The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-18
The Territorial Slavery Question.

The most important subject which occupied the
attention of our national legislature, at the last
session of Congress, was, undoubtedly, the vexed
question Of whether not the institution of slavery
should be extended to our newly acquired terri
tories of New Mexico and California II was
left undecided then, and it comes up again at the
commencement of the present session. in as fresh
and vigorous state ever, and will, we hope, be
settled and finally adjudIcated before the adjourn
ment. On comparing the votes which have been
taken on the preliminary proceedings relative to
this matter, 1t appears that the free soilers, or
non-exenslonIsts, have increased their strength
Mr.. Root, of Ohio, offered resolution IN the
House Of Representatives, few days since, tina,
the committee on territories be instructed to
report bill providing territorial government for
each of those territories, and excluding slavery
theIefrom. This resolution was adopted by
vote of one hundred and eight to eighty In the
Senate, on Wednesday last, the same question
was brought before that house, IN an indirect way,
on motion to refer petition from the people of
New Mexico, praying Congress TO organize a ter
rltoral government over them without slavery to
the appropriate committee. The motion to refer
was carried by vote of thrty-three to fourteen.
These votes in the TWO branches of Congress
give an ndcaton of the strength of the respective
parties on this question; and on comparing them
with the votes on the same subject, given at the
previous session. It will be perceived that the nom
extension sits have increased in strength and are
now more powerful than they were at the last
session
There is evidently much excitement among the
members OF Congress on this subject but there
is every probability that 1t will be confined to
them, and Will not travel much beyond the pre-
cincts of Washington. 1t may be participated in
by those men throughout the country who orr
elnated the agitation on this abstract question.
AT the last session, three modes Of settling this
knoity affair were proposed. One was, nou.inter-
ventlon; another was, an adjustment similar TO
that embodied IN the celebrated Missouri COM
promise and the other was that contained IN
Mr.. Clsyton's bill, referring the whole subject to
the Sepreme Court of the United States. But
new mode has recently developed itself unexpect-
eddy, and 1t may be, most OPPORTUNITY, which, We
think Will probably get 1t at rest before Congress
shall have arrived at a conclusion. This new
mode will spring up as natural consequence of
the extraordinary mineral discoveries In CalIfor-
MIA. II is only short time since those dscove-
rles were confirmed and already there is an
immense flood OF emigration pouring into that
country, Principally from the free States. This
flood promises TO increase IN volume, until it will
be sufficiently great to decide the question whe-
theI slavery shall or shall not exist there, before
The discussion between Mr.. Benton and Mr.. Cal
Eoun shall have been brought to an end Those
emIoianrs are IN The main composed OF enterprIs-
ing men from the free States, who will decide, in
all probability, that slavery shall not be intro
duced into that territory by law or otherwise.
Under this view, therefore, it is sheer folly and
waste Of time for the members of Congress to
keep up The discussion on the questlon-tor we
question very much II they can arrive at any con-
cuson the, will be satisfactory to all parties or
that will restore the kindly feelings which ex
sted previously 10 the time when the agitation OF
IL was commenced by disappointed politicians
in the North, through selfish views; for we think
it is beyc nd question that disappointed ambition,
in the person of Mr. Van Buren,, was at the root
of it. That individual aspired TO the succession,
under democratic rule, and being disappointed in
obtaining it, he revenged himself on the party
which threw him aside. The beauti full climate
and prolific soil of New Mexico will attract large
emigration from the Western free States and in
this way, the same question will be decided as re-
CARDS that part Of our new territory. Let the
members Of both houses Of Congress discuss the
suIiec, 80 they may please but think /! will be
dec'5'd without their aid or her counsel.