The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-07-25
Correspondence of the Express.
THE SLAVERY COMPROMISE &c.
washington. July 16.

washington, jury 10.
The Committee came 10 no conclusion
yesterday upon any ofthe important military
appointments pending in that body. Col.
Benton, from certain indications, is carrying
his hostility into The Senate, and may be
quite as iger-like there as he was before the
court martial convened to try 1t. Col. FIRE.
mont. If long speeches and long documents
are TO be examined upon each ofthe leading
appointments pending, the day of final de-
cision will hardly be during the present ses-
sion Of Congress.
Mr.. Westcott has moved tho reconsldera-
ton of the vote rejecting the Branch Mint at
Jew York. tits hardly 100 much 10 ask
Senators 10 examine this question before a
gain allowing this bill TO be defeated. If it
were not at tina period of the session when
there is no disposition 10 examine any thing,
all being jaded out from the hot weather and
length of the session, at least more intelli-
gent examination Of question OF this mag
nitude might be hoped for. New York ought
al least to know who are her friends in aques-
ton of so much importance 10 her inter-
ests.
The Committee on Territories. it is hoped,
will report by the middle of the week. |
doubt if any compromise of this question be
practicable at the present session olCongress.
Opinions are wide as the poles apart, and
they are not 10 be reconciled like questions
involving money, lands, or any pecuniary in
teresis.-The South claims the right 10 ex
tend slavery over the territory oil the United
States, and being right acquired by an E.
quail share in the common danger, common
sacrifice and common expenditure. will not
! surrender il; except dividing line is made
between the free and slave Territory.
With the North. opposition TO Slavery is a
matter of conscience and. Therefore, a subject
not 10 be compromised with. Ii is not in the
form presented. like question of Slavery in
the States where il exists under the right oil
compact and constitutional protection. But
the question is. whether new laws shall be
enacted for the extension of Slavery over
free territory. Congress has the same right
TO actupon the subject thatthe Congress had
which favored the ordinance of 1887, or that
which passed the Missouri line,-and even
Mr. Calhoun admits that the action Of Con-
gress will be binding over the territory, at the
same time that he denies the power 81 Con-
gress 10 act at alliD the matter.
Every Wing foresaw all this difficulty
when the gigantic schemes were proposed of
annexing both Texas and then the provinces
ofMexico 10 the American Union. Mr.. Cal
houn. whose fears and anxietics are altern-
ately aroused over present dangers 10 the
South, brought the whole force OF his great
intellect TO bear in favor of the annexation OF
Texas. 1t was a selfish measure, and de-
signed to enlarge the area Of ireeiom'by the
annexation of additional slave States. His
diplomacy ives successful, and what was lett
undone by Tyler and Calhoun was consumma-
ted by Polk and Buchanan. Even now the
great trouble with the Texas schemers is to
swallow up New Mexico, in Texas, upon the
mopslrous plea that Texas, by the mere act
OF the Revolution, proclaimed in 1886, had a
right TO The whole country cast Of the Rio
Grande, from its source 10 its mouth.
The Struggle going on here, is one ofdeep
| interest, and, as have said. rot easily COM
promised Why Oregon should be made a
martyr 10 slavery it is no, easy 10 determine.
II spr no other reason, she would be entitled
to her freedom under the Missouri Comprom-
Use itself, and the attempt 10 bring her under
new compact, with territory acquired since
| that Compromise was made, only shows the
cunning and cupidity ofihose who upholdthe
Institution Of Slavery. Something would
seem TO be due 10 the spirit of the age upon a
question ofthis moment, 10 prevent Congress
from deliberately enactng that hereafter
slavery shall be put upon territory now
free. Most Southern men admit the insiitu-
lion 10 be an evil, and great curse 10 those
afflicted with it; but i: il be an evil and
curse. why will they deliberately set about
lis extension?
Better thousand times that the territory
should be swallowed up by an earthquake, or
restored TO those from whom we have taken
it, or that an independent republic should be
established there, than it should prove either
the cause of disunion, or become new home
for planting and propagating the odious insti-
TUITION of Slavery. We owe TO the Democra-
cy the affliction of having such 4 country at
all, and unless Wing President is permitted
to guido the helm, the ship of State may be
stranded, by those who have enjoyed its bless
ings, and sworn to protect it from all harm.
i. B.
(,orrnsnondencs of The Tyibune