which
has been heretofore adopted for many years past II other
new States have been conslutionally admitted which
have found their way into the Union by means OF a
legislative proceeding precisely similar 10 all respects 10
the act admitting California how can the validity OF her
admission be controverted
The State has been simply admitted upon a footing
with the older States OF the conederacy. without any
condition or qualification whatsoever and even Mt
Calhoun taught his political disciples, Whit living what
was certainly quite obvious without any such teaching
that the discretion OF Congress in the admission OF new
States was without limitation restriction, save that
must become satisfied that The new State applying Tor af
mission possessed government republican in it's charac-
ter Sir, no has yet doubted that California has
publican constitution and would respectfully suggest
ba, il any doubt should arise upon this particular point
mis- hit expect objections based upon this very delicate
ground, emanae much naturally elsewhere than
farm OF government has been oftentmes denied TO be
altogether republican in ts form might be reasona
bly, desired This remark will not trust be regarded
as at all disparagng 10 this renowned Commonwealth
whose citizens have OF late, as learn begun 10 testify
what eager desire 10 modify their present organic
law, make II conform nearly to the true re.
publican model Sir, nlnetynne lufsts out oi every
hundred be found in the country have decided the ac
OF admitting California to be strictly constitutional and
year or two hence all reasonable will wonder how
any doubt could have been supposed TO exist upon
this subject At any rate, sir shall not now discuss
this question, and shall proceed 10 examine matters o
more urgency
/ The senator from South Carolina [Mr RHrrrl says
that he see. the Wmo provso in the act admitting Cal
iiornia WE'LL sir, the optics OF the gentleman must be
| yondrously keen Does the gentleman know what tbs
| Wilmot provso isl Does he know that II IN terms ap
plies 10 The vacant territory OF the republic, and canno
by possibility be made 10 operate within The limits OF
sovereign Siatei The Wilmot proviso, in tems excludes
or prohibits slavery wheresoever operates the act
admitting California does not allude to slavery at all
Waving all regular argumen, upon this head, VIII pro
ceed 10 notice one or two other considerations connecte
with this subject Sir, permit me to say that do not