Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-05-01
Interesting Debate in the House.
q uousE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
n IiOo mil 81 1852.

1 nroDerlv speaking. to the SUBJECT oeloio vi
committee it might be construed lnso an nnittee
GohI t 20 the usage and custom OF this commi'tee
Ptre nropose in the first Instance TO aourese
observations to the political aspect OF the copns
.nd to that common toplc-the next Pt.;
campaign. intend to say Few "olus III III -.
s,ha nTinciples on which that canvass must De io"S
nd when we consider how much OF Puollc lh'ei
denends upon the result of that contest we ca ~
astopshed that it has occupied SO large Poi'0"
the attention OF this House. ,- ,ose5 70
In the outset, desire TO say that am oPpi
vtbino like separate Union party, and lot the pan
reason that do not believe thatthe cohul'iol "
country makes such an organlzdho" . vh;ob
admit that there questions III "ia Ill .rrve
n.v r;se above party, and when the tlihe SI"i on
,h; tho existence of the government user uoP:n
'non sncb an organization, such an orgahlLa'ion WI.
ppoassariIv take place. But that Is not the present
condition of affairs. -. :, :; ,eoossarv to
:, nm The old party organizations. believe II Is
exnedient for the that an opposite course
Lead directly to sectional parties and 10 geogldPn
combinations which can only exist LOT shol' "'
in This country without the destruction OF the govern
ment ITSELF would therefore postpone me eV'l ud9
of such state of things to the time when II may "
necessary for the preservation OF THIS Cover ui
am in favor of adheTing to the ola ue'iioe
l,ra. .d6;no IN il no more than the absolute
I,on,s of the country at this time may requiIe-ol'
as to party creeds when Old party creeus 10 "o' a."
ever the purpose it is legitimate to nave ne" Ge
90 IL ,rss to adopt the old in the hrSt instance II
a.bi aason that have voted in this House for the
nass,oe of the resolutions approving or ld'"ei az
0uiescing in the compromise measures ana HSsGI'in
The principle that the fugitve-slave law shouu oe
enforced do it, for the purpose oil rehecuhS Oil
H. .st cotton of anv one but because conceive that
eucb action is necessary the welfare OF Inc na'io"
and indispensable to the peace OF society IN our
trv at this moment. Nor do see how any geh'e
men opposed to those measures can complain OF suc
cnnrSe unless he be one of those who think that
this government has lasted too long, and that "hdt
has taken place is sufficient ground tor breaking II
up NAV be permitted to say, that II holhlhS was
involved in the question but the aspect OF Paltes d'
the South, ! should esteem such vote unhecess"iy
Rnt such is not the case. should esteem reSolu-
ton approving acquiesing in the COMPROMISE uh-
necessary for the obvious that every southern
State in some form or another has acquesced III me
measures adopted by the Thirty-frst Congress. Ii II
was intended therefore, operate upon southern par
ties and southern politicians alone, 1t would De un-
necessary But, sir, that is not the state OF the CASE
We have been notified here by the iree-sol conheA-
ion that they hold the ugtve-slave law to be uhcoh-
s,tutiona and that they regard the acts In relation 10
the territorial governments to be as subJectto mooi-
cation and repeal any ordinary acts OF the American
Congress. 1t is reach these mainly and PrlncPai-
", that am in favor of adopting the Compromise as
afnalty do not wish to reflect even upon the tree
soers or to thrust them out of the party But they
are to continue to act with US, they must give bonds
TO keep the peace. II they do not, then, IN my est-
nation we ought to hold further athatlon win
them. These persons ought not to be allowed inside
of the democratic party, by further agitation to furnish
fresh cause for secession, or 10 endanger the public
peace and the stability of the government Agitation
should cease on this subject.
Now, sir, l am unable 10 perceive how any SOUTH
ern man, however extreme his opinions may be In
relation to this subject can feel any reluctance In
adopting the Compromise as hnallty In reference to
the whole subject. There is, In my estimation
necessity growing out of the enforcement OF the tug
tve-slave law-as it is obviously the purpose OF the
free-soers and abolitionsts to remain quiet for the
present. and then, after the presidential election has
terminated into Congress and agitate for the
repeal of the fugitive-save law. 1t is not only tina
measure which makes the adoption of the compromise
resolution proper, but the whole subject OF slavery II
the Territories. If there anything well under
stood when the compromise measures were adopted
twas that the question of slavery in the Territories
stood upon the constitution, that 1t should be main
tanned there and that the Territories should be oper
slavery if the constitution permitted slavery to
ist in those Territories. Now, notified by
these gentlemen that it is their purpose Il
agate the subject of slavery in the Territories,
introduce bills for the exclusion of slavery from
the Territories of New Mexico and Utah. This il
the more necessary on the part of the South, becaus
the returns show that slavery actually exist
both in Utah and New Mexico. l think, therefore
it is incumbent upon the democratic party to tina
that which a settlement shall remain a settlement
uDaltered, unmoded and unrepealed. And, sir, be
comes, in my estimation, the more necessary to sa
because see certain opinions advanced since tn
adoption of these measures touching this subject t
which, in another aspect, l wish, for few moments
10 call the attention of the committee.
Mr.. Meacham. Will the gentleman allow t
ask him single question
MIR. Howard. Ii you will be brief.
Mr.. Meacham. l ask the gentleman whether he
in sustaining the Compromise, will go against tn
proposed division of the boundary of California S
10 make two States instead of one!
Mr.. Howard. l astonished that such ques
ton should be asked by gentleman who is a mem
her of the Judiciary Committee. California is in tn
Union. She is sovereign State. She has the RICH
TO divide herself with the consent of Congress- an
one portion has the right TO come here and deman
admission into the Union after the consent is given
and when it comes here we have no power then br
to look into their constitution, and see whether it ha
or has not adopted republican form of government
Mr.. Meacham. Will not you be varying the Com
promise il you say you will 90 for that division
Mr.. Howard. Not at ALL The idea is preposte
ous for the simple that California was admitte
into the Union with all the privileges, all the power
and upon principles of equality with the other State
No man doubts that any one of the old States ha
the power TO exclude slavery retain it, at its ow
go beyond the admission of California. 1t did NJ
extend to maintaining excluding slavery there NJ
to retaining the State with its present limits or inst
tutions.'
But 10 return to the subject on which was cor
menng. 1t has been put forth in certain quartz
that, although the exclusion of slavery in the Teri
tories, by direct act of Congress, would be unco
sNuuonai, yet that it constitutional for the teri
torIal legislatures 10 exclude it. Now, for one.
oeslre 10 say mat repudate altogether the idea
the squatters soveregnity-that it can have no ext
tence In the constitution, in the brain ef anv SCUM
reasoning lawyer. And why! The territorial 1o
ernments are organized by Congress Their noliI;c
powers charters derived from Congress- IN
can look to that charter for their powers and not