The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-22

WAsHINoros, Jan. II 1850.
Ib The Edifors of the dLbanu Epeninx Journal.

Of the It'll inst, communication dated at Wash
ington, January 8, in which there occurs the fol-
lowing passage: tAt sga
"You have probably observed that three Wing
members from New York voted for laying Bolts
resolution on the table, II is believed and hoped
that two Of them Mr.. Duer and Mr.. Ciark) will
vote for the resolution when it comes again before
the House. Whether MIR. Brooks will vote for il is
somewhat more doubtful. II would be subject Of
deep regret and serious infection upon the Wing
party, il even one Wing representative should be
found in a position that could in the remotest de-
gree contribute to the defeat Of the Wmot proviso
principle, and give aid and comfort TO the slave
propagandists in the desperate struggle they are
Empire State, nearly one-t third of the whole Wing
strength in the House, should be found coming
up in unbrokcn phalanx against any more
slavery"
have seen several misrepresentation Of the vote
referred to (Which suppose to be that given on a
resolution offered by Mr.. Root, of Oho) In journals
unfricndy to the present Administration, without
thinking i Necessary 70 defend myself ny, against at
TO remain silent when the columns Of Wing news
paper are employed for similar purpose
II the editors of the Ecening Journal had be-
ton, and if letter addressed by to the editors
Of the Washington Republic and republished in the
New York Tribune and other newspapers in the
State of New York had fallen under their observa-
ton, do not believe that they would have given
currency toa charge or insinuaton that had given
I" aid and comfort to the slave propagandists,'' or
that was likely, by future action, to contribute TO
the defeat Of the Wilmot proviso principle" The
resolution Of Mr.. Root comprehcnded two things I:
first, the immediate establishment of territorial
governments in that part Of the recently acquired
territory the United States lying east Of the Sierra
Nevada; and, secondly, the prohibition Of slavery
in such territories These propositions entirely
distinct, and depend upon very different considera-
tons. OF the latter ! am in favor, as (somewhat
superfuously to those who knew me) stated in the
letter referred to- To the latter that is to the i'm
mediate establishment Of territorial governments,
lam opposed.
Your correspondent might easily have obtained
information that would have saved him unneces-
sary alarm as to the existence of any division
among the Wing members from New York, upon
the question of prohibiting slavery in the terrific
ries. There is no difference Of opinion among
them upon that question. 1t is my belief that
every Wing member from the North will vote for
the Wilmot proviso. But it is not, so far as my
observation extends, among Wings that the pro-
position for the immediate establishment of terri
torial governments finds most favor. II had its
origin in one branch of Congress, with a Demo
cratic Senator from the South; it was pressed in
the other, by gentleman from the North, equally
unfriendly, though for opposite reasons, to the
present Administration. II is point of union of
extreme Southern men on the one side, and the
''Free- Sellers" on the other There is the same
omnous conjunction in its favor that took place,
earlier N the session, upon the name of Mr.. Will
liam J. Brown, and of which shall probably wit
ness more than one example before the adjourn
ment Of Congress. err, however, if to urge this
friendship to the Administration, or opposition to
it censured as s'serious infection upon the Wing
party" lam happy in the belief that in condemn-
ing the movement of Mr.. Root, as ill-timed and
mischievous, have the very general concurrence
Of the Wing members of Congress; and my oppor-
tunities of knowledge upon this point are perhaps
equal 70 those of your correspondent. OF this SEN
timent there is an indication in the fact that the
resolution not adopted, but that the House ad-
journed, by strong vote, Immediately after refus-
ing to lay it upon the table, If the motion for the
previous question had been put It is my impression
thatit would not have been seconded with any
traordinary alacrty by the Wing side of the House.
In short, the movement is not Wing movement,
nor regarded with favor by Wings. For myself,
chose to manifest my resistance to 1t in the most
emphatic and unambiguous form. $40
Let me consider, for a moment, what it is that
we were invited to do. The resolution Of Mr.. Root
embraces New Mexico and what is known as Desc
ret. The people Of Dcseret have formed Gas it Is
said) constitution, and ask admission into the
Union as a State. To the admission of California
under similar circumstances, Mr.. Root apparently
makes objection. Whatever may be done with
respect to Deserct her petition should be received
and respectfully considered am not prepared,
without information, without discussion, TO impose
upon her, against her wishes, territorial govern.
ment II is not alleged that there IL any urgent
reason why her application should not take the or
binary course and be considered by a committee
With respectto New Mexico, the President of the
United States gives the following information in
his annual message: sThe people of New Mexico
will also, il is believed, at no very distant period
present themselves for admission into the Union"
And in the exercise of constitutional duty he ad
vses Congress- "by awaiting their action, all causes
of uneasincss may be avoided, and confidence and
kind feeling preserved" lam not prepared, on
the lead Of political opponent to treat this advice
with such marked disrespect, not, at least, TO
wait until il has received the ordinary courtesy ola
reference TO a committee. ] have not heard IL
spoken Of as ga serious inhcfion upon the Wing
party" nor do believe that IL merits that censure
Il seems TO me wise and patriotic. The known
r. A.
people of New Mexico, where slavery is now pro-
hibited by law clearly indicate what their action
will be on that question; and IL even the universal
expectation should be disappointed, Congress will
have lost of ita powers will any prejudice
have been sustained by the delay. may add, what
have said elsewhere, that should the people of New
Mexico, upon mature elaboration, prefer the alter
native Of admission State 10 that Of territorial
government il is serious question whether to deny
them that privilege, with their actual population,
would not be an Infringement Of the spirit of our
treaty with Mexico, as well departure from the
uniform practice of the Government, and violation
of what has been regarded a common right Of
American citizens Such, at least, are arguments
which may be urged in favor Of the admission Of
California, and we should be careful not TO weaken
their force
Il merits consideration whether, before we esta-
blish regular territorial government in New
Mexico, IL may not be well 70 ascertain what New
Mexico H.. Under the Joint resolutions of annex
ation Texas, tits well known claims the greater
| part Of what was known as New Mexico under the
Mexican government It's a common but never
theless palpablc 10 suppose that this claim
| can be adjudicated by Congress. Congress may
indeed give, but cannot take away from Texas,
any thing that Is hers. The resolutions Of annexa-
ton, though anomalous in their character, are in
the nature Of a treaty, and are, from necessity,
irrcpeaIable. For IL rcpcaabe in part, they must
be 10 in whole, and thus Texas, by act Of Congress-
/ might be put out Of the Union. Texas has the
| rights of every other State, md Congress cannot
curtsil her rightful boundaries. The question is
~