The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-02-23

instant and Inc proceedings P"ss' "N
In the Senate, Mr.. Jones, Of Tennessee, ofiefeo
a preamble and resolutions, rectng that the Con-
s,i,ution of the United States coners on Congress
the power TO establish uniform rule OF natural-
cation, but is silent to the exercise oil any power
over the su!j CT of immigration. The Constitu'
ton, however, declares that ali powers moi dele:
gated to the United States by the Constitution not
prohibited to the States by it, are reserved to the
States respectively, To the people, and resolving
that Congress has no power to pass any law rrsu-
Iating or controlling immigration into any OF the
States or Territories of the Union but that the
power to prescribe such rules and regulations
touching this subject as may be deemed necessary
to the safety and happiness of the people, belongs
to the States respectively, or to the people and
that each State may determine for itself the evils
resulting from the influx OF criminal and pauper
immigration to this country, and apply such
remedy as their wisdom may suggest, or their
safety demand.
The resolution lies for future action.
Mr. Cass gave notice that on Monday next he
should ask the indulgence of the Senate to make
an explanation which may perhaps be considered
personal. 1t will be recollected that during the
last session he called the attention OF the Senate
TO a declaration made by the British Secretary OF
State for Foreign Affairs. in The House Of Lords,
that a union had been formed between France ard
gland that looked TO every question of policy
through the world. Since then, and recently,
statement has appeared IN the public papers pur.
porting to be by the authority Of Lord Clarendon
denying that the true construction was put upon
his words, and condemnng pretty severely the
course Mr.. Cass had pursued, and hence that
Senator deems it due to himself that he should
pursue the subject further.
In the House the appropriation for mail steamers
was under consideration.
The question stated on concurring IN the
following amendment, reported from the Committee
uf the Whole on the state of the Union:
sFor the transportation Of the mails from New
York to Liverpool and back $58, OOO and that
The proviso contained E the first section of act
entitled An act TO supply Deficiencies in the appto'
orIations for the service OF the fiscal year ending
he 3Oth of June, 1852, approved the 2lst day OF
July, 1852, be, and the same is hereby, repealed !:
Provided, That Edward K. Collins and his nsso.
oates shall proceed with all due diligence to build
another steamship, in accordance with the terms
IF the contract, and have the same ready for mail
service in two years from and after the passage
Of this act ; and if said steamship is not ready
within the time above mentioned, by reason of any
neglect want Of diligence on their part, then the
said Edward X. Collins and his associates shall!
convey the United States mail between New York
and Liverpool, from the exp iraon of the said two
Years, every fortnight free Of any charge to the
commenced the said mail SERVICE
The above amendment was concurred in-yeas
100, nays SO.
The Speaker laid before the House a message
from the President of the United States, return.
ing, with his objections, the bill making salts.
faction for French spoIa.ions on American com.
merce
1t was read. The President first defines his
power under the Constitution. If he approve
bill passed by Congress, he must sign it; or if he
disapprove, return it. with his objections to the
House in which it originated for their further ac-
ton, where il may be repassed, not by numerical
majority, but by vote of two.thrds The Con-
s,ution does not compel him to affix his signature
to any bill unless it shall meet his appreciation.
He is not to perform a mere mechanical part, but
conscientious and righ,lul duty in regard to the
proposed law.
The President is responsible to the entire people,
as Senator is to his State, or Representative to
his State or district. They are not required TO
pursue a course OF Legislation not in obedience to
the requirements of duty.
As to the amount Of the claims, the circum.
stances in which they originated, the length of
time they have occupied the attention OF Congress
and the country, and his knowledge OF their his
tory, the President could not fail TO form decided
opinion on satisfactory grounds. But instead Of
resting on former opinions il necessary to
review the whole subject, and state his duty in the
premises.
1t was asserted that the refusal Of the United
States to satisfy these claims rests the justice
OF the county. If this be SO, then the Imputaion
on the public honor is aggravated, and there has
been persistent wrong during this entire period
of time. II the charge be we'll founded, it would
inscribe our history instances of deliberate
injustice, and the only course TO pursue would
be 10 make the most prompt reparaion in our
power.
Blu, no such imputation could be cast on the
men who participated in the action in which the
claims originated. Their justification consists in
The absence Of and Indebtedness on the part of the
United States; that they cast a stain on our
national character has not yet been endorsed by
the American people. But if 50, this bill would
stamp on the past an indelible stigma. 1t pro-
poses, not to paw the claims, but TO compound
them. A law 10 this effect would be perpetual
bar to full justice.
This is not the way TO repair wrong, if one
exists. Nothing from Jefferson, Madison, and
Monroe has been brought to light to strip this sub.
j. CT of embarrassment nothing Of this nature has
occurred. They never recognised the claims.
The bill does not stand a basis Of controlling
authority, but on matter Of history. The pay-
ment OF these claims was never deemed by any
President worthy Of recommendation TO Congress-
history Of the case, abiding to the treaty between
the United States and France in 1878, urging
that those claims were never assumed by this
country.