Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-05-13
pr ns Hh,s.
Mr.. Bots position ON the WiImot

position upon tho Wilmot Froyiso oue.,ion Re.,cJ 1
ots were made by essay writers and editorial phppies
both IN the darlington Union aud Richmond Enquirer TO
induce the Wing party OF this Congressional district to re-
ee Mr. Bolts Us an enemy tho peculiar and cherished
institutions OF the South.
The election Is over MIR Bos II I'M. r,euh.r .lsc,
and destined to occupy desevedly high and influential
position IN the next Congress- There can now b, no oc
CASTOR to abuse public confidence mscad public credu
y; all excitement has passed away aud the conflict OF
party prejudice may well give place TO calm and
cd Judgment.
propose with all possible frankucss to consider and
review the position which Mr. Bolts really occupies on the
Wmot Proyiso question as also his position on the deli.
cate and 'exed question OF slavery stands affected by
and likely be Influenced by the future
action OF our national government.
IL seems my mind land 4 can discover in nv o,,n
bosom no latent motive Tor deliberate that If
there Is any one public who, another oecu
pies the vantage ground Of principle fortified BY cu
hghtcncd ludgms mt aud sound on
the slave question, that John Minor Botis candid
review OF the history OF the rise aud vi this
question, connected with the peculiar attend
ing the development (politcaD OF the wmot Proviso
question, will RESULT the honest conviction on every
biased mind that Mr. Bolts has chosen for himself and
will maintain for his country the precise position suggested
by sound wisdom aud designated by the plain octnes of
| the constitution.
We live in an of rapid and character
sod by ieNerish popular excitement The onward march
OF American greatness, IN tho path OF national power and
political strength unless guided by the sure and
oi the constitution result the ultimate overthrow of
onr chartered bctcsio be followed BY the uncontrolled
influences OF wild political faction and an n.t f,
national sggaudiscmont. In the political and patly ten
denotes OF the day. the cautious aud rejecting statesman
easily dcscry the elements future dscor which #
elt L" themselves, will sooner later involve the sttuc
urc "i our national government inevitable rum The
unhealthy mhurnce OF sectional and geographical preiu-
does, heightened and expanded by the not less dangerous
manlrsatons o Pat1au iCa. heoken tho rapid
at fearful sectional conflict national councils be.
tween the North aud the South. There are not waning
those each grand division this cnntes b
tween the s'avchodng and the Vohodug influence
VIII" seek 10 n"uris the ieuds respective sections
tor the most sinister purposes. In the view of such
conflict, behooves the nation estimate and rightly An
pteciae the chief this perl aps the last DIANA IN
national career To those who honest and true 10
the cosntn"n N 81 trying conflict. proper in al
accord the due their elevated patfoi,sm
The bitterness OF mere party strife should to exist at
the bidding at cur country-when every supporter OF IN,
| constitution should be at his post.
The sectional aud geographical distinctions which char
acrrsc the peculiar sentiments between the North and
Souhou the slave qucSiiondcnote the outlines Of fear.
nl anu dangerous conflict IN our national Government IT,
respective Z" all other party considerations The clements
which constitute this controversy above and reach be-
yond the influence " party organizations they spring mn
b'dce lr0 the moral structure oi society," and their
bIneul Influences the mind aud heart of ncb citizen
from the cradle To the grave Habit education paern,i
instruction, with maternal sympa;hcs all combine to che
rSh m the hearts OF the people of the Observation-Disclosures
States, those feelings, thar moral character bor
ueTng on religious conviction, which has hitherto slept in
restless anAieiy-resained only by political and
national duty under the constitution. More than once has
the concentrated influence oi this individual feeling in the
n-sluNehudug communities, developed itself in Com
gress grand sectional move, antagonscal 10 the in
sntuuon Of domestic slavery existed in the South
NJ each successive period heretofore has voice of pa
UI'n sehctd tue climoTs oi sectional dscord. Mutual
concessions and reciprocal compromises between the North
and South, have hitherto stayed the spirit of national dis
cord and preserved the Union by maintaining the cons
ution IL Is still IN the power of the friends Of the Union
to pursue the same course and longer quel the fac
ous dsurbers OF public peace, by rgdy adhcrng To the
snct consucuono OF the constitutional provisions, aud abb
ding by the compromises made under IT,
ta that Mr. n, il
those firm supporters Of the constitution on whose patrio
cAe'ions both the North and South are 10 rely Tor the fur
her maintenance Of Institutions under the constitution
The Wimoi Frovso question dates It's pirentage from
the present war with the Republic OF Mexico. Since the
fsi commencement OF this unfortunate and ILL., advised war
there have been thOse high auihcny and supposed IN
speak the sentiments OF Government who claim n.
