The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-28
THE PRESIDENTS PRINCIPLE OF
ADJUSTMENT.
From the Ne,0 York Courier and Enquirer.


ADJUSTMENT.
From the Ne,D York Courier and Enquirer.
METAPHORS, like every thing else, have legti-
mate use. They are valuable when employed to
illustrate an argument; to make more clear the
process of reasoning, more impressive the re-
suits arrived at But when used as substitutes for
argument, they are deceptive and mischevous.
The mind is msled by the analogies they assume,
and the Judgment is betrayed by false symPathies
thus created, into conclusions the most unjust and
untrue. philosophical writer has therefore re-
marked that logicians may reason through meta
phors, but disclaimers only reason by them.
In our judgment, there is defect of this kind in
the eloquent and able speech OF Mr.. Clay, which
we published yesterday In his attack upon the
policy of the Wing administration, which is much
the most formidable to which that policy has yet
been exposed, Mr. Clay says:
sWhat is the plan of the President? In the first
place. Mr.. President. let say that it is most ap-
parent that every friend of his country must be
anxious that all our difficulties should be settled that
we may once more restore concord and harmony to
this country. Now, what is the plan of the Presi-
dent? will describe it by simle, in way which
will not be easily misunderstood. Here are five
mountaineering, and threatening destruction to
the country. What is the plan of the Prcsidenf
it is heal only of the five, and leave the other
four bleeding, even if it produces death itself.
say five wounds bleeding: there is California,
the first: there the Territories the second; there
is the question Of the boundary Of Texas, the third;
there is the fugitive slave bill, the fourth there is
the question of slavery in the District of Columbia,
the fifth The President proposes-instead of plan
comprehending all the diseases of the country-a
plan which looks only at one and recommended
is true the recommendation does not embrace the
fugitive slave bill, the District bill-but he
commends the two others to remain untouched, to
themselves by some law of nature, some
operation which he does not deign to disclose.
al have seen, with surprise and regret persistence
for so ! am compelled, painfully, to regard it,
from the Chief Magistrate of the country, in his
own peculiar plan. think, in a spirit of compro-
mise, the President ought TO have come to us, and
not we to him.
The metaphor by which MIR. Clay exposes at
once the deporable condition of the country and
the weakness of the Presidents policy is forcible
and impressive. 1t touches, by striking and ia.
miliar appeal, the patriosm-that deep seated re-
gard for the health and rnony, for the well being
of the country, which pervades the breast of every
American, BUTT seems to extravagant and de-
ceptive. II assumes a state of facts which has no
existence, in order TO vindcate particular policy
which nothing but the facts assumed could
justify. II declares that there foe wounds, all
of which must be healed at once, If life would be pre-
served-in other words that there five distinct
controversies between the North and South, all Of
which must be settled at once, and by single set
Of measures the Union will be dssolv ed. Unless
this is assumed, the metaphor has no force IL one
of those wounds could safely be left untouched then
il is not absolutely necessary that all should be
cured at once.
Now, will any one say that the Union depends
upon such an adjustment of all these controverted
topics! Does any dream for a moment that
there would be danger to the country in neglectng
TO pass any bill for rccapturing fugitive slaves
Has the North ever threatened TO dissolve the Union
unless the slave trade I'm the District of Columbia is
abolished? There has never before been hint Of
such imminent peril from either of these sources.
Twoofthese "wounds" therefore have been "gaping
and bleeding for half century, and yet the Union
has been growing stronger ali the while. They
certainly may safely be set aside. The boundary
between Texas and New Mexico ought TO be adj
justed; but we do not see how that can be called
wound" to be healed in connexion with others. IL
is question of law and of fact-a matter TO be de-
cided upon evidence and by topography. Or if il
be deemed cxpedient to settle it upon other grounds
it becomes a matter of bargain and sale. Texas
claims land in New Mexico the Federal Govern
ment deems IL desirable 10 compromise the matter;
all that is requisite is for the Government to say TO
Texas for hoo much money will you relinquish that
claim? This heals that wound. II has no necessary
connection with any other subject, should it be
forced into any such connexion.
Here three of the five wounds" out of the
way Not one Of those three Is of such nature
to peril the life welfare Of the country, even II it
be not settled instantly, and in particular way.
What Is there Left Two things-the admission of
California and the government of the Territories
These are the only two "wounds" which require
surgery. Wherein are they dangerouss If Cali
fornia Is admitted, will be Union be dissolved Cal
ifornia has framed n constitution, and applied for
admission, in precisely the way marked out by
Mr. Calhoun and the South. Upon their own show
ing, she s entitled TO instant and unconditional adj
mission. II she is rejected, her people may with.
draw their request and set up government for
themselves. The Union is in danger, then, only
in California is not admitted. General Tay-
lor proposes 10 admit her. and thus that wound will
be healed. Mr.. Clay himself admits that the Pre-
sidenps plan would cure that wound very effectu-
ally.
II this analysis, then, be just, there remains but
one source OF disquiet. The territorial "wound' is
the only one from which the country has any thing
do not touch the case. They can be safely left out
Of the question altogether, until more pressing mat
tcrs have been attended to. All that is left relates
to the Territories. And upon that point Mr.. Clays
smile assumes that the President proposes nothing
at all The simile, in judgment, is entirely
mistaken. What Is the precise point i'm contro-
versys The North insists upon positive legislation,
preei,ding slavery. The South insists upon posi-
tive legislation, recognising slavery, either in terms
or by silence. Here Is the wound" General
Taylor recommends that Congress let the matter
entirely alone, and eape the people hemseices to le-
gislate upon the matter to suit themselves. Gen
eral Taylor does "deign to disclose" the operation
by which the evil will be cured. He proposes resort
to the fundamental principle of repubicanism--the
right of the people to govern themselves. In this
he takes ground concident exactly with that of the
South in lS47, when Mr.. Calhoun asserted the
right Of the inhabitants OF the Territories 10 Just
such sefgovernment as the President proposes to
give them. Is this doing nothingl Ia there In this
no remedy for the eviR Is there any man, any
party, or any section, which Justly complain
Of this policy Does II violate the rights, disrc
gard the interests of any sectionl And IL not the
principle upon which il Is based which gives TO Il
vitality and strength-the principle that the people
Of every community have right TO make their