The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-21
NTELL,crNrE nv THE MAILS.
WASHINGTON, July 10, 1913.
7hs Proposition n the C'-npromise Committee
Mr. Critfepder's D,6fc,alf,es


Mr.. Cnttende~'s De6fcrdue.
The consideration OF the territorial bill, report
Ell yesterday b, the compromise committee, is set
down for tomorrow, wv, I've o'clock. Meantime,
opinions are freely exchanged to ITS merits, and
strange as i, may appear, the settlement OF the
slavery question proposed by the bill, meets the
Appreciation Of most Northern. as well as Southern,
members. Its chiet merit is, that it may allay
,aesont agitation on the slavery question Its chief
defect Is, that 1t leaves the question wholly un-
adjusted. II merely postPones the contiics OF
oanion, and, on this ground, it meets the approval
OF many Northern members. Instead OF meeting
Tue question: it gets round II. For temporary pnr-
poses this may be most advisable; but there
IL no doubt that it treasures up Tor the iu-
cure number of exciting questions, the
agitation OF which may again convulse the
country The question OF slavery In the new
Territory will depend on the decision of the SUI
creme Cont OF Tie United States, on two ponts.
First wheih,i by The laws OF Mexico, slavery in
California and New Mexico existed at the time
of the N ucquI~l,rn 10y the United States; and IT
not then. secondly, whether the mere extension of
the constitution OF the United States over new ter
gitcly, gaizes slaNe,y therein II slavery nov
exist the territories, by the laws heretofore gov
cmng them, Thea the provision prohibiting Jurls-
dcton by the territorial government will operate
10 confirm slavery there until the people, forming
States, decide for themselves whether they shall
have slavery OF not. Some regard slavery as al
ready exlslIng IN California and New Mexico
Peonism C, rlanly does exist; but that, although
20 all lntents slavery, In many cases for life, STILL
IN legal POINT of view Is servitude for debt That
peonlsm is not regarded slavery in Mexico, is APP
parent from the iac that slavery Is formally abolish
ed by law, while peonism Is still suffered TO exist
There is Sufficient 10 warrant the belief that sa-
very does not exist III those countries. The maxim
OF law then, In such cases, Is, that the iundamen-
FOL lnxx M he red ~ alfrrpI
or abolished, by formal enactment OF the egIsa-
tue OF the dominant country, before they can be
considered imperative. This, however, is not
MIR Calhoun's d, ctrine. lie contends that the eX-
tension OF the constitution oil the United States
over newly acquired countries, abolshes all laws
previously existing in such countries antagonstlc
to the provisions OF the constitution, and that II
being lawful under the constitution To own slaves
IN the United States, II rs lawful to own slaves IN
the territory OF the United States, when that ter
rltory is under the operation OF the constitution.
This, then, will be the main question for the SUI
preme Court IL decide-Does the operation of the
constitution alone legaize slaves n new terrific
ries? This decision will depend, perhaps, IN no
small measure on the sectional preJudices OF the
Judges; Tor from the influence of such preudlces
the purest minds not wholly free.
MIR. Clayton stated an important truth, when he
declared that but very small portion OF this new
territory Is adopted TO slave labor. IL may be that
the question viii never become practical one
There are many grave natural obstacles to the
adjustment of slavery in New Mexico or Califor-
ma. Few men will be willing to risk their ives
by taking them SO long journey, on so doubtful
Speculation
Mr. Critenden's difficulties appear to multiply
al eyery step. Another letter has been written by
a gentleman in b ltmore, who declares that he
also received IA letter from Mr.. Crttenden, before
the sitiing of the Convention at Phiadelp hia, in
which the Kentucky Senator urged the expediency
OF General Tay lor's nomination, rdiculed the idea
of nominating Mr. Clay, and represented that he
had been several times beaten, would inevitably be
hes ten apaI and the effect. A
of this letter. aIso. as well the Anderson letter,
has been sent TO the Kentucky papers for publica-
aon.
There seems to be no longer doubt that Mr.
Clay will refuse to support General Taylor, from
the fact that MIR. Crittenden's friends (who are
also General Taylor's triends.) already assal him.
So long as there was hope of Mr.. Clay's support,
they would rather coax than abuse him. His OPP
position will exercise most important influence
on the Presidential election, well in kentucky
as in New York. GALviENsIs.