The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-11
From the Buffalo Express.
The great Question.

II seems To as that the time has arrived when
moderate, calm rejecting, patriotic men, the eoun
try over, should unite in effort to compose the
public mind, and alay the excitement and tumult
which has been so strangely produced by the SIMS
ter movements OF the fanatics in the South and in
the North. We do not conceive il 10 be either ne
cessary or wise TO enter into calculation OF the
causes which have led to the present unhappy state
Of things. 1t is sufficient to say that there have
been grave faults ON both sides; and II Is in bad
taste, and productive Of good consequences, for
either section TO reproach the other We must look
at matters in their subsistng condition, and then
suggest what seems to most likely TO conduce to
their improvement.
few years ago man in his spoke
openly Of dissolution OF the Union. II was for
hidden subject-a matter not to be approached--a
monstrosity--a thing not to be Contemplated; and
a man who should have preached the idea seriously
would bavebecn branded traitor or a fanatic.
Now it is the perpetual topic of discussion in both
Houses of Congress This change is circumstance
OF dircfu portent for the perpetuity OF the Union.
We do not think the danger OF a dissolution great
or imminent We deem it scarcely possible that
we to verify the predictions of our enemies in
the Old World, that this glorious confederacy of
independent sovereigntics is prematurely to crum-
Bile in pieces and thus blast the airest hopes of the
friends of freedom throughout the world. But it is
not to be denied that the cool, indifferent manner
in which the unrcfecting Hotspurs of the South
permitted by the majority in Congress to discuss
the pecuniary value Of the Union, is producing in
furious consequences in every section of the
try. Mems minds get familiarized with the proba-
bility of such result. We all talk Of it, as though
it might be; and we find ourselves estimating the
consequences of separation, and looking TO see
who is likely to be most damaged by the explosion
This is all wrong, and tends to weaken the hga-
mcnts which bind us together
Assuming all these facts to be conceded and we'll
understood, the question arises what is the best
mode of extrcating the country from its position of
embarrassment and peril II strikes US that the
plan suggested by General Taylor, in his Califor-
mia message, is the most practicable, well the
wisest, which has yet been promulgated. BY car
rying out his ideas we secure the exclusion of sa
very from all the Territories free, and this,
too, without furnishing any just cause of offence to
the most sensitive stakeholder. No patriotic north
ern man can desire to force the adoption of mea-
sures upon Congress which must wound the pride
Of the South, when no practical consequences can
follow therefrom. The harmony of the Union is of
too much importance to be put at hazard by mere
abstraction-a humbug of no force application.
In resisting the extension of slavery we dis
charging solemn duty, which we may not evade
or disregard. We are to maintain our position in
this regard unalterably, but in doing must
avoid every thing tending to irritatc and provoke
the South which is not Indispensable to the attain
ment of the great object in view
1t is unnecessary for US to enter into enumera-
ton Of the details of the scheme proposed by General
Taylor. Our readers familiar with all its pro-
visions. If they have considered them carefully.
in spirit of candor and impartiality, we presume
they have come to the conclusion at which we have
arrived.