Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-02-21
MIR. CIay's Compromise.
Correspondence of the Journal Of Commerce

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Feb 3. 1850.
The interest which the public take in Mr.. Clay, his
position a conciliator and friend Of the Union
manifested to-day by The crowds that sought the Sem
a chamber TO listen TO his speech his resolutions.
Tie ladies were present in such numbers that they
were admitted upon the floor, and even within the
bar. Among the auditors were Mr.. Buchanan, and
many members of the House. Mr.. Cay's exordum
was deeply impressive and eloquent and well calcu-
lated to win the attention of his audience. His ar
gumen, us far he went, very clear and sound;
though from difficulties inseparuble from plan of
compromise, he was obliged 10 rely much upon the
power of persuasion of argument.
think that very essential obstacle TO ADJUST
ment of the Slavery question is to be removed by the
probable abandonment by the North of the policy of
the Wimot proviso. The North has got the SUBJ
sance-he actual exclusion of slavery from Cnlifor-
nia-and cannot deem ii necessary to fight for the
shadow besides. Much of the excitement and agita-
tion the subject and the chief cause of the move
ments OF the South for Southern Convention to
be found IN the pertinacious assertion by fifteen
Northern State Legislatures of the principle of the
Wilmot provso. The Northern State Legislatures
took their stand before they apprised of the fact
that California had, by her State Constitution,
cuded Slavery.
The members of the House of Representatives and
of the Senate also feel themselves relieved from
the pressure of that sentiment, in favor of direct
act Of Congress prohibiting slavery in the territories.
Therefore, II has happened that the House yesterday
refused by decided majority, to entertain the pro-
viso, introduced by Mr.. Root. 1t has therefore
happened that there is decided majority in the
Senate against the provso This obstacle TO accom-
modation being removed can insuperable
objections that either the Northern or Southern men
Gun have to Mr. Clay's plan.
In regard to the Territories which Mr. Clay pro-
poses organise, the chief difficulty will Mr..
Clay assumes the feet and declares it, that slavery
does exist by law in the territories acquired from
onAfh hat 10 ,latx- 10, ha h1rcttn
there That ii was abolished by Mexico, we know,
and that the Constitution of the u. s. carries il there,
few have undertaken TO assert. There is way in
which ii be established there, except by the laws
of the communities there existing, now rising up
and no one entertains belief that slavery will
be egazed by people whose position and pursuits
such as those of the people of Deseret and New
Mexico.
Therefore, the North might well be willing to es-
tabsh the territorial governments proposed with the
two declarations suggested by Mr. Clay, and which
10 the South almost Objectionable as the Will
mot proviso. to which. they say, they equivalent
The Northern still say that they vote for
the organization Of Territories without The declnra
tons referred to- They willing TO yield far
to accept the declaration of the non-existence of
slavery by law, instead of the Wilmot provso Here
appears to be the chief obstacle to be got rid Of Gen.
Taylors plan gets rid of it by leaving the Territories
as they are, but that leaves the question open.
But two or three modes spoken Of by which the
difficulty can be settled The most feasible is to
leave New Mexico and Deseret as they are, but to
pass laws allowing them, after certain number Of
years, and with given population, to form State
Government. and apply for admission into the Union.
Mr.. Clay spoke two hours and without proceeding
further than the resolution relative to the Texan
bounGary-whick can be settled by buying up her
claims on New Mexico.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6. 1850.
Mr.. Clay continued and concluded his great COM
promise speech to-day, and bis effort equal 10
that of his best days He made his eight PROPOSE
tons plain, that they cannot be misunderstood or
misrepresened; and think he has shown that his
scheme. take altogether is perfect for the object
in view, any that can be suggested. Still we are
to have various other propositions. and ALL far
| can learn, from the West or Southwest. II is quite
certain that the South will any reasonable
scheme and, as to the NORTH she has made the first
advance towards Cancellation, by yielding the Wilmot
proviso. Nothing remains to be done, but to admit
California she presents her Constitution; and
TO esta b>h Territorial governments for Deseret and
New Mexico ~
Mr.. Cay's assumption that slavery does not exist
by law and is not likely 10 be established, may prove
az obstacle to the success of his scheme and il
of practical effect, and only concession 10 the
prejudice or ignorance OF sume few persons at The
North, Mr. Clay is willing abandon it, and would
prefer the resolution without it, The Northern men,
bcrs, il they can vote for the territorial government
with that declaration for il without it, If
il is fact that slavery does not exist in New Mexi
co by law of Mexico nor by the force Of the Consti-
tuition Of the United States, the assertion of it, in a
legislative act, unnecessary. lf slavery does not
exist and is not established there either by local law