Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-08-09
II. l. n i
To the Hon. j. NJ. MoREHAED,
Greenboro', Guilford county, n. G..
THE TERRITORIAL, Bill,

IL IS striking circumstance that already is this
country beginning TO experience some of that retri
button which, In the established order ola lust
providence, never fails TO visit national aggression
and Injustice. The War of Conquest which this
Government, in an evil hour, waged AGAINST the
weak, distracted, and semi baTbarcus sister repub
lie OF Mexico, resulted in the acquisition of vast
territory, which, worthless in ITSELF and worse than
worthless to this Union, is already proving hone
OF contention and discord among ourselves, txaspe
rating our public councils and threatening fatal
alienation between different portions of this hitler
to united and fraternal family of States.
Inc EVIL, however, being upon us, it is our duty
as good citizens to meet it in spirit becoming the
Crisis, and to alleviate, far as possible if we can
not avert lis bitter consequences. In this spirit it
was mat we hailed the birth of the bill which. af
ter most aborious and trying debate, las, week
passed the Senate, but which has failed to meet
the assent of tho other House of Congress Look
ing at the composition of the able committee of the
senate which ma'ured and reported that bl-em-
oracing all the extremes and shades of opinion on
the subject all parties and ali parts Of the country
and understanding that il had been reported with
the unanimous assent of the committee, we could
Out regard 1t as the offspring of mutual concession
o! opinion ana patriotic compromise, which should
and probably would. meet the general consent Of
Congress. Under these impressions, we hoped
from The measure speedy and harmonious settle
ment OF the agltaIrg difficulty. We could but re-
gard with confidence and favor what such men "a
Clayton, Phelps, Calhoun, Bright, Clarke. Atcbi
son, Dickinson and Underwood, representing the
Northern, the Middle, and the Southern tiers of
states, could agree upon, and could but anticipate
Tor IL The favor OF all others than those whom steel
ed against conviction, nothing can satisfy
HE TACT turned out, however, that the bill did
not receive the support of the entire Committee.
any more than it did the general concurrence Of the
Senate itself Yet one thing was still in IFS favor.
IL ala not array sections, even States, for or a.
ganst IT, Both the North and the South were d.
Yined on IL and IL was supported and opposed with
eeqlai earnestness and vehemence by both sections
For ourselves, having all along regarded the oues
ton more as an abstract than practical onenore
as an adherence. ON each side to cherished princi
pie, than as affecting really and practically the
scope OF slavery the social institutions Of the new
Territories we should more anxious to see tho
question tremendously settled than CARING much
how 1t was setlled-have been glad TO see the me,
sure become law. The House Of REPRESENTATIVES
howevef-eIther dissatisfied with the provisions OF
the bill, having no confidence in it as settlement
oil The question, or considering the moment of an
excited PRESIDENTIAL canvass an unfavorabIe one for
adjusting 80 delicate and grave mater-have
decided 10 postpone any action on the bill respect
ing The Southern Territories OF New Mexico and
California, and to limit their action at this session
to the maturing Of Government for OREGON.
whose high northern position excludes any reason.
able cavll about the admission or exclusion Of sIa
very. We confess, there is weight in this latter
view OF the subject. and reason for the decision of
the House, especially as Congress will re-assemble
four months hence, when the Presidential election
storm will have blown over, and the matter can be
taken up calmly and disposed of free from the in
huence and prejudice ofextraneous questions
Nd IN