Southern shield., 1850-05-25

l
 cuted itself. Itwas to the North an escape
 from false position into which intatuaton
 had betrayed it; and 10 the South the recog
 hilton of a principle for which it had con-
 tended. ltasked neither section to succumbI
 to the other. The North was not invited
 openly to reject principle born of sent-
 ment universal amongst her people; and the
 South was not importuned to submit toI
 legislation which a large number of her
 citizens had pledged themselves to resist at
 all hazards and to the last extremity. The
 line of settlement suggested was equidistant
 from either extreme. It invoked no viola
 ton of the sentiment of either extreme.-
 It held out the doctrine which all sound
 men subscribe to-the cardinal tenet in
 every republican creed-that the people
 alone have the power to regulate and de-
 termine the character of their domestic laws
 and institutions; and the adoption in legis-
 lation of this simple fundamental principle of popular supremacy was the solution of
 the difficulties that surrounded the question: 1 The bare statement of the plan of settle
 ment is calculated to bring it friends.
 The promul gation of this important docu-
 ment was followed by a calm. In the in-
 terval between it's appearance and the
 resumption of the controversy, men thought
 upon the condition of affairs, and reasoned
 together respecting the dangers upon which
 the country was drifting, in quieter and
 more promising temper Brief as the re- spite was, it was enough. It required no Iprotracted rumination 10 digest what was
 substantial in the causes of discontent.- Northern statesmen and Northern people, looking at the bone which they had conri- buted 10 the strife, found it naked folly, in so far as the Territories in contention are
 concerned. Whateverthe" Wilmot" might be as an abstraction, hereit was humbug- a bold, profitleSs, inapplicabe, and gratu- , tous humbug! And the South, seeing there was no pressing danger upon them, and queted by the development of principle which lay at the base of local sovereignty in regard to local institutions, became to consider the Nashville convention in the ! light in which it was first moved-a yet greater, though more solemn humbug. The . Execntive was calm amid the storm of fac- ton; cool and self-poised when partisan leaders were rocking to and fro; and the Z country took heart from the example set ! them by its Chief Magistrate, and the so- Der second thought of the people las con- signed the "WiImot" 10 the receptacle of cast-off illusions, whilst the Nashville con- vention promises 10 be an idle pageant, harmless to all except those who assist in its proceedings.
 This happy and hopeful change in public { feeling is all the work of the Presidents California Message. During the Presiden-
 tlal canvass, and since, he has endured pa- : tlently and without murmur the vileSt assaults from both Northern and Southern agitators, because he would identify himself l with neither faction. He held himself aloof from sectional controversy; maintained his national position against remonstrances, threats, entreaties, and fattery; and he finds his reward in the ameliorated tone of the controversy and the softened temper of the people, produced by the plan of peace he has held out 10 the country.
 Before the message of the President was sent into either house, distinguished gentle
 men of both parties had bestowed much attention to the subject, and had conceived
 plans of their own for the adjustment off
 the difficulties it had produced. The first movement made was the presentation by ,I MT. Clay of series of resolutions in the Senate, upon all the topics connected with
 the slavery agitation. It must be admitted
 that these resolutions did not obtain that general acceptance which the fame of their
 author might have conferred upon them, or the eloquence with which he enforced them might have procured for them. They were espoused by neither section. The extremes
 of each were not expected to give in their
 adhyence to any plan; but we doubt if the moderate men of either yielded them all a support. MT. Bell, of Tennessee, subse- i, quentiy proposed plan, which was more acceptable perhaps to the South, but which
 has not been formally adopted by any frag-
 ment. Meanwhile we have had MT. Web ster's views upon the whole field of discus
 sion, delivered in speech which performed
 a noble part in correcting the errors of l Northern men who had been led astray in
 regard to the value of the 'Wilmot" in the
 application which is sought to be made off
 it; and in respect also to the duties and obIi- gations of Congress under the Constitution
 and treaties made in conformity withit MT.
 Cass, of the Democratic party, as well as
 others of his political confederates, have ,I addressed the country and presented forms
 of compromise. We are not amongst those who ascribe unworthy motives to these gentlemen for doing what they have done in this behalf. Nor dowe descry a necessa- ry hostility to the Administration on the part of MT. Clay, or Mir. Webster, or Mir. Bell, or any other gentleman of the Whig party, who has spoken to tke question. The am- | bition to contribute to the harmony of the