The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1850-06-01

dissolution. But it is equally certain that
she can never obtain ANYTHING more than
she is entitled to strictissi1'n j"ris. Argu-
ment can avail her nothing before the
audience she must address. She may pro-
woke aggression upon what are now her ati-
mitted rights she cannot hope for any
accessions. unless they may be acquired
amid the conciliatory spirit Of political
calm. Very important to her. then. is the
speedy restoration Of repose. Delay in
admitting California may rebukc our north
ern brethren for their advocacy Of antislav-
cry opinions. But will that avail anything1
Alas, SO far as our interests are concerned,
we may as we'll expect. by stern rebuke.
to change the skin Of the Ethiopian or the
spots Of the leopard. And to reason down
those opinions would be as wild An attempt
as that Of Xerxes to bin,l in chains the rag
ing Helespont. Fanaticisn cannot be
rcbuked--cannot be reasoned with. All
that you can ask of the fanatic or madman
ia, that he will keep his hands off you.
You cannot prevent him from thinking or
speaking oHt the wild fanCies "f his excited
brain. But some one will say the territory
proposed is too large Cor State What j.
that to Us? The non u-sIaveholders Of Cali
fornia can send the fewer senators to Con-
gress. have not examined critically the
details of the s,callcd compromise, and
speak therefore only Of its general princi-
Plies. If there is any hope of wringing
from the easerness or necessities OF those
opposed to US recognition of those claims
Of equality that they refuse to accord to a
sense Of justice and of generous confrater-
nifty, by delay, | should be in favor of
delay ; unless, indeed, we thereby en-
danger, by protracte1 agitation, rights that
at< II,
this branch ct the question there is great
difference Of opinion. and. for my own
part, | incline to the latter. Entertaining
this opinion, had I vote. should give it
in favor Of all those measures, taken toge
thcr. which constitute the great 81 stem OF
compromise now under consideration not
as a compromise. but as system OF mca-
sures expedicnt under existing circu'n-
stances. Quiet would be thereby restored
to the public mind, and the rights Of the
South. in my humble judgment. rendered
more secure than they can possibly be un-
der continued agitation. The admission OF
California is generally considered the most
interesting measure in the series !; and
concerning that, have neither tune nor
space for further remarks.
| Then as to the Territories. Ought not
Congress to g i've them government with
Wiln"t Proviso. Would that our north
ern friends could be induced, in spirit Of
enlightened Justice and lberaiity, to go a
step further, and expressly declare that
these Territories shall be no longer under
any supposed Mexican prohibition against
the Introduction Of slavery, and thus leave
them equally open to the occupation Of
every citizen in the Union. But, i! there
be no hope Of that, l should do the best
| could. and take the system without it.
deeming it far better than to leave them
under an unauthorized military govern
mcnt, with that same Mexican bugbear
staring US in the face.
Next, as to the bill for the surrender Of
fugitive slaves fund in the free States.
which look upon as part Of the system.
though l speak not Of its details. Ought
not Congress to legisIate upon subject
which is one OF the elements OF the federal
compact : Experience has shown that the
States themselves will adopt no adequate
legislation upon the subject, and there
is no means of forcing them to do SO. The
rights Of the South. and the duty of the
North, equally demand that Congress
should supply the deficiency. do not
altogether like that portion Of the system
relating to the Texas boundary, and
could only consent to vote for it in case
found it inseparable from the other mea.
sures. Still, it is only a proposal to
Texas, which she may either accept, or
modify. or reject, as she thinks proper.
She. think, may be trusted will, her own.
If she rejects. it will not affect the other
measures and if she accepts, it is by no
means certain how it will affect the ques-
ton Of increasing or diminishing slave
territory. would like one proviso in
serted, If possible and that is, that what
is called the disputed territory, although
detached from Texas, should, until fur
ther legislation. be considered under Tex
as, and not Mexican law-though would
not even make that sine qua non.
have thus hastily, and with great diff
dence. given my views according to your
request. | regret that you have thought
1t worth while to ask them, but, being ask
ed, | could not shrink from their express
sion. You would, no doubt, like to have
the views Of every southern man on this
great question, aud especially Of those who
have habitually mingled Just regard for
| the Union with zeal for the interests Of
| their own particular section of country.
Deeming me one Of these, as I suppose,
you have sought and are entitled to my
poor opinions. Whether they be right or
wrong, they are sincerely entertained.
And. in conclusion. my prayer is. that He
who has long kept orr beloved country un.
der His paternal care may guide her in
/ "a fpfv fhrnl, oh hor rroeor< 4: a. :o.l.:..