The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-19

WAsuINoTos, I'd. C. j Nav IS, IS


GENTLEMEN: In your paper Of this morning fad
letter which, because OF its special reference 10 myal
and still more because OF the source from which il emf
nales claims from me notice For this purpose a
the use OF your columns that the reply and The CORES
pondence to which il relates may go the public thoug
the same channel refer to the letter Of the Hon. Rss
j. Walker, whose name and fame are closely and homo
ably associated with the constituency represent a
whose opinions are OF high authority Throughout o.
whole country.
To all that is beautifully and forcbly said-uh
OF constitutional Uniono every appeal to fral
nal feeling TO mutual forbearance and concesson-nd
heart responds promptly and fully than my owl
But my judgment has at the point where he commence
called .compromise bp' now under discussion IN 4,
United States Senate. The constitution Of the Uai
States, and the will OF my constituents. are lights "
which endeayoI sooeriy and consc,ennousy el
my duty TO act. These are concentrated 10 bum|
ing brilliancy upon the question OF the equal rigid
OF the South as OF the North TO possess and eno}
the territory belonging TO the States OF the Uniol
and with every species OF property TO migrate 10 H. with
out any discrimination injurious the one or favoab
to the other. Has this been enjoyed in California; Is Il
now secured? II not, in what consists the compromx
which, il is said characterzes Union, and is markg
on constitution from the appeal of Franklin iayr
OF conference and concession 10 the close q Madiso9
constitution OF our Union!
am told that the Union is in danger, and am caa
10 the rescue That SUMMONS has been long since n
ceved from other quarters, and answered in the spirit
cession. Time and again have announced, that cosd
this conflict OF irreconcable opinion. was willing adj
here TO the compromise line which, by the acquescenc
give, and leaving to each all which pride oil opinion cou
not yeldto divide the territory between the rival claim
ants, by extending the old line Of the Missouri and Texas
promise had unequivocay operated against the South
now for the FIRST time, it two sided question, and 10
the North reject il Who. then, displays uncompronis
ing, ultra selfish temper in this controversy Who
min he fufio all
promises, limitations, and guarantees, best conduces
its perpetuityhe who resolutey maintains the equally
OF the States and OF the rights. and privileges. and mmu
mites oil all the citizens thereof, he who surrenden
the aggressive spirit OF section
Together with other southern senator's, have sougt
to amend the BILL and strip il of those features which
vloatve OF that constitutional equality. have not fou
any evidence OF that much lauded sprit OF compromise
the provisions OF the bill, and, II il pass without ma
nal amendments, can anticipate only evil as its ultimate
result Under such convictions. and when, Of !
minority, was struggling for what believe to be essen
nal TO the Union, and necessary 10 those whom limme
aely represent il with common regret that saw
one, so long respected and much admired, throw BIZ
name into the scale against u.s. coming forward vol
uneer support, by his potential influence the bill
Is. Nay, more he nvokes to his aid the OF our s
menteL friend. the late President OF the United States
answer 70 The suppos,aSSn that Mr. Polk would nas.
from the special message OF that statesman in relation %
the Oregon territorial bill.
After referring TO the Missouri compromise and ds
Us
newa OF the compromise applied to Texas, he says
The Territory Of Oregon lies far north OF thir'ysx der
thirty minuies-the Missouri and Texas compromseh Inc
the intermediates distance to be three hundred and hI
geographical miles And is because the provisions Of M
6l inconsistent win lie laws OF the Missouri
PROMISE IL extended from the Rio Grande The Pseih
ocean, that have felt liberty withhold my sane
uon Had IL embraced Territoes south OF thai comp
mise, the question presented for my consideration wcad
have been II far dren character. and my action up
IL must have corsespouded with NV convictions
--ln Il.
organized provisional government. ana in their iund
mental law excluded slavery. Congress organized u
rioral government out OF this provisional govcrnm,a
and gave. validity TO their iaws-lhus. indirectly
through the agency OF the provisional government q
Oregon, prohibiting slavery an that territory. This re-
ceved the executive sanction will be seen BY the
tract above, and from other parts of the message
because u did no, violate the Missouri and Texas CON
promise.
The people OF California have, without authority from
Congress, organized government, formed constitution
and enacted laws they have prohibited slavery, and he
prohibon applies TO the country south OF 81 degrees
minutes and the question presented is OF thai dr.
erent character which told by the late President
would have required from him aderen action from that
OF the Oregon hill.
have elsewhere explained, when il was questioned,
the understanding | had OF the Presidents motive is
signing that Oregon bill, though | never approved ~
decision honored the motive, as il was stated TO ~
by which be was prompted, and have endeayorea
=" save his administration from the obloquy" whiche
enemies have sought TO attach to the act
Readily admitting the more thorough acquainlano
with the views and opinions OF the late President when
Mr. Walker possesses II only remains to TO bore maj
upon reconsideration he will abandon the supposon maj
Mr. Polk would have signed snch bill ms this we nov !
have under consideration II | wrong in the bea
that he would have maintained against any and all inia
ences the spirit OF the Missouri compromise, then hare
been wrong in The only defence have ever found 10 any
degree acceptable 10 the democracy OF Mississippi, whea
have opposed the censnre WHICH many bestowed apOa
his sanction OF the Oregon territorial bill II was pa
my Intention 10 discuss tue merits OF Mr. Cay's bill mg
may have to do 10 my place as seuatorS Herr
wished only TO reply To an appeal made as TO put W.
in false position. and made by one against who's
authority II Is to me disagreeable TO be opposed
Very truly, your friend,