The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-09

We lay before readers this morning the commu-
nication from the Hon. r. X Meade, Of Virginia which
promised 10 publish yesterday; but other indspensa-
BILE engagements prevented us from fulfilling It.
We have opened our columns to temperate articles,
OF suitable length in opposition to the proposed Adjust
ment but in doing so. did not anticipate request 10
publish communications. relating to that any other sub
ec which contain structures course, or Of char
acter which makes it necessary that should reply to
them for if such articles were sent to us in sufficient
number. our whole time would be consumed In replying
10 questions and the Of editorial labors
could be prescribed by other persons But we cheeruy
publish Mr.. Meade's communication, because we have
great respect and esteem for him, and because he is
Of those persons whom no questions Of opinion
could induce us TO with even seeming discourtesy
II the remarks which we have already made, the
marks which we may hereafter make, relative to him,
give him any pain we beg him to believe that have
bnt shot our arrow oerthe house, and hurt brother"
Mr. Meade intmates that we did not state his positions
fairly in our editorial OF the 9th instant. We do not
know how that is for stated his positions under
stood them II fell into error, it unintentional
and, inasmuch as we published every word Of Mr.
Meade's letter to US in the number OF the Union,
the antloie was widely extended as the poison But
as Mr.. Meade is kind enough TO tell what is the
soul OF discussion" trust thar he will pardon for
telling him Of The rules Of discussion. We have for
gotten the term by which logicians designate the
particular rule TO which refer. and have not at
hand the means of refreshing memory; but it is SUBJ
stantay this, to wit that neither party in controversy
discussion should depart from the point in issue This
principle well establishedso well, indeed, that the
greatest monument Of human reason relating to such
matters--we mean the system Of special pleading-re-
quires that there shall be departure in pleading Let
apply this principles and in order TO do so, let US ask
how did the present discussion between Mr. Meade and
oursef arise Our readers will bear witness that il
in this way: A few days ago we published an article,
which compared the provision of the Clayton compromise
Of 1885, relative slavery with the similar provision OF
the Adjustment proposed by the Committee OF Thirteen.
In making that comparison we published the names
OF those members Of the Senate who voted for the Clay
ton compromise, and the names OF those members oil
the present House OF Representatives who voted against
Mr. S,ephens's motion 10 defeat the measure Among
those names was that of Mr.. Meade. Of Virginia, who
complained that had not correctly reported the terms
OF the Clayton compromise. That all he pretended
that he had right to complain Of. We published his
complaint although il embraced other matters; and we
justified ourselves, we are sure, TO Mr. Meades salts
faction for the into which had been betrayed;
and as a matter of courtesy, we commented on those
other matters which Mr. Meade's communication con,
iained We did this, not because we thought IL neces-
sary to discuss those points before the people, but to in
sure ourselves against the possibility that MIR. Meade
should think we were disposed to pass anything
which emanated from him without all due attention and
respect
Mr.. Meade says that we are advocating the bill as /,
is-meaning thereby, il we understand him, that we are
and have been advocating the plan Of adjustment as it
was originally reported. without reference to amend.
ments Surely Mr.. Meade must remember that we have
always advocated the general features Of the proposed
Adjustment even before the Committee OF Thirteen
appointed and surely he must remember. too. that in
the first article we published the committees report.
and in several subsequent articles, looked to
amendments, and stated specially and distinctly, on
more than one occasion, that we spoke Of the Adjustment
il those alterations, which were known to be practi-
cable, had already been made As to the Texas bounda
ry Mr. Meade falls into another in charging that
we "beg off," We cannot see how that error became
fixed in his mind and therefore we cannot undertake.
10 eradicate it. But we did this We denied that the
territory which the Adjustment proposed to give New
Mexico given up to free soil, or to the principles OF
the Wmot Proviso. In that behalf asserted posi-.
lively, and we repeat the assertion, that New Next
co, according to the plan Of the Committee OF Thirteen,
placed precisely in the condition in which the terri
tory OF the United States south OF 80 deg 80 min is
placed by the Missouri Comprehensive Compromise
which Mr. Meade says the South should insist upon And
further while free to say that nothing more should
be given to New Mexico than the territory in dispute,
yet II more is given. nth The consent Of Tsras first had
and obtanea we are willing to in tina, fact
sufficient cause TO defeat the Adjustment The great pm.
cple OF the c6nstituon-THE EQUALITY THE STATES
will have been preserved in despite Of IT. and when that
is accomplished feel that regard any matter oil
mere interest with commendable contempt
Mr.. Meade thinks that we are mistaken in suPposing
that the gold mines OF California had not been discov
cred when the Clayton compromise was voted on. We
feel perfectly that not mistaken in that par.
ticularat least absolutely certain that the dis
covery OF gold in California not known the At
Ian,ic coast at that time II memory is not at fault
the news Of that discovery did reach Washington in
reliable shape until October or November, 1sts-the
Clayton compromise having been defeated in the previous
July We also referred 10 Mr. Kings report TO prove
that gold mines have been discovered in that part OF CAL
iforna south OF 80 deg 80 min. We beg leave to say
that we put but little confidence in that report and that
we prefer to rely on The statements OF an honorable
and intelligent resident Of California, now in WASH