The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-23
General Tayicr's Message upon California
ma the Slavery Question.

ana upon that question, as connected with the new
territories, embracing his views upon California
and New Mexico. The message is written with
great calmness and contenment. II is simple in
language, clear in expression, without unnecessary
fuss or afectauon Of magnhoquence Although
It's tone aud language may seem little more am
bilious than that of the annual message yet there
is nothing IN II beyond that degree OF fmness and
nerve which was to he expected at such a crisis
as the present day has brought forth IN the do
mesuc history of the United States
One very interesting and remarkable feature of
tie message, is that Of an almost exact coinc-
dence upon the slavery question, with the views
heretofore adopted by General Clss, and put forth
by hum when candidate for the Presidency.
Another very singular coincidence, also, Is, that
General Taylor, the successful candidate for the
Presidency at the last election, should present his
views upon this important question, to the House
Of Representatives at one end of the Capitol, while
General Cas-, his antagonist in the same election,
and defeated in that contest, should at the other
end of the Capitol, vz.:-in the Senate chamber
be delivering his views the same questions,
on The same day, and almost in the same
strain hls more successful rival. The
position, policy, and principles thus presented
10 both houses at one and the same
time, will command a great deal Of attention
throughout the country, and particularly among
the anti-slavery factions in the North, as well
as the ultra parties OF the South. According to
his Developments, the President nd his admins
tration are clearly in favor Of admitting California
as State INTO the Union, atonce, with such views
upon involuntary seryitude, slavery as the peo-
pie of that territory may settle in their own consti-
tuition. The President also declares his belief that
Congress ought to abstain from legislation or.
gaming the new territories as territorial GO
vernments, until such a time as they can
count population enough TO enable them TO
form a State constitution for themselves, and
then to ask for admission into the Union.
Under this policy, il is thought by many that the
President would veto any mere territorial bill for
New Mexico, should the Wllmot proviso be at
tached TO it, Now, it happens to be well known,
or, at least, understood, that had General Cass
been elected TO the Presidency, he would have Ia
Len nearly the same ground, aud pursued the same
policy. We therefore are presented with the
singular spectacle OF the two leaders OF the two
great parties of the Union compelled under the
compromise OF the constitution and by a regard for
the integrity Of the Union, TO take almost the same
ground IN practice, and the same views of public
policy, the only practical and sound acton by
which TO bring thls great country out Of the diff
Gully m which it has been involved by the ultra
views Of all sections.
But the inquiry arises, what will be the resul.
Of the policy recommended By General Taylor and
how far Will bo.h parties in Congress adopt his
views IL is evident, at the first blush, that the
moderate and conservative views of General Tdy-
lor-which we conceive to Be the same. pracli-
cally. as those disclosed by General CAss-wil by
mo- means satisfy many OF the Southern ultras, and
81. Mill oil
uonal excitement and agitation among the anti
slavery factions Of the North, as long as the quss-
Ton remains open by the postpunem,nt of legis-
lutjon upon all the disputed points. Possibly,
as the administration is in minority in both
houses the opposition in Congress. counting
n majority Of either branch. may be able to
pass a territorial bin for New Mexico with
the Wilmoi proyiso attached TO IL, for the ex-
press purpose If putting the question directly the
President, aud provoking either his signature or
HE veto TO the bill. Oar o~n impression Is, that
in such case, General Taylor, considering all his
associations, and purposes, and feelings, compos-
ing his general character, would veto such law az
once. The policy, iher, fore, Of his friends Con-
gress, and especially the Northern portion OF them,
would be 10 prevent such legislation az would pro-
woke him to that step Bat whether. GA the other
hand, IL will be possible TO accomplish delay till
New Mexico shall have a sufficient population 10
ash for admission into the Union, time alone can
tell
In relation to California, the chances are that
that state will be admitted into the Union with the
constitution which che has adopted for her govern
mtnt There may probably be some changes made
By Congress in her boundaries but no change will
be made sufficient to jeopardze her admission into
the Union, before the termination Of the present
session. Ii otherwise, the consequences would
be as fatal, in one respect, az it would be
to leave the whole question still open. Cali
fornia possesses a sufficient population, capa-
bic Of understanding their position, and
IL Congress should refuse TO admit her, they
would set up an independent government on the
Pacific for themselves and MAINTAIN It against all
ODDS and all opposition, from any quarter. But
while we thisk California ought TO be admitted,
we doubt whether the State OF Deserei, which has
been taken possession Of by the Mormons, with a
constitution Ct her own construction, viii receive
the same attention at Washington.
All these movements and develope ments. during
he last few days, in Congress, are exceedingly in
ieresiing and viii lead deeply important results
We do not see, IN the policy disclosed by the Pre-
sident, under The advice Of his cabinet, any
prospect OF an early termination Of the anti I
slavery agitation at this time. Ills policy is /
delay, inactivity, posiponement-until the new
territories shall have a sufficient pooul,,ion 10
demand admission into the Union az s,a,ss
Dunng this delay, in order to avoid forcing
the President to sign or to veto the wilmot p-o.
viso, the general agitation viii 60 on in all the
elecuons in the Northern States, famed and tx. |
cited as they will be by the agitation Of ihe anti
slavery and free soil leaders. prolong alton Of
the question is prolongation Of agitation North
and Souih. Under this egitsuon the old PARTIES
wings and locotocosso far az relates to natioaal
cton. will be completely disorganized aud de-
United. The neat Congregational elections will
therefore present a new phase in AneIiein
politics; that IL, breaking uP Of the ougi.
nal parties which have governed The county
tor the latt quarter Of century, and the adcp.
ton Of some new system, or some new mod. |