The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-21
fbr As Souihtrn Prsa.
The Compromise TheD Design Of itA Authors
and their Views Of tho Result.

and their Views of the Result.
II is profitable TO review the scenes of politi-
cal conflict and analyze the agencies Which gave
character to its progress and determine its eff
feet. The excitement Of the contest prevents
impartiality in the formation of judgment, and
disqualifes for that min to observation of events
Indispensable to any valuable conclusion. Mat
tiers apparently unimportant, turn out to be those
which determined the issue, whilst those which
We're regarded of the highest moment, prove to
be mere accidents, cxerting little or no control
over the result The present is the parent of
the future, as well as the offspring of the past
No great revolution is to be wisely attributed to
accident neither can the effect of existing causes
be prevented, unless the causes are themselves
removed. Il policy Of sagacious statesman
is always referabe to some well conceived pur-
pose, which, though not at all times apparent, is
still the end of his efforts and the object of his
pursuit. He may mingle in other designs, and
unite in other enterprises-may bind himself to
parties and to individuals, but close inspection
of all his acts will disclose the master purpose,
the ruling passion of his heart.
1t is thus that after years of effort, the end is
reached, and a review of what has been done,
purpose sometimes avowed, ever cherished and
stea lily pursued Thought, hopes, sentiments,
friends, station, power, all made available TO
"construe the times to his necessities" to min.
lister to the attainment of the darling wished for
end. The letters, speeches and conversations, as
well as the votes of such individuals, however
varying and sometimes even conflicting, show
the coloring which opinions early formed, ard
determinations early adopted, give to their char
acter and to theirac The truth of these re-
Elections is most manifest in considering the COM
PROMISE the design of its authors and their views
of the result
No discreet man, in rejecting on the Com
promise, can regard Mr.. FoorE as. the author
of the measure He proposed the committee of
thirteen, it is true, but with the avowed purpose
of counteracting and defeating Mr.. CLAWS reso-
lutons in his speech of February last His soul
was stirred lin him at the horrible outrage
which they inflicted on the South, and his com.
mittee was to be the panacea to restore health
and tranquility. 1t is true that he was active
busy, and even ready to interfere, but he was
no more the author Of the Compromise than the
iron casting in which the meat is cooked is the
author of the dinner. 1t is All agent used in the
culinary art to make other things available. The
proposition was readily adopted, because it WIS
thought of some Importance that the individual
who had supposed himself to be the chief agent
in getting up the meeting which adop,ed the
Southern address, should be committed to IL
mode of settlement which would demonstrate
to the country, that the meeting and the adj
dress were alike unnecessary. That meeting
it was well known, assembled because Of the
passage Of GoTT's resolution, which merely sug-
gested the propriety of the abolition of the
slave trade in the District of Columbia Mr..
FooTE was understood t. have been very nc,
tive, with his friends in the House of Repre-
sentatives, in urging that convention, also very
Jealous in its several mcetings--and n sgner OF
the Southern address. 1t was therefore very
desirable to commit him to n settle Tent, which
would do the very thing, in fact, which Corr
only proposed to inquire into, and thus emascu
late any opposition to anti-slavery which he
might offer. 1t was known that he had :spired
to lead for Southern rights in the early part OF
the last session, and his acquiescence in the
purposes of the majority would be readily OBJ,
! fnin I'D hv. in 90
mittee. Wiser, deeper and more skillful tacti.
clans perceived the use that might be made OF
him, and promptly availed themselves OF
the offer which he made of his services
are proposing to write He has attained that
prominence which was his carly purpose, his
ruling passion, and the country have about as
much interest in his opinions as his State has ap-
probation Of his services as n Senator, a prom.
ncnce fully secured, and which is likely to be
quietly enjoyed, because founded on the most
undisputable title. 1t is well known that he
has taken great credit in company with VI essrs.
CAss, CLAY and others for the passage Of the
several measures composing the Compromise
Now in the Joint letter to Governor QUrTMAN Of
January 81 he declared that he in common with
his colleagues chad a we'll defined opinion that
California will be admitted rs a State during
the present session of Congress" The Presi-
dent earnestly recommends it and we cannot be
mistaken in snpposing that n majority of both
houses Of Congress will be found to vote for it
We regard the proposition to
admit California as State under all the circum.
stances Of her application as an attempt to adopt
the Wmot Proviso in another FORM The
admission Of California which was in his judg-
ment forgone conclusion January 81, and
against which he voted August 18th is one of
the measures for which he claims the esteem and
gratitude Of the country, Notwithstanding his
assertion that the admission of that State under
the circumstances of her application is the
adoption Of the Wilmot Proviso in another form.
He did not vote upon the bill to abolish the