The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-04
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
SUNDAY MORNING, FEB. 4, ,s4s.
The Territorial Question.

The Territorial Question.
AS the time for the adjournment of Congress ap-
proaches there increased anxiety to see the terri
torial question settled upon just and equitable terms.
The conflicts between the North and the South, while
they have excited the public mind have elected the fears
of calm and sagacious Indeed the danger be
apparent to all who reflect upon the present posture of
afhrss for, unless this topic is removed at from
the councils of the nation, the public excitement which is
now portentous must be increased in force and in
tensity When the question of slavery shall enter
controlling element in the congressional electonsas it
must do, if the present session closes without decisive
and final actonno tell what bitterness Of feel
ing may be engendered by opposing candidates in The
different portions OF the Union One thing. howeyer, is
certain the candidates for popular favor both in the North
and in the South will be forced to take the position Of the
most violent and incorporating in their respective
secons and the members of the next Congress will
come to the national councils feered by pledges fatal
to any scheme of compromise adj ustment The issue
will then immediate and direct between the North
and the South under circumstances which will forbid
either party to yield TO that spirit of amy and
good feeling which cannot be entirely driven from among
u.s. No man can have higher opinion OF the virtue
and intelligence OF the people of great country than
we have, and no one relies more implicitly than we do
their good sense and discriminating justice. In many
times of difficulty and embarrassment we have looked TO
the people with firm and abiding belief, that they would
still the conflict which their servants had produced In
times of disaster look to them and that "the appeal
unto Cesar" which make with confidence. But
he is base sycophan low demagogue who pretends
not TO that the popular mind is sometimes swayed by
feeling and the hearts of the people sometimes heated by
passion Artful and designing men, at least, know this
fact and act upon it, reckless of the consequence which
may Now there is great question at issue, and
subject before the country fruitful of excitement The
presidential contest is but just decided, and evosh
anxiety to know the policy of the next administration
pervades every breast The views which will take OF
the territorial question is matter of the deepest
all and say the least they shrouded in mystery
In this aspect of affairs, cannot feel surprised that the
different portions Of the wing party should endeavor to
give and character TO Gen. Taylors administration
the question of slavery Who will triumph, remains to
be seen. For ourselves not willing TO leave this
great and exciting subject to be determined by the hazard
of the die And if humble voice were needed, it
would be settled at once and without delay. 1t is too
momenous--too pregnant of evil consequences-to be
left in doubt bone of contention to breed bitterness
and produce hostility between the great sections of this
Confederacy
The people OF the North with some noble exceptions,
say that Congress should prohibit slavery New Mexico
and California. The people of the South cannot and
will not consent that this shall be done The South
denies that Congress has any jurisdiction the sub
ect of slavery and contends that the people of the terri
les alone, when they frame constitution, preparatory
10 admission into the Union, have right to speak and
be heard on that matter. This fact being settled, it
really to that this exciting question might be
speedily adjusted, if calm counsels prevail The South
contends for her honor and for the great principles of
non Intervention and State equality Why then, cannot
all unite and permit California to into the Union
soon she frame constitution Then, according
to the doctrines which prevail on both sides of Mason
and Dixon's line, she may consutionaly establish her
domestic institutions any basis consistent with repub-
Iican principles The South could lose nothing by adopt
ing this On the contrary, she would save all for
which she contends. The act authorizing the
ton to frame for California would be silent
on the subject of slavery and the rights of the slave
holder would not be trampled on, would his feelings
be outraged By this principle of constitutional
construction would be violated, for question OF
stitutionay would be in issue. Nor would the rights
of the South of the North be compromised for neither
would be involved No wrong precedent would be
tabished and evil consequences would result from
such a course.
There other than those already stated for
immediate action California is rapidly filling up with
emigrants not only from country, but from all
quarters of the globe. Brazil the Sandwich islands, the
Russian possessions, Ireland, and Engand'-a fit
ting expeditions to that country; and in that country
there is no law protect life property 1t will be
crowded with Adventures, and among the respectable
there will be Iayless and violent men men ready to
commit any crime for the sake of the gold which has thus
allured them far The sober and the industrious will
succeed in amassng fortunes, and instantly they will be-
come shining marks for the assassn's steel Companies
coming from different countries must of necessity enter
into rivalry hostility will be engendered and under their
shelter individual lawessness will do its work No Of
common humanity for his fellow man, contemplate
without horror the inevitable consequences OF such state
of things And who, let ask, are they who would be
THE emigration from England is already considerable.
The London Times of the 10th January sayss
"By this time half Of the adventurous youth Of Western
merica is its the new land OF gold dust The
stud the desert OF the Rocky mountains
doned for golden sands and of the Sacramento
Nor the greed for rapid wealth confined to the enter
sing of the continent which has witnessed
and stimulated its growth The injection has spread,
panes are forming with sangune calculations OF per
cent profits and Individuals who cannot brook the
troll OF directorate the doubtful fortunes Of associa
ton are manning small schooners the Pacific in
nrobaby win ever be- The vision of sudden opuence out
ahines distant of slow and stubborn