The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-31

pies at the United Slaes are about 10 dshonor Them
selves py denying It's provisions, or by refusing 10
Guile them. But as we mediate such step. ] appre-
hend there Is no occasion whatever Tor the passage of
this resolution.
The next acts are those OF establishing territorial gov
ernmens In Utah and New Mexico | should have re-
marked that voted for both the previous acts upon
which have been commenting but voted ganst these
territorial government acts, not because did not sup
pose that government necessary these Territories
and that there was obligation upon Congress to create
some sort OF government there But il will be remem-
bered that the President sent TO the houses
OF Congress, informing them OF what they very well
knew, that there had been attempt made TO create
territorial government Tor those Territories. and that at
tempt had failed because OF the disagreement between
the two houses. They having failed 10 unite the pro-
visions OF the acts. they consequently fell
Twas opposed TO these acts. for reasons which will
very briefly assign was opposed, sir to the extension
oi slavery into free territory. and had been, every
knows who has paid any attention TO my services here
That principle had repeatedly avowed, and i governed
me IN my action upon these territorial bills New Mex
leo was free tcrrtory California free territory and
was opposed 10 the extension OF slavery into such
ritoy. This, however, not the only consideration
but there another OF greater and imperative
weight. thought that another course OF policy was
not only justified but demanded by the best interests of
the country. The President, in the message to which
have referred said that these bills had fallen and per-
haps the wisest and best way TO deal with New Mexico
was to let her be under the provisional government es
hs Be- ssss
opinion of the late President, sir and, Mr. President,
long before these measures termed the compromise acts
became law theFe was constitution brought 10 the
Capitol and laid upon the tables of the houses, made
by the Territory OF New Mexico She finding herself
to be in the same attitude California, pursued the
She elected a convention OF delegates in
struciing them TO frame constitutional government
That constitution framed, submitted 10 the peo.
pie. and was ratified, and was laid before Congress-
questng that New Mexico might be admitted into this
Union State, Thus both Territories were before us
at the same time, and under circumstances dssmar
was in favor OF admitting her well as California;
and notwithstanding all that has happened since have
TO THIS doubted the wisdom OF that policy
and will Stale 10 you very briefly and very frankly why
have never doubted IL
lnmy opinion the constitution which she adopted was
q liberal. well devised scheme of government but j,
received no fayoro countenance from the majority OF
the two houses Of Congress. II rather treated if
may use sirong an expression, with and
tempt under the preience that New Mexico was not vet
exactly in t stale and condition to into this
federacy, though we all see BY the returns OF the
sus, thai she has larger population than many States
which have been admitted into The Union tina, she had
long been organized Stale in the Mexican confed-
eracy, and bad necessarily acquired that knowledge Of
free government which would qualify her for an en-
trance into this Union But do intend TO discuss
that question mean to say merely that IL would have
been wiser to have admitted her membero OF this
territorial government her Sir, think it would
have been more judicous, because if would have settled
this agitaiing. question then and forever. There
would have been the end OF il AMI the end OF
agitation Ii she had been admitted, this agitation
which nowsvexes The country would have ceased
siseIy that such would have been The result. She
came here, as California did. with provision in her
stu,ion prohibiting the introduction Of slavery Sup.
pose she had been admitted with that constitution,
she would then have been member OF this confedeasy
with that provision in her constitution. and the Ques
ton OF slavery lar as il regards these great iron
tier States, would have been settled and settled forever
There would have remained after admission nothing to
complain OF. nothing sgiiate with success If in the
admission. no principle was violated and believe such
would have commanded the end the approba-
ton Of the whole country The free States could have
raised valid objection and The slave States would have
been sencei by their principles There would have
been no escape from IT and will show you why. The
slaves States have, allimes, denied the right of Con-
10 egsaie with respect 10 the introduction OF slave
y into the TertoIies bat they have not denied the right
OF the local population when comes TO claim admis
sion to the Union, 10 frame their constitution they
please this point, prohibiting il they ct, the
existence OF slavery. Oa The contrary, the leading men
OF the South have favored that idea will read YOU,
the views OF very distinguished from The State
OF South Carolina, now more-,he late MIR Calhoun.
read from resolution laid before the Senate by that
honorable and lamented gentleman IN ls47. IL IS OF
series OF resolutions, the journal OF the Senate upon
this very subjecths matter OF slavery agtaonand IL
- IN these words:
Resopsd, That, fundamental principle in 20.
lificsi creed people, in forming constitution, have the
unconditional right form aud adopt tbs govenment
which ihry may th,nk bs caloused % secure their liter
property and appness; ard that conformity h-e
TO- oso eo-uios imposed by the federal consituiion
on in oaet 70 oe aanea lao me onon e1esPt
Of any ohsrcosdifios By Coags would only be
altos 81 ne esattatIoa, but 70 dHto eoss with the
yriaefp'ss oh which our political system rests.
There, SIR is very distinct ayowal very distinct
recognition OF the right OF local population, in making
constitution, 10 introduce such opinions in regard 10
slavery they hi and that opinion declared by
that honorable gentleman 10 be binding. and any attempt
on the part OF Congress devise from il would be vi
oation Of the constitution OF the Uned States. Well,
sIr, how during the discussion in regard 10 the ad
mission Of California; There a pfoyison OF this
kind ia the constitution OF that Stale WAS there any
gentleman here ia the various discussions which bad
upon that subject OF many months duration, who denied
that California bad right 10 put such provision into
the constitution she had made did not hear everything
mat was said on that subject and therefore there might
have bern; but remember gentleman raislng quss
iloa on that point and such the statement of SEN
aior IRON hlssiss'pi al this session. Mr. FooTE But
sir, have piece OF evidence conclusive Than that
on this particular point We passed. as you, Mr. Presi-
deni, very well know territorial law establishing the
Territory OF New Mexico lnto the second section az
that law pu, these words;
Provided f~ysA<r That whea admitted a, a ssse The
.sd Tertiary portion Of the shall Be received
the Union with without slavery, thar
mar prescribe, at the time Of her admission"
Well that voted for BY the South, and is distinct
recognition OF the right IN the territorial law itself TO
p such provision in the Constitution OF the State az
hey may fl IN regard 10 this subject This Is tania
mount 10 affirmation OF power N Territory 10
its free viii this point done IN California
been admitted az a State with provision in her eoasta
bon which she had right TO place there according TO
hese authorities. IS II not true, SAID 10 the outset
hs, this question would have been seiied-seirc fof
,versni there would have been end 10 all agitation
IN end 10 upon prnclplc-upon principle recognised
~ the slsyehodnE interests, and adopted by them
sound and conclusive s character! Nothing seems
remark which have already made. that, my Judgment
have hse M haprfne<< n