The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-19

| q
opinion that there those, North and South, who
incapable OF rising to the height Of political ques
ton, seek only in sectional agitation the mean re-
wards oil low ambition. So, when the wind was
| high on the sea-shore, have seen the sea gulls
wheel and scream; they to share the spirit oi
the storm, and yet all the while they only in
tent on securing their prey to which their instinct
| teaches them that the season is favorable.
| My action in this matter has not escaped con
struction, that is not tappears to me- very liberal
| IN another quarter The gentleman from Alaba-
ma, (Mr. HiLLiARp,) incapable Of intentional dis
courtesy or injustice, in commenting upon letter
written by me, and defending myself against an
attack made upon me in Wing newspaper, has
been able 70 discover for my course other than
sectional motive. He applies to it, in very compl
mentary language, comparison drawn from the
| art OF war. Certainly the feeling by which was
| governed was any thing but military or a aggressive
The gentleman will not deny that the vote gave
was national vote; but he objects to arguments
intended to reconcile that vote to section In this
may differ somewhat from the honorable gentle
man. He abounds in national and patriotic senti-
lnents clothed in very beautiful language; but so
tar as have observed, he has never given a vote
that was likely to place him in any difficulty at
home. Let not my friend from Alabama-if he
will permit me to call him so--mistake me. I
think that i do him justice. believe that he s a
friend To the Union, man of the nation; and can
appreciate the difficulties and embarrassmentsa aris
ing from geographical position. But let me sug-
gest, in all kindness, that in certain emergencies
one act involving some personal hazard is worth an
abundance Of lofty sentiments
ltisof little consequence how Imay stand upon this
Question, except to those whom Immediately repre-
sent Nevertheless, having patiently submitted for
some time to misconstruction-of which might
point to various instances-I have natural desire
to relieve my position Of any ambiguity that may
be attached to it. have been ready from the be-
ginning OF this session, and am ready now, to
place the settlement Of this question upon consti-
tutional principlcthe principle that the people of
Territory, in establishing constitution for their
government as State, have right to establish or
prohibit slavery as they may please was ready
to do this before read or had heard any ntimation
of the contents OF the annual message Of the Pres
dent or OF the California message; am not the less
ready to do SO now that know that my opinion has
sanction in SO high quarter. have considered
with attention and respect the propositions that
have emanated from several eminent gentlemen
for the adjustment Of this question; but will say
that have no where seen any thing that in my
Judgment is 30 wise and SO just as the plan submit
ted TO by the President, in the message now un-
der consideration. And in speaking of the plan of
the President, have in view the principle to which
he refers Us. | am aware that, strictly speaking.
the President has presented no plan, but rather
idea; and has very properly deferred entirely to
the Legislative branch of the Government the
sideration OF time and mode, and the arrangement
of details IL seems TO me erroneous TO cay that
the policy Of the President settles nothing; that
IL Is policy of inaction On the contrary, il has
an advantage IN this respect over every other plan
lit settles the question, and il is the only plan
that settles it, II is not policy of inaction Though
action, and immediate action We may give H.
nality to the policy when please; and for one,
am ready, and think il most wise 10 do
In plain words, am ready to vote for a bill autho-
rizing the people Of New Mexico to form a con-
stitution for their government a State and de-
claring that upon their adoption of a constitution.
republican in its form, they shall thereupon and
thereby be one OF the States of the Union. Such
bill should contain n provision, as matter of pre-
hmnary arrangement, for the extinguishment,
upon just terms, and with the assent OF Texas, of
her claim TO portion Of the territory. provi-
sion OF that character appears indeed to be neces
sary, whether We adopt the State the territorial
plan, since in either case ought to know what
II Is for which we are legislating do not think il
doubtful that we may make a proposition to Texas
which she will not reject. Pass such a bill and the
question Is settled, irrevocaby settled; settled by
an irrepcalable law; and before the meeting of an
other Congress. New Mexico will be of the
States of the Union.
Another recommendation of the plan of the Pres
ident is, that IL involves sectional triumph calls
for no surrender of any principle that has been
contendcd for, either by the North by the South;
Constitution itself As necessary consequence il
must quiet agitation; for the question being settled
and settled in such manner 10 leave sting be-
hind, agitation must expire for want Of aliment.
Compare now, in these respects, the plan Of the
President with the plan for a territorial govern
meni territorial bill must either contain, or il
must not contain, prohibition Of slavery. II il
contain such prohibition, its passage would be
y
operate in such case 10 prevent the extension of
slavery 70 free territory should approve il but in
so far as il would do this in manner-unhappily,
without, in my opinion, just cause-ofensvc 10 the
South, should regret IL. We all understand this
and IL s the less necessary 10 enlarge upon il since
this is not the alternative Of probable occurrence
Suppose, them that your bill contains such pro-
hbition. Would not it's passage under such cir
cumstances be equally regarded as a southern
triumph-as a surrender by the North--as an
abandonment by the North OF a principle 10 which
almost every northern State stands solcmnl y-com-
mtted, Nor would the eSasperated feeling thus
produced want tangible subject for agitation.
Your bill would be no settlement; IL would leave
the question open-open 10 another Congress- and
20 yet another 70 be elected under a new census.
We must not be mised by looking only Co the pres
ent; the scene Of agitation may be shifted The
North as well the South may be unreasonably
angry; the same passions esist every where and
IL at the South they are more easily excited, they
are not less durable in colder regions.
Besides, we must look beyond the intrinsic merits
Of measure, in order 10 form Judgment Of its
consequences; We must look 10 collateral circum-
stances. ] will not say that such bill might not
bc passed by majority, 80 strong and 80 composed
Of men from both sections Of the Union, and from
both the great political parties that its friends would
be able 20 put down agitation. But how il your ma
iority likely 70 be compoeedP You will not restore
harmony 10 the Union by any measure Of which
Of the proposed effects is the establishment of
Of the parties OF the nation upon the ruins Of the
other. II Is impossible TO shut eyes TO the
istence OF such expectations. There is n GUNNER
ing Of them through the remarks Of the gentleman
from Pennsylvania, (Mr. Ross) They are revealed
10 US more clearly In the daily columns OF n paper
published in this city. What, them will be the cha
racter Of your majority Suppose that il shall be
found 20 be composed Of almost the entire South,
and Of just a sufficient number Of northern Demo.
cratic members TO insure the passage of the bill In
such a case, the measure would present two popu-
lar aspects; the one sectional the other partisan
Is there not then, danger that you may thus force
Of tho great parties at the North into position
Of anti-savery agitationl thatit may be Joined not
only by all the Aboltonists and Free Soilers but
BY large section Of the other party'-that the cry
of Repeal may be raisedl-and that, all other
questions being merged in this, two parties geo.
graphically divided may take the place Of the pres
ent national parties, and the unhappy sectionacon
troversy already existing thus reach height more
dangerous than ever' should deeply regret this,
but ! should be powercss individual 10 pre-.
vent IL; fear those vastly my superiors might be
equally powerIess Ifthere be those who look with
out regret 10 such a state Of things certainly am
not Of them. point TO the danger that il may be
avcrtcd.
There IL another recommendation which the plan
Of the President possesses. n the people Of New