one OF the FEReUIsIrEs of the war. very considerable
pofuon Of ueTiedH territory. No this deve-
oPement mace on the part OF the South, than Iagan
near the dsnct annuncauOn 81 the sectional proldces
the NUr the slave question. In the particular cos,
under consideration, this anSlavery feeling exhibited il
sell, IN tie Wmoi P'ovso resolution, accompany
ing qualifications 10 be attached any money advanced by
Congress, as means OF procuring a peace with Mexico
Here there two distinct and independent questions
presented The first 10 whether any OF the MExIcA.
TERRITORY snail, a. consequence of peace with Mexico
be annexed the American territory subject 10 the ut
dicuon aud occupancy OF American citizens under The
CoHshtHiioR To his proposition Mr. Bolts enters his
solemn protest. contained IN his abe letter pub
li'hed previous to the election Ia this position Mr. Bo4
with SagIcy Characteristic of his enlarged public views
has anticipated the recurrence Of the past controversies in
Congress- the slave question, and seeks TO ward of the
approaching danger by arcstng its cause i'm lis incipen
deyelopement Here, At least, he maniest no enmy 10
Southern institutions, while he, with the mness and the
integrity OF pure Statesman, cognzaat of the source of
our true national greatness, assures the North that he
ayefse, as Southern 10 the acquisition Of any por
ton Of the Mexican soil Ie desires 10 adhere Ia our pre
sent territorial limits. and maintain inyioate THERE the
Constitution and laws OF Government There IL Ger
tanly. IN this position evidence OF enmy To Southern
institutions, as they exist and protected under the Com
sliiuunn.
Those who seek as,al him. and thus weaken his in
hucncc, assert entirely different DOCTRINE They the
Washington Union at their head using every exefon
TO force the public mind to the conviction the face Vi
tue WmOt PtOyisO question, that the people Of the United
States aye destined to receive and possess large territorial
accession, and TO be enriched by occupancy OF M.x
can territory, under American jurisdiction Mr. Bolts oc
Cupc- the snc and conservauyo groundwhe h- pol,,
cal enemies occupy the dangerous and Hn,ried ground
forcing, 10y national iegisl1toH tho American people
FoREGS TEBRToRY. IL we 10 have enacted another
I'ni-resoluon annexation where the will OF a majony
under the constitution, - Ia be supreme how the South
em institutions TO subsist, when they IN decided mi
norty7
The proposition contained in the Wilmot proyiso i.
resulting consequence from The first though ~ s nature
independent Oft IL distinctly announces that should any
additional territory be derived by purchase or conuues
from neficO bo annexed 10y treaty otherwise f6sn and
thdf aren't, the North will contend Tor the legislative
suppression of slavery involuntary sefyude IN all such
Territory. Here arises the and serious difficulty IN
voyed ~ this whole question. Ii II becomes prac-
part and parcel OF foreign territory, all the consdeta
tons attached 10 the first proposition will have ceased la
exist aud and original question be- presented IT, the
American people, We shall then be- called on 10 decide
how and under what the United States have
the constitutional night acquire by treaty stipulation.
resulting Of actual war, any portion at the ter
utoy IT the conquered parry such treaty. THIS will be
question. unproyided Tor by express grants DO the
constitution, and must be controlled by the sound exercise
Of powers derived, by necessary implications from the
granted powers that instrument. II we consider IN.
PORTION occupied by Mr. Bots thus point We .ha roa
dy perceive that he occupies sale and reliable ground
undsT the eonsiifHfiOH Ills position distinctly announced
IN hs letter. before referred tn.
Mr. Bots expressly denies to Congfos any and all hight
% ogsntc the subject and occupc precisely the same
ground assumed and announced by Mf. Calhoun ~ hs
celebrated feoluton-, offered the Senate o the United
Stato4 last winter While Mr. B,us utterly dsu,a &, Con
gres- the power legsar the SUBJECT NJ slavery he
expressly ffe-a ihg question: Il" each state be- carve.
ont o my territory, O. the spie occupying sueh fsri
forV Under Che conluutDn, she only allowable condition
WHICH Cnngrcs has hc power attn any port In Of the
people of h Uned Sste occupying the territory III the
United Stairs, ~ thai when they seek be admitted into
The Union, ls an independent State, they shall guarantee
"Repub can Constitution" THIS condition Congress has
the sfpIess power oi enforcing Any aud a oihof con.
din1ns, touching the internal social political institutions