The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-01-09
NE ORLEANS:
%
pESDAY MORNING, JANUARY O. 1s4o.
The Slave Question.

pg upon the probable result of the action of Con.
ess upon the very exciting questions which have
zen brought before it, relative to slavery in the
strict of Columbia and the Territories of New
exico and California. Opinions vary with the
Fltudes OF the places where the papers are pub
hed, and often in the same latitude, with the
Rrty feelings and connections of the writers. ALI
les seem to be turned to the Committee of the
Puthern members, which has been appointed to
something, no one knows what-and which is
pected to recommend measures of vast impor-
pee, no one knows exactly why. What can the
bmmittee recommend what can the Southern
embers decide upon. We are utterly in the
rk. We wish them to act dsereely and wisely :;
pt from the fidgetty displays made in years gone
from the party and personal interests which SO
hpy OF them value more than anything else, and
pm the bad temper manifested at the very outset
this attempt to act in unity, we can expect but
tie OF any thing from their deliberations, and
thmg at all particularly great or good.
IL will not do to talk Of calculating the value of
Union" as South Carolina once did that value
lnestimable by any ordinary standard to the
representatives in Congress it may seem indeed
pail matter-to their constituents it is every thing.
Ft, if the Southern members do not recommend
mething like notification, threaten something
Re secession, what can they do! Will they de-
pnstrate that Congress has no power over the sub
FL OF slavery in the District of Columbia Can
ey advance any new argument upon that point
An they convince any one of the position who is
already satisfied I! Will they issue an address,
owing the right of people to hold slaves in the new
rritories, or showing that Congress has no right
Tn wit, Ca,,
vance any thing stronger than the speeches of
hihoun and Berrien upon that very point? Will
y endeavor to leave the territorial question open,
ID let the rights of the people, the Territories be
Rcided by the judicial tribunals What plan
2uld they hit upon better than Clayton's bill
nd yet unless some of them have changed their
nds since the last session, the Southern members
emselves cannot agree upon that.
Turn the subject in every way, and it would
em that the Southern members, per Sc cannot
any thing except to threaten extreme measures
recommend revolution, if slavery be abolished
the District or the Wilmot proviso be extended
the Territories. They must do what amounts to
is, or do what is equivalent to nothing. But we
Ppe they will reflect long and well before recon-
endation so extreme, and in our opinion so rash
hd futile, shall be sent forth to the country. The
ht of revolution is inherent in the people for the
moval Of evils, when evils become intolerable.
It it is the ultima ratio popul;, to be used only
hen all other means fail. Before people resort
it, they will naturally inquire into the nature of
De grievance to be redressed. Is it of that magni-
de which will justify the severance of all ancient
s, the breach of all old fellowships9 Is it suffi
ent to arm brother against brother, father against
Pn, to plunge whole communities into the horrors
devastating war! Next, is the abstract right SO
britain that no disinterested man can doubt upon
be SUBJECTS it plain that the parties themselves
hve no doubt! Having settled these important
'binis, there is another question which prudent
ben will put to themselves before they risk all
pom the uncertain chance of war. What will be
aimed by victory! This astquestion, in this con-
lection, is the most important of all. We suggest
now for their consideration 1t is not our purpose
discuss it, unless the discussion become absolute
necessary. But if rash counsels prevail at
1ashington-if headstrong men rush into danger
ps measures-if the happiness of the masses and
e existence of the Union is put in jeopardy, We
ball find occasion to appeal on all these points
pm the hasty action of the peoples representatives
the sober cond-thought of the people them
lives. But we fondly hope that enlightened and
fudent men may direct the proceedings Of our
embers; that the threatened tempest may pass
yer as harmless as summer shower and that
be appalling crisis which many imagine to exist,
bay only mark an epoch to which posterity shall
,oint as the time when men were frightened with
tlt cause, and clustered without knowing exactly
therefore.
The ONO MURDRR.--The story of the murder