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1 Slavery in California and New Mexico: Speech of Mr. Orin Fowler, of Massachusetts, in the House of Representatives, March 11, 1850 1 (1850)

handle is hein.uscaliforniaoth/syicaadnw0001 and id is 1 raw text is: SLAVERY IN CALIFORNIA AND NEW MEXICO. SPEECH OF MR. ORIN FOWLER, OF MASSACHUSETTS, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MARCH 11, 1850, IN Ctfl11ITTEE OF THE WHOLE ON THE STATE OF TilE UNION, ON TIE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE COYXUNI ATINC TilE CONSTITUTION OF CALIFORNIA. Mr. FOWLER said: Mr. CHAIRMAN : I rise with unfeigned diffidence, to express a few thoughts upon the subject now before this House. This diffidence.springs, not from a want of confidtnce in the views I entertain, but from the consciousness of my inability to do justice to the subject on wiich I propose to speak, and of the superior qualifications of more experienced and more talented men. But as I must share with every member the responsibilities of the present crisis, I ven- ture to give utterance to sentiments, bearing directly and deeply upon the deliberations in which we are engaged. The questions that have arisen in connection with California and the other Territories, recently acquired by the United States, involve the institutions and the destinies of large districts of country, ere long to become populous and powerful States of this Confederacy. To our hands, under Providence, is committed the responsible work of mould- ing these institutions and shaping these destinies ; 4nd hence, it seems to me, there never has been a question pending before this House and this country, embracing more important or more enduring interests, than that upon which we are about to act. Legislation that relates to the concerns of an existing and organized State, may have limits to its influence. Not so that legislation which embodies the fundamental principles, incorporated into the very frame- work, on which rest the institutions of communities, destined to exist, and to exert influences for good or for evil, on generations yet unborn. In the former case, if legislation be weak, or wicked, subsequent acts may modify, or check, or remove the evil. In the latter case, no constitutional legislation can erad- icate the mischief. To us is allotted the work of adopting the organic princi- ples, and framing the fundamental laws, of free and independent States. On no legislaiveoFy were ever devolved duties more important-responsibilities more solemn. In the present posture of our public affairs, it becomes us with firmness and discretion to consult, not our passions, but our judgment. No good ever comes, either in private or public affairs, by rousing the passions. Mr. Chairman, I have no sympathy with any man who repudiates the Con- stitution of our common country. By that Constitution-much as I could desire that, in a few particulars, it were otherwise-I abide, both in its letter and in its spirit. As the letter of it forbids us from interfering directly with Rucn wj Blanrd, Printers.

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