The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-06

States in great numbers already preparing to seek
shall the dissmilarty of the institutions In
the different States prevent us from providing for them
suitable goyernme ntsl These institutions existed at
the adoption of the constitution but the obstacles
which they nterpoed overcome by that spirit Of
compromise which IL now invoked In a conflict Of
opinions or of interests real imaginary, bet
different sections Of our country. neither justly
demand all which IL might desire to obtain. Each, In
the spirit Of our institutions, should concede
something to the other.
Our gallant forces in the Mexican war, by whose pa
triotism and unparalleled deeds of arms obtained
there possessions as indemnity for our just de-
nds against Mexico. composed Of citizens who
belonged to State section OF our Union They
men from sleveboldipg and non savehoiding
Ststes from the North and the South, from the East
and the West They were all companions arms
and fellow citizens of the same common country en-
gagged in the same common cause. When prosecuting
that they were brethren and friends ana shared
alike with each other common tolls dangers aud SUI
f.rings Now when their work is ended, when peace
is restored and they return again to their homes put
of the habilipents 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 ell and of all sections Of ought
to prevail in providing governments for the acquired
terrtores-the fruits Of their common service. The
whole people of the United States and Of every Stae
contributed TO defay the expenses of that and 1t
would not be just for any section to exclude an
other from oil participation in the acquired territory
This would not be in with the just system
ofgovernment which the trainers of the constitution
adopted.
The question is leved to be rather abstract than
practical whether slavery ever can or would exist in
any portion of the acquired territory. if it
left the option of savehoding States Themselves
From the nature of the climate and productions in
much the larger portion of it, 1t is certain could
exist in the remainder the probabilities
1t would not. But however this may be, the question,
involving does principle of equality of rights Of
the separate and several States equal copartners In
the confederacy. should not be disregarded.
In organizing governments over these territories no
duty imposed Congress by the constitution requires
that they should legislate on the subject OF slavery
toned, but denied by many Of the soundest expound
of that instrument Whether Congress- shall legis
Late Af fha uha
assembled in convention form State constitutions
will possess the sole and exclusive power to determine
within their limits IL Congress shall abstain from in
terferng with the question: the people Of these terri
proper when they apply for admission as States into
the Union No enactment OF Congress could restrain
the people Of Of the sovereign States of the Union
old or new north or south slave holding or non slave
holding from determining the character of their own
domestic institutions they may deem wise and pro-
per- Any and all the States spossess this right, and
Congress cannot deprive them of it The people of
Georgia might If they chose, alter their constita
people of Vermont might 20 alter their constitution as
to admit slavery within its limits Both States would
possess the right though all know it is not pro-
1t ia fortunate for the peace and harmony of the
Union that this question isl it's nature temporary
and only continue for the brief period which will
intervene before California and New Mexico may be
admitted States irto the Union. FROM the tide of
population now flowing into them, 1t is highly prooa
BILE that this will coon occur.
Considering the several States and the citizens of
rights under the constitution If this were an original
question it might well be insisted that the prnci-
pie Of nonnterference is the true doctrine and that
Congress could not, in the absence OF any express
grant Of power interfere with their relative rights
Upon great emergency, however. and under mena-
cling dangers to the Union the Missouri compromise
line in respect to slavery adopted. The line
extended further west in the acquisition Of Texas.
principle Of compromise recognized and established by
these acts. and to avoid the danger to the Union
which might follow II were nov disregardea have
have esed fho hiatt sf nfc0
promise should be extended on the parallel Of thirty
six degrees thirty minutes from the western boundary
of Texas, where 1t now terminates, to the Pacific
ocean. This is the middle ground Of compromise,
upon which the different sections Of the Union may
is confidently believed large majority of the people
of section Of the country however widely their
abstract opinions on the subject of slavery may differ
would cheerfully and periodically acquiesce in it, and
peace and harmony would again fill our borders
The restriction north of the line only yielded to
in the case Of Missouri and Texas upon principle Of
compromise made necessary for the sake of preserv
ing the harmony, and possibly the existence of the
Union
1t was upon these considerations, that at the close
of your last session. gave my sanction to the prnci
pie of the Missouri compromise line by approving and
signing the bill establish 1.-The territorial govern
mept of Oregon" From a sincere desire to preserve
the harmony Of the Union, and in Difference for the
acquiescence to the extent to which they had gone
compromising this delicate and dangerous question:
But il Congress shall now reverse the decision by
which the Missouri compromise wa. effected and shall
propote to extend the restriction the whole terri
tory south well north Of the parallel thirty
degrees thirty minutes it will to be a compro-
mise and must be regarded origi nal question
Congress instead of observing the course Of
leaving the adoption of their domes
tic institutions to the people who may inhabit these
territories; or it, instead Of extending the Missouri
compromise line to the Pacific shall prefer to submit
the legal and constitutional questions which may arise
to the decision of the judicial tribunals
in bill which passed the Senate at your last session
adjustme mt may be effected in this mode If the
whole subject be referred to the judiciary all parts of
the Union should cheerfuy acquesce in the final de-
fha frihu Cd ,k,k:o
the Retirement Ct all questions which may arise
the constitution, treaties, and laws of the United
States.
Congress is earnestly invoked, for the sake of the
Union its harmony, and our continued prosperity as
dangerous question which lies in our path-if not in
some one OF the modes suggested in some other which
may be satiefactory.
In anticipation Of the establishment of regular
governments the acquired territories joint COM
mission af off GERS of the army and navy has been
dered to proceed to the coast Of Caor and Ore
gon for the purpose of making reconnossances and
report as to the proper sites fer the erection of fortd
able situations for naval stations The Information
which may be expected fromi scientific and skilfu
nenty useful to Congress when they to consider
the propriety Of making appropriations for these great
national objects. Proper defences land will be me-
cessary for the security and protection of
sona and the establishment Of navy yards and dock
for the repair and construction Of vessels will be i'm
without such establishments every vessel whether Of
the ns~y fthe merchant service requiring repair
must at great expense come round Cape Horn to one
Of our Alta nc yards for that purpose With such
tabshmente vessels 1t s believed may be built
paired as cheaply in California upon the Atlantic
coast. They would give employment to many Of our |
enterprsng ship builders and mechanics and greatly
facilitate and enlarge our commerce in the Pacific
As 1t lie ascertained that mines Of gold silver. cop
per and quicksilver exist in New Mexico and Califor-
mia and that nearly all the lands where they
belong to the United States it is deemed important to
the public interests that provision be made for geo.
logical and gical examination of these regions
Measures theuld be adopted to preserve the mineral
lands especially such contain the precious metals
for the use Of the United States: If brought into
market to separate them from the farming lands and
dspose Of them in such manner to a largere-
turn OF money to the treasury and at the time
lead to the development of their wealth by individual
proprietors and purchasers To do this il will be ne
ce"ary to provide for immediate survey and loca-
uon 81 the lots Congress should deem il proper to
dispose OF the mineral lands they shond be sold in