Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-08-24
THE TERRITORIAL QUESTIONS.


instance in which we have concIed in sentiment upon any
question Of national politics. You have both abored indie
agaby TO promote the Of the Democratic party, while
whatever energy possessed has been willingly and zealousy
employed you. Upon the questions which have thus
divided US likely be, hereafter, far apart
have been heretofore for have yet evidence of
disposition on your part turn Wing, and feel abiding
confidence that is utterly impossible for to become De
oat. What shall say to you, therefore, will not fairly
subject me the mputaon of wishing advance your
political success that Of the party which you belong.
The questions of which it my purpose speak, and which
excite the whole country, important and too deli
be subjected any Of the ordinary tests Of party
They rise above oil parties. They involve the welfare and
peace Of nation Of than twenty millions Of people
the integrity and safety of the union Of thirty States is
not wonderful them that Wings and Democrats should
cur in relation the mode Of their adjustment Such
tends prove, what all fair minded will admit
that patriotism and loyalty to the constitution 10 confined
neither pay but that the great body of the American peo
pe when they know their institutions to be in danger, will
not stop count the cost Of defending preserving them
The country has been precptated into its present cond
ton by S1raism, both in the North and in the South
verify believe that had there been less of passion in the
consideration and discussion Of the questions growing out Of
the institution Of slavery, they would all have been settled
long ago. and satisfactorily both sections of the Union
bad spirit however, has been engendered between the North
and the South and exhibition of il in Congress from day
day has led to fearful apprehension Of the result There
those who profess to nothing alarming in this condl
ton Of things not of that number True, do not
apprehend that the Union will be dissolved in month, six
months year, any other given time but is perfectly
apparent TO my mind that, if this struggle shall continue
much longer there must be such destruction OF aternal
feeling between the North and the South will gradually
weaken the bonds Of unon and either produce its Ultimate
dissolution or render it wholly impotent for good
We of Indiana, both Democrats and Wings, have never
considered ourselves belonging either the Northern or
the questions growing out of slavery. Whilst 1t not to
be disguised that there few amongst mad fam
acs and reckless agitate who or pretend to see
something carp and quarrel at in every thing that SOUTH
ern Except Southern market for their produce) yet the
great body of the people of State emphacay mode
and conservative in all their opinions, and deeply
and pasonatey devoted to the Union They entertain no
principles that peculiar either to the North the South
yet they love both North and South and look upon the peo
pie Of each section equally their counymen and brethren
They feel themselves to belong to great nation, composed
Of thirty States, confderad together for mutual safety and
happiness They share the common glory as they will
ling share the DANGER Of the pho Their pa
osm has been abated by the equations Of the present
day, do think it will be by any that interested and
ambitious facorsts may hereafter originate. Occupying
this position, thsn between the two extremes their opinions
entitled than ordinary consideration in the ad
jusment of the present difficulties and is the
OF little satisfaction that far understand have
observed your course in the Senate have properly
fected these opinions. say this willingly, and with the
pleasure, because furnishes the opportunity Of ap
proving the conduct Of political opponents and because you
employing the entire political power Of the State, far
the Legislation Of the Senate concerned to promote
cord, harmony. and Cancellation.
If there ever time when concession was demanded
and which called for surrender Of individual opinions and
preferences that time is the present The future promises
event more certain than that nothing be accomplished
and that confusion will become worse COMPOUNDED, the
extreme sentiments Of the two sections Of the Union shall be
obsnatey persisted in 1t me- therefore, the duty
of every public man. and private citizen to yield up
sonehng and, il necessary, good DEAL Of his private
judgment and opinions, with view TO the permanent peace
and quiet of the country In such crisis the present.
the who will not do it the risk Of being subjected
to the imputaon Of desiring allayed the Of
passion with which the country dashed into high
and dangerous excitement. II by such sacrifices that
the constitution formed, and by the it must
be preserved, and the Union perpetuated.
For my part have constantly looked these slavery
questions in this spirit and have yet the time
when would have voted for their settlement upon al
most any reasonable plan Of compromise. would have
voted, during the last Congress- for what known the
Wdlser amendment to the civil and diplomatic appro
have cidned rather than healed the breach between the two
sections ohe country Then believed and still do that the
amendment moved by Mr. Webster In the Senate and
ed by in the House, with this difference only that my
amendment declared that the constitution should be extended
California, &c. wsshs proper remedy, the true panacea
for the evils then existing So thought the House of Represent
aves and the entire North but il rejected by the South
mainly for the reason, fear that the great statesman who
orgiDated supposed 70 cheeh Secret designs
against the South think he has sbundanty shown sucs
them that be msudged by the South, this opinion Of
him entertained and that he then prompted by that
patriotic and national spirit by which he has been always
characterized, and which has moved him. all times and
under all circumstances defend the honor and glory Of the
Uton whenever and by whosoever they have been assa
ed and whether the assaaut has from the North
from the South. 9s
notwithstanding did not vote for the Walker Amend
menu YET could then have foreseen the present state of
ings and the danger which threatens the peace and
quiet Of the country would have voted for with hope
tna would have produced restoration Of concord should
not nave regarded the effect Of that upon myself
consider that very small affair." and have wish conceal
my contempt Tor any man, who in such crisis the pre-
sent would stop TO consider Of himself This same feeling
would were member Of the present Congress- induce
me TO vote r almost any plan Of adjustment that could be
LARRY called compromise do hesitate to say that
prefer the plan suggested in the message Of Gen. TArLoR
toany other have yet extmined although the reasons In
favor OF that plan are not strong they were when il
was laid before Congress Yet my preference for this plan is
not decided 10 blind the merits of other uropos
tons Indeed, think it altogether certain that vety de-
cded majority OF both houses Of Congress are opposed To il
and that its adoption now scarcely to be expected Under
this of things should consider it my duty 10 suppor
any other proposition that would be likely to restore peace
harmony and quiet the country. would therefore vote
and without hesitation, for the bill reported by Mr. CI.Y
from the select committee of thirteen although there are some
portions Of it that might desire to change would vote
for peace offering upon the altar Of the Unon and
with firm conviction that would concord in the
any we'll grounded cause for emulation. would for it.
because do not that surrenders abandons single
principle right by either the North South, but fully
preserves the integrity and honor Of both.
do not believe that Texas has any Just and legal title
the country lying the Rio Grande at any point from it