The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-13
WASHINGTON, ID. C.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 10, 1919
REE-SOIL.
The Party and the Principle.


would seem more natural than to suppose
that the principle on which party was ac-
tually founded, should be the animating soul,
the very breath and existence Of the party
itself. Every body can see that the free |
soil party, SO called, is dying out-sinki e
into and voluntarily perishing in the arms Of
Locotocoism as at the late political wedding
1t Montpelier, Vermont, where two conven-
tons, representing the two parties of Abo-
liton Free Sellers and regular Old Hunker
Democrats, formally agreed upon the same
platform OF principles and then united into
one party,-the Democratic, to the utter
extinction Of the free soil organization I'll
Is the dissolution Of the party which suggests
the very natural, but very erroneous, idea of
the death Of the principle.
The real free soil principle was never
stronger than at the present moment. 1t is,
in fact, established, it is triumphant. If
the sound of advocacy be less heard, It is
because It IS no longer an argument that we
have to deal with, but a fate which we
have to consider. While Mr.. Benton;
to defend himself against the assaults of the
Calhoun branch Of the faithful, and to illu-
inmate the dark minds OF some Of the Mis-
sour Democracy, argues the constitutionality
and aihTms the wisdom and necessity Of the
Provlso or Ordinance principle-the true
free soil prlncIple-just as we have always
argued and affirmed them; every rejecting
Wing must know that events-great and
singular events, in which apious mind may
trace the RI ing finger Of Provdence--have
settled this question, and incorporated the
principle spoken Of as a part o. the future
policy and destiny Of the republic. The
election Of General Taylor, pledged to that
constitutional neutrality, the right and duty
Of President, which left the people Of the
United States to decide the issue, was ver-
dict on the side Of liberty. The discovery
Of the gold Of Californian occurrence in
all respects, as to character and consequent
ces, worthy 10 be considered an extraordi-
nary constructing torrents of free emigra-
ton to that territory, whence they will spread
to and overthrow all the Western portions Of
the continent from the ella and Colorado
nay from the frontiers Of San Louis and ia
lisco, IN Mexico--to the northernmost bounds
OF Oregon--has been decree in favor of
freedom OF more force and virtue than any
mere re-enactment of the Ordinance Of ST
could have been, These events have Sc
cured the principle end settled the question
iorever-secured the one and settled the
other, too, without any danger, or possibili-
t., OF sectional quarrel, such as the truest
and best men have appfehended as the last
fearful result Of the Mexican war.
Pe1Ple-ihundated, we might almost say
IN a moment by freemen, and by Americans,
California will be ready on the first Monday
IN Decem0er-and so, there is reason 10
believe, will New Mexico be-to knock at
the doors Of Congress for admission into the
Union as States--as free States; and who
Is there in all Congress, or all the land, to
say them navt We know what the temper
Of the people Of these two territories on the
subject Of slavery is, and we know what
provisions they have resolved to incorporate
nto their State constitutions
In this esult there is nothing with which
tie most fiery zeaots Of the most ultra slave
~ extension Southern school can quarrel
not hook on which to hang doubt or an
argument, Unless on the question of the Tex
as and New Mexico boundary, in which
the slavery question is, indeed, involved,
but IS only an Indirect and subordinate one,
on which TO be ultra were to be ridiculous
This is, IN reality, mere legal question
and, as such, It admits Of very simple and
obvious-indeed, Of one only--solution.
What freeman, in fine, can now survey
the map Of the United States-of the lands
and territories beyond the boundaries of the
thirty Understanding what is true Of the
present and perce'ving what is inevitable Of
the future, without feeling that the cause Of
freedom now enjoys, and forever after will
continue TO enjoy, great triumph, before
which slavery, as an institution, must grad
ually and quietly decay. OF the thirty States
now existing, fifteen are free and fifteen
sIaveholding. Let us ask what no,c is to be
the disposition Of the vast extent Of territory
capable Of being made the seat Of civilization
and human haPpiness' or the only two ter
rltor'es, Minnesota and Oregon, which have
been formally organized and endowed with
governments, both are free and will make
free States. California and New Mexico,
as every one now believes, will be admitted
- i'N ''t'tSo y NonHIcSS at us next StS-
sion. The projected territory Of Nebraska,
with its proposed southern boundary on the
tortleth parallel, or three and half degrees
north Of the old Missouri Compromises
prove, sooner or later, fifth free State, All
sixth free State is already growing out OF
the Mormon settlements in the valley of
Bear river and the great Salt Lake, whose
citizens are even now asking Of the republic
a territorial government. This makes it
certain that the Union will soon boast no less
than thirty-sX free States a number which
il is certain cannot be equalled by the slave
States. Where is the territory, and where
the probabilities for six new slave States
By the terms OF the joint resolutions, institute
ting the compact Of annexation, Texas is en-
titled to form four more States; and we sup
pose she will ultimately form although
i IS not, perhaps, certain they will all be