The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-26


stitution was finally, but reluctantly, acquiesced
in. The South has, far, with few exceptions.
enjoyed the full benefit ofthe representation secured
by it, without having been called upon to pay direct
taxes towards the support Of the Government As
time rolled on, and the productions of the South
have increased in value, so also have the number
and value Of her slaves; and with both, her infiu
ence in the Union and in the halls of legislation
Always united where her interest is concerned,
with able and far seeing statesmen in the Lead she
she has divided the North, whose interests are
various, and whose political divisions have, at all
times, greatly aided her efforts in this stf ady pur
pose. Hence new Territories have been acquired,
whose climate, soil, and production, are favorable
to slave labor. Hence her ascendency in the Sem
ate has been carefully guarded and preserved The
acquisition of Louisiana and of Florida, the annex
alton of Texas, the with Mexico, each and ALL
are the result of the influence and policy Of the
South. The peace with Mexico has given to us
other territory of great extent the climate and soil
Of which are, in many parts, well adapted to the la
Dor of slaves. The management Of this new prop
erty of the nation, the admission of California,
which forms part of it, and the policy which shall
be pursued towards New Mexico and Utah, are now
the subjects for deberaton and settlement
The South demands, as due to her rights and
honor, to carry slaves into those Territories or at
least that no limitation should be placed by Con-
gress on her rights in this respect The North
sists this claim the part of the South, the ter
ritory is free by the Mexican laws. and should not
be allowed to change that condition. The North
| resists the extension of slavery upon various
grounds-that the power of nation to put down
insurrection and repel invasion is weakened by the
extension Of slavery; that the moral sentiment of
the people of many of the States is opposed to it, that
the political and Legislative power of the country
have been controlled and made tributary to its in
uence; that there limits, besides within which
federal system must stop. and for the preserva
ton OF which We must diligently plant and cherish
the principles of liberty in the new States which
may be formed without our ancient limits Upon
principles of public policy, the North ia opposed to
the extension Of slavery and as its varied labor is
bv he of in
united vote of great section of this country is
often found in opposition to the protection OF its
labor and industry, in interest too the North is op
posed to the extension of slavery.
Since the admission of the State of Missouri
long repose has prevailed on the subject Of slavery.
Then the full power of Congress over Territories
and new States distinctly affirmed and yindi-
cated-then for the first time, was the admission Of
new States considered and treated question Of
political power. Missouri was Admitted, and
great principle of freedom was compromised and
limited by degrees Of latitude; but the power OF
Congress- s complete power to accept or refuse the
admission Of a new State except upon such condi-
tions it might prescribe, nevertheless there
by affirmed. As Congress alone may admit new
States, Congress therefore may prescribe the terms
upon which their admission may be made; and may
in her wisdom require, condition of their being
received that slavery shall be forever excluded If
the State consents, her people are bound, In good
faith and honor, upon which all compacts rest and
by which the obligations of treaties enforced 10
abide by the same. Such was the nature OF the
| compact between the original thirteen States and
the people and States of the northwestern terrific
ry-forever 10 remain inviolable except by common
consent-called the ordinance Of 1887.
Missouri a part of Louisiana, in which slave
ry existed at the time of it's cession to the United
States. Yet did Congress affirm the power TO re-
strict slavery from all parts Of the said province
| lying north of SO 30 and not included in Mis-
souri, and. il north of that line Of latitude, could
have and would have within Missouri ITSELF except
for the compromise.
Now what is asked by the free States1 Not that
slavery shall be excluded from Territories where il
exists but forever To close those where il does not
exist, but where it is. by the Mexican law. prohibit
ed against its introduction-a far less exercise Of
| the power vested in Congress than was claimed
| and carried out in the admission Of Missouri. The
compromise in that case sternly resisted by
the free Statesj but, il prevailed by the accus-
toned course OF legislation, IL was then and has
since been acquiesced in as far as IL went. The re-
cent acquisitions from Mexico and the declared
purpose on the part Of the South 10 go there with
their slaves, have again reused the people OF the
free States To prevent, II they could by the action
Of the national legislature, the establishment OF
slavery in those Territories This 10 now the issue.
The free States have, with great unAnimty, de-
ciared against the extension OF slavery 10 these new
| and distant regions.
We are told that. to the South, this question is
| one in which they not only feel the deepest in
terest, and have equal claims, but that II is aso
with them a point Of honor can aud will respect
point Of honor, but against it, in this instance,
place one Of principles which should yieldr Va
difficulties in which the acquisition Of these Terri
| tories have involved California has decided
for herself, and asks for admission. The President
recommends that should receive her she pre-
sents herself and that We leave 10 time and the de-
| csion Of the people of New Mexico when aud In
what manner they may ask for admission
State. distinguished statesman In the other
branch has proposed n compromise, adjustment
IL 10 called Of these and other questions growing
out Of the annexation Of Texas and her claim 20
the greater part Of New Mexico, embracing, also,
other questions IN which slavery aad !s regulations
are concerned. We are told by him that the coun-
try Is bleeding from many wounds; that the plan
he proposes will staunch the blood, and bring heal
ing in its provisions; that the recommendation Of
the President s incomplete because Il provides no
remedy, no cure, for all there wounds that the
| case is one Of imminent peril and that he pro.
poses the specific WHICH wall afford general and
permanent relief
still animates the veteran and patriot staiesman
who boldly proposes, and ably defends, his plan
against that Of the President, and against ali im.
portant amendments, come they from whence they
may; while ackDowledge my unfeigned respect
for him, and my high estimate Of his long and dis
tipguisbed public sarvcc; yet am bound in equal
frankncss 20 declare, that prefer the recommend
ation Of the President the bill Of corupromse re-
ported by him 10 the Senate The matters 10 which
they both refer demand a settlement at hands;
those which relate 10 the admission
not admit, with safety, Of much longer delay. How
shall this be accomplished The plan of the Sen
ljects; some % which demand immediate, others a
more deliberate examination and decision; and
none have any necessary connexion with the sd-
mission Of California the great object and desire Of
vast majority Of the American people. We ase told
the country suffers from the state Of ia public and
domestic aairsJ that we have treaty obligations "
fulfil with Mesico, and with the people who have
elected 10 become citizens Of the United SIaes aud
that the civil power should replscein New Mexico the
authority which now protect the people, and guards
the frontiers Qf that Territory. We are told slso,
that the boundaries OF New Mexico be preserved
and maintained by the payment Of large sum Of
money 10 Texas; that further protection must be
given 10 the master, TO enable him 10 claim his fu-
tive slave, and that the slave trade in the District
Of Columbia should be abolished These are the va
rious and dissimilsr SUBJECTS With which the adms-
sion Of California 10 sought 10 be indssoluhly con-
nccted II saw despair and doubt in The public
mind-ifI could perceive the bleeding wounds in
the body politc-i night hesitate and doubt about
The coVrse to be pursued; but when behold, in
every section Of this great republic, health repose
prosperity, and hope, hook with renewed conf
dence 90 the pilot at the helm, and in him, and IN
his counsel believe that there is safety.
The accommodation, then, Of the President car
rice with IL at once the authority and weight which
his station and cops,tutionai duty necessarily i'm
part 10 II, Above the reach Of those influences
4 49, - -