Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-12-13

In pursuance Of The ac, of the I,h Au
gust last. extending the benefit Post OF
flee laws 10 the people OF California. III,
Post Master General has appointee. i've
agents. Who have proceeded. the one IL
California, and the other to Oregon, with
authority 10 make the necessary arrange
nents Tor carrying It's provisions into cf-
feet.
The monthly line of mali ealners from
Panama to Astoria have been required to
l"stop and deliver and take mails at San
Diego. Monterey. and San Francisco -
These mail steamers. connected bv the
lslhmus of Panama with the line OF mail
steam ,r> on the Atlantic between New
York and chagres. Will establish a regular
mail commune alton with California
Ii is our solemn outy 10 provide. with
the least practicable delay. for New Mex-
co and California. regularly ornanize I'd
territorial governments. The causes o.
the failure - do this at the last session o.
Congress are well known. and deeply to
be regretted. With the opening prospects
Of increased prosperity and nat onai great
ness which the acquisition of these rich
and extensive territorial possessions afford
how irrational it would be to forego or re-
lect these advantages. by the agitation of a
domestic question which is coeval with
the existence OF our government itself. and
10 endangcr by internal stries. geographic
cal divisions and heated contests, for 20
litical power. or for any other cause. the
harmony Of the glorious Union of our
contederated States: that union which
binds US together a, one people. and
which for sixty years has been our shield
! a. Il
in the eyes OF the world and of posteri-
". how trivial and insignificant will be all
our internal divisions and struggles com
pared with the preservation of Iris union
ofthe States in all its yalor, and witt all its
countless blessings. No patriot would
foment and excite geographical and sec
iiona! divisions. No lover of his country
would deliberately calculate the value Of
the Mon. Future generations would
look in amaznmcnt upon the folly of such
course. Other nations at the present
day would look upon it with astonish-
ment; and such of them as desire to MAIN
tain and perpetuate thrones and monar-
chical or aris'ocratic principles. will view
il with eNultation and delight. because in
it lhev will see the elements of faction.
which they hope must ultimately overturn
-
a prosperous and free selfgoverncd re-
public, commanding the admiration and
the imitation Of all lovers of freedom
throughout the world. How solemn,
therefore, is the duty, how impressive the
call upon Us. and upon all parts Of our
country to cultivate a patriotic spirit of
harmony. good fellowship, Of compro-
mise, and mutual concession in the adj
mnistration of the incompatible system
of government formed by our fathers in
the midst of almost insuperable difficult
ties. and transmitted to us with the iniunc-
ton that we should enjoy its blessings,
and hand it down unnIpaircd to those
who may come after us.
In view Of the high and responsible duties
which we owe to ourselves, and to mankind. l
trust you may be able, at your prese mt session
I to approach tue adjustment Of the only do,nes-
tic question, which seriously threatens or prob
ably ever can threaten, to disturb the harmony
and successful operation of system.
The immensely valuable possessions OF New
Mexico and California are already Inhabited by
considerable population Attracted by their
great fertility, their mineral wealth, their COM
mercial advantages, and the saubrity of the eli
mate, einigrants from the older States. in grea,
numbers, are already preparing to seek new
homes in these inviting regions.
Shall the dissmiIarity of domestic institutions
in the different States prevent us from providing
for them suitable governments? These institu-
tons existed at the adoption Of the Consttut ion,
but the Obstacles which they interposed were
overcome by that spirit Of compromise which is
now invoked. In conflict of opinions, of in
terest, real or imaginary, between different
tons OF our country, neither can Justly demand
all which it might desire TO obtain. Each, in the
true spirit of our Institutions, should concede
something TO the other.
Our gallant forces in the Mexican war, by
whose patriotism and unparali led deeds Of arms
we obtained these possessions an indemnity
for our Just demands against Mexico, were COM
posed of citizens who belonged to state or
section of our Union. They We're from,
saveholding and non-slave holding states, from
the north and from the south, from the east and
the west. They were all companions in arms,
and fellow-citZens of the same common coun-
try, engaged in the same common cause. When
prosecuting that they were brethren and
friends, and shared alike with each other common
tolls, dangers and suferingA-Now, when the ir
work Is ended, when peace is restored, aud the y
return again &c their homes, put off the habii-
ments of war, take their places in society, and
resume their pursuits in civil life, surely spirit
of harmony and concession and Of equal regard
for the rights of all, and of all sections Of the
Unions ought TO prevail, in providing govern
ments for the acquired t~rrIforcs-the fruits of
their common service. The whole pc opie OF the
United States, and of every state, contributed to
defraS the expeu of that war; aud II would not
be Just for any section to exclude another
from all participation in the acquired territory.
This would not be 10 consonance with the just
system of government which the trainers OF our
constitution adopted.
The question s believed to be rather abstract
than practical, whe ther slavery wouid
exist in any portion Of the acquired territory.
if it were left TO the option Of the slave
holding States themselves. From the nature OF
the climate, and productions Of the country, liz
much the larger portion Of IT, II IS certain It could
never exist: and in the remainder, the probable
tiles are, il would not. But, however this IN y
Il.
of equality of rights OF the reperate and several
States. equal copartrers in the confcderacy
should not be disrrgasded
In organizing government ts over these terrific
ries. no duties imposed on Congress by the Con
stituton require that they should l~gisate or
the subject Of slavery. while their power 10 dc
SO is not only seriously questioned, but denied
by many of the soundest expounders of that in
sirunlent- Whether Congress shall iegisIate Of
not. the people of the acquired territories. when
aied {. Ia lsauSiI-