The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-11

Sir there were then senators on this floor, OF whom
wss one. who pereDpory refused TO vote ior TERRITORIAL
bills Organizing The Territories OF Utah and New Mexico
unless this restriction upon the legislation OF the Terri
tory src2en out. we'll and vivdly Iccollect con-
veIsalon with the late distinguished and smented sena-
esnsstness u his appeal moi TO insist upon striking out
the prohibition upon the territorial legislatures upon the
ground that the Mexican law prohibiting slavery was
still in force, and that, ii the restriction remained in the
bills slavery could 70 into these Territories. Now
sir in the FIRST place. did not believe much in his Mex
lean law. and, in the next place, said to him. let this
adjustment be made upon principle where can
stand and which shall put end 10 the eternal strife
IN Congress upon the subject OF slavery in the Terrific
RES Sir told him distinctly and emphatically that the
people Of New Hampshire in ls4s had endorsed General
Cass by popular majority OF twelve thousand votes,
standing he did upon the doctrine Of nonnterference
OF Congress in the domestic concerns OF the people OIL Inc
Territories not only so, but on The doctrine OF broad
denial OF the right OF Congress TO do So Yes, SIR said
TO bim have followed The Instructions oil The legislature
OF New Hampshire OF ls49 and finding no adjustment
be made fall back upon the instructions OF the
people OF 1s4s There shall stand and unless this
sction upon territorial Legislation is stricken out can
not and will not vote for the bills. There senator's
this floor who were witnesses oil the position occu
pied. In the debate upon this amendment Mr., Clay
said:
Sir little ren,a rkabls that by the one side of
Union, whose interest should be TO preserve the clause
the amendment opposed that the other side of the
ions ead shem % lie clause Which is
posed TO es stricken out, are in favor Of In point Of
Cause IL they suppose and as believe there is at this
an o. s n me Of hs1s .
fore II IL their Interest retain this clause because
~ which they desire i know that my northern friends
who anxious exclude this clause by the adoption Of
@ 80 e hs
has commended for They sayior upon this sabect have
vantage their interests which might result from the de-
tention Of The clause but that it is IN contaventon Of the
southern Interests and thar is the principle OF non.ner
venon the subject Of slavery They will sacrifice their
3nav tha
which they willing stand with their southern friends
the principle Of non-inervenon and md. which, the
entire bill, running through il from first TO last"
Now, sir, am not sustained when say that The doc
trine OF non intervention wasthe established not as
mere expedlent, but as grea! and enduring principle
a principle upon which the North was willing 10 stand
with their southern brethren! Yes sir, triumphaDty
sustained. unless MIR. Clay made up false record
Who disputed it's ruhfulness then Who dare do it to-
Well. sir will proceed to show, by quoting from other
distinguished SENATOR'S not only that Mr.. Clay RICH
but thai | am right. The senator from Vermont [Mr.
PHEIPsl having been alluded TO as having favored re-
stricon in the Clayton compromise bill OF ls4s similar 10
the proposed to be stricken out addressed the SEN
ate Il will be recolleced that, by the Clayton compro
mise bill il was pro posed to authorize the governor and
judges 10 make the laws for the Territory.
Mr. PHELPS said
II was disposed confer upon a government thus
ssi,nted-rTesPonsble to the people for whom they
would lsssa'e-lhe power over This importan. subject
ated and thus 70 be appointed should be restricted IN ea
this subject. Y
But The bin now before Us presents the subject in very
difeen, light We propose now create alegislature,o
% feelings The and
people for their legislative Under these cifcum-
en ysiy ds1en ,pe Is no
whether the appontees OF the President TO be left
regulate this important subject but it becomes question
whether the legislature of Territory elected by the people
Of thar Territory shall have the control H. This dis
The proposition were now such government as
was contemplated by that bill reported in lsls would re
Tho apt han1 ME- Rn fael nundun IN
people of these Territories the their domestic
relations. IL Is wrong in principle
Again. that distinguished senator says:
"When i, is proposed to-day deny the people Of
.hsss Teos or their immediate e, & elect
cannot sustain the proposition"
In remarks subsequently made during the same debate,
he says, referring 10 the same point
Now. sir, taking this ground. taking the ground
for which South has all along uniformly commended
occupying ground upon which am willing TO stand
before the North well the South In relation to this
whole matter"
will quote from another Speech 10 show what this
principle Upon this amendment the distinguished
senator from Michigan made one OF his most eloquent
and happy efforts will read from his speech II covers
the whole ground:
81 must confess that nothing has asonshed me more.
in all the discussions that have out Of this conro
and maintain The right Congress 10 Tor those dis
tant Territories In all cases whatsoever, annihstng hui
preten,ion this is not tyranny tell me what Is your
claim founded on the constitution Put your finger on the
place and show IT, There is not the first word which
pessy or by implication, gives to you Even the right
organize governments is there. But If assume
that of necessity, what necessity Is there for
you govern this distant people, egislae for them and
take from the. bs very first atrbute of freedom Do
you found this claim your superior wsdom-upon
spacity Judge what suited the people bette
than they judge for themselves ask where there
arbitrary government which had the same
self sufficient opinion of its wisdom and the Ignorance
of the people Lord North thought 80, and said The
Sultan thinks and at Vienna and Peefsburgh, iol
doubt such clear proposition is 10 Insure residence In
Siberia, or to exhaustliie In Austrian dungeons"
Other senators spoke in favor of the amendmcn pla
cling il upon the ground of the doctrine OF nterven
ton But in order to show, beyond the power of
tadclon, that the true issue the right OF the people
OF the Territories 10 make their domestic institutions
for themselves, will quote briefly from the speech OF
Mr. Berrien,a distinguished constituonal lawyer then
q senator from the Stale OF Georgia, and who OPP
posed 10 that amendment. He said
- wish the Senate understand that direct effect
Of ssnctionng this amendment will be invest the terri
toriA Legislature OF New Mexico with the power allow
prohibit saveryo allow If they exist, reensct
IL they do not, the Mexican laws"
Now, sir, think have shown beyond the power OF
cavi, that this amendment offered discussed, and
voted upon. with the view OF establishing principle
Of legislation in organizing Territories OF the United
Stass0i establishing principle upon which the North
could stand, and upon which they would meet the
South In the settlement OF thess vexed territorial ques
lions, and expedIept, TO be repudiaed and
trodden under foot whenever another Territory should
come up Tor organization
need be told by the honorable senator from Mas
saehuses tina, the bill organizing the Territory OF New
M I'LL