The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-07
WASHINGTON, July 2, 1913.
The Missouri Compromise.


However unwse and unnecessary the discussion
Of the slavery question in connection with the Ore
gon bill, it has now gone too far to permit hope
that thaturgent measure of Justice so long promised
to our iellow-countrymen beyond the Rocky Noun
talns, will be perfected until the North and the
South shall have settled their difficulty Lett then
be settled If, after all the sparring that has been
exhibited in CoDgress-a the delay to the bu ,iness
of the nation--the wearisome harangues daily in
expIaton of our sins, inflicted upon us-the reck-
le Indifference to the safety of the people of Ore
gon, manifested by those loudest in the expression
Of their sympahy-if, after all this, the question
that Is thrust into every debate, TO the exclusion of
every other, is not to be settled but to be PLAYED
with for, political! purposes, then indeed the mea-
sure OF the nIqny practised by this Congress shall
be filed. 1t will be difficult to discover a lower
depth Of legislative irivollty.
Let us hope better things. The proposition al
ready made IN both houses to arrange this diff
Guilty on the basis of the Missouri compromise,
furnishes reason to anticipate more satisfactory
results This proposition IS not likely to be pleas
ing TO the two extremes OF the Northern and South
en parties perhaps each pretends opposition in
order finally TO obtain better terms; but II is to be
hoped few will be found, when the question shall
come to a vote, unwilling to concede something to
the opposite party, for the sake of securing perma-
nent harmony TO the country. 1t would be a great
mistake to regard the South as unanimous in favor
OF Mr.. Caihoun's views portion of it differs
from HIM as widely as he does from Mr.. Van Bu-
rem. On the other hand, two-thirds of the people
OF the free States Will scout the policy of the barn
burners.
have said from present indications, there is
hope that the Senate will, in the final settlement
Of this question, adopt the basis of the Missouri
compromise. Ia the House 1t has many warm adj
vocates, but there It's fate is more doubtful To
such adjustment of this alarming difficulty there
can be no valid objection. Certainly none has
been raised as yet, more sapent than the very
uG n hp N Of
the constitution Some Northern men choose TO
declare their belief that slavery may exist in Ore
gon and portions OF California, where common
sense and the experience of all who have visited
and surveyed the country, show its existence to be
Impossible and upon this baseess slppositlOn,
they build up slperstrucurc OF ponderOus argu-
ment. Those of the South who follow Mr. Cal
houn's views, are, on the other hand, equally I'M
reasonable. They talk IN turgid vein Of the
means they arc determined to to, in case the
North persist IN deprung them of their rights
This is very weak There is no danger that the
rights OF the South viii be dlsregarded, because
the mass of the Northern people are as scrupuous
III their respect for them as Southern men them
selves. The people are not infected with the vices
Of the politicians. The talents and influence of
one man alone John Van Buren,, has kept up the
folly OF the Wlmot proviso. The strength Of the
anii-southern feeling at the North, may be Judged
OF by the fact, that all the efforts of Mr. Wilmot
and his coadiutors in Congress. TO impregnate the
public mn q OF Pennsylvania with the poison of his
uoeulh' ili't WIN 81 Slgudl IL ne peO-
pie OF the interior Of that State are perhaps more
impossible by the arts of charlatans than any
other people In the country, and notwithstanding
that tons OF anii-slavery documents were dissent
mated over the State previous to the last gubena-
tora election, the people set the seal of their re-
probation upon the heresy by a decisive majority
Of some eighteen thousand The present anti
slavery mania at the North will pass away like
natlvism, mllerlsm, and other such weak inven-
tons, provided the sensible men OF both sections
OF the country agree upon some equitable adjust.
ment CT question which, 1t LETT IN the hands OF
inscriptions politicians, may be used for dan
gerous purpore.
am surprised to sec that the general interpreta-
ton put upon the speech Of Mr. Dix, in the Senate
on the Oregon bill, is, that he has linked himself
TO the fortunes Of Mr.. Van Buren, doubt If such
was his intention. He has given pledge to OPP
pose no obstacle TO the election of Mr.. Cass, and,
besides, II IS not his interest to support Mr.. Van
Buren,. Their interests are totally antagonistic,
and doubtless the latter is fully aware of the fact.
The loss of the Van Buren, interest to Mr.. Dix will
be severe but he probably depends much on the
AID of Mr.: Benton to relieve him from the difficulty
OF his position GALvIENsIs.