Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-11-27

federaey seemed 10 be threatened with the utter
destruction of their valued domestic institutions
There appeared TO be but little doubt that the ac
cursed Witmot Pyopiso would be attached to all
the territory which had been recently acquired
from Mexico. The abolition of slavery in the
{ District OF Columbia, had been several times at
; attempted, and there appeaLed to be very grea
! danger of this msehievous scheme being finally
I eonsumated. The provision of the Constitution
of the United States guaranteeing the rendition
Of fugitives from service had been for some years
openly dsregarded in most of the free States Of
} the North and the odioys higher lap doctrine
, tubyersve of every thing like decent respect
for the constituted authorities of the republic,
: Was rapidly difusing itself among the fanatical
followers OF that most dangerous Of politicel in.
: cendiarces, VIM. IL. Seward of New York--who
was himself shortly 10 be allowed by patriotic,
but over confident Chief Magistrate, to WELD an
/, enormous amount of the Executive patronage of
T the Government The Clayton Compromise Bill.
as it was called, had been defeated by certain no
torious political intriguers, sometime before The
Waiker amendment which, could 1t have re-
eeived the sanction Of the two Houses Of Com
gress, might have warded off the most serious
dangers then menaced, had failed to become a
law, in consequence of a regular system of man
GgemeRt, carried into execution on the last ncht
of Mr. Polk's administration term, of which Mr..
Seward was the agowed originator.
! During the summer of lSi9, several interest
ing movements occurred, in different parts of the
Republic, the recollection of which will not soon
perish. The people Of California called Con
yention for the purpose of establishing State
Constitution and asking admission into the Union
The people of Utah pursued the same course, and
doubtless TO some extent, under similar influences
The inhabitants of New Mexico were preparing to
follow these two examples The excitement on
| the question of slavery which had previously ex-
listed in the Southern States of the confederaey as
was natural TO be expected under the circumstan-
ces, became extremely intense All sensible men
plainly saw that a most alarming crisis was at
hand. 1t had become most obvious TO every one
that the adoption of the Wimot Proviso. or the
abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia,
would either of them of ITSELF be su fcient 10 dis
sotge the Union. 1t was equally plain that the
admission of California, as an additional free
State, without having passed through the Gus
tomary period of territorial probation, would
work the same effect, unless her admission should
be accompanied with other Legislative enactments
of nature TO secure full justice to the South in
regard to past infractons Of her rights, and per-
feet security for the future in reference to the still
more serious infractons which had been so fer
cely threatened.
The first Monday in December of 1s49, was
approaching. You, my fellow-citizens, had deem
ed it expedient TO explore all the dangers of the
hour,with a cool and searching scrutiny, and, in a
spirit of elevated patriotism, you had essayed,
during the Summer and Autum preceding, TO pro
vide, as far as might be possible, for your own
security and for the safety of the Union You
had assembled in Convention during the month
of October and had adopted resolutions express
i've of your views upon the pending questions,
marked iii the highest degree, as | then thought,
and as yet think, with true wisdom, ardent love
of country, and inhexible devotion to the fun
damenta principles of our noble republican gov
ernment / was far distant from your confines at
the time; but though | could not be partic-
pant in your proceedings, | cordially agproyed
them, then, and have ever openly defended and
maintained them subsequently,.
Taking the same view that you appeared TO
have done, of this whole subject, it had seemed TO
me judicious to make some preparations to meet
the difficulties and perils which was certain
would mark the approaching Session Of Con
gress. Accordingly drew up plan Of settle
ment in the form of Bill which | afterwards
into the Senate, which was entitled,
"a Bill 10 proride for the organization Of a ter
ritoriat government in California, Deseret, and
New Merioo, and 10 enable The people Of Jacinto, /
(oih the assent Of tie State Of 76ros,) 10 pro-
ride constitution and State goyernn,eut and for
the admission Of such State into he Union, up
on an eguai footing NTH the original States IN
all respects Whatsoeeer."
This bill was offered in the Senate, on the 9th
day Of January, 1850, and was referred TO the
Committee on territories in that body, on the 22d
Of the Same month; the only speech made in sup
port Of it, being one delivered by myself At a
still earlier period Of the session, to-wt: on the
27th day Of December preceding, had offered
a resolution in the Senate, drawn up in the fol-
owing words
"Resoiped, That Il is the duty Of Congress, at
his session. 10 establish suitable Territoriai Cor
'rnaeHts for California, for Deseret, and for
Nev Kericor
If my recollection serves me correctly, the on
y speech made in support Of this resolution, also,
vas one made by myself
Early in the month Of January, as many Of /
Tou doubtless recollect it became quite apparent {
hat il would be altogether impossible 70 prevent i
he admission Of California into the Union, at that
ession Of Congress. Indeed, in the same month !
f January, letter was addressed by my Con- ,
-ressional colleagues and myself TO the eminent ]
Gentleman then acting as Governor Of the State, d
informing him that it was our united opinion that
he admission Of California, during that session, 2
vas ineritabte, should like now 10 know, what n
ny reasonable citizen Of this State would have v
ad me 10 do under such circumstancesl VIII II P
e oontended that it was my duty, quietly to fold
ny arms, and allow California 10 come in, as |
poros measure, and the Union itself in all prob il
bility, to be broken up by such samissionl Or q
as it sounder policy, TO lay hold Of the acknow- "
dyed popularity Of the measure Of admission, al
nd wied il for the purpose Of obtaining justice y
the South, upon all TIE outslonding questions d