The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-22
CITY OF WASHINGTON THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 3D. 1850


course OF their distinguished leaders here to justify the
mputalion OF abolition sentiments TO them refer TO il
to show that the doctrine OF the perfect equality OF rights
social and POLITICAL accorded to and claimed for all
and conditions OF mankind, by the principles OF pure de-
mocracy expressed IN the avorle Watchwords, LIB
erly Equality, and Fraternity is OF the disiracilne
elements OF the times, which the North as well as The
South may well look 10.
ton OF the policy OF annexing Texas speedily followed
the advent OF MIR Polk to power and that faithful TO his
engagements with hs northern friends he prosecuted the
clam OF the United States TO the whole OF Oregon with
vigor which well nigh involved the country in a war
with Great Britain. But that danger passed, and the
possession OF Oregon with It's present boundaries secured
either from the necessities OF his position, upon some
calculation OF glory, other and more substantial bene
hts TO be acquired, he unhestang and with the cordial
support OF his followers, North and South, plunged his
country into with Mexico, Indicating from the
commencemen by unmstakable circumstances, that II
would not be terminated without further acquisition OF
territory. When that purpose became manifest TO the
public, arrested the attention and aroused the jealousy
oi the whole North. The annexa,ioa of Texas just
consummated, accompanied BY stpu alton for the ad
mission oil three four slave States to be carved out OF
her territory and them following close upon the heels OF
this measure, proposition Tor the further acquisition OF
Territory IN the same quarter gave new activity to every
anti slavery sentiment and prejudice at the North In
creased erceness TO the spirit OF fanacism; revived
every dormant passion OF jealousy resentment which
had tunes past been engendeed by the triumph OF the
South over northern men and northern policy The
sequence was, an immediate and almost unanimous
declaration OF the free States, that whatever acquisition
OF territory might be the result OF the should be free
territory.
AT the South it is well known that while the wings
were opposed both 10 the itself and the policy OF fur
her acquisition OF territory, the democratic party North
and South, earnest IN the support of both but with
what wisdom or with what Particular views OF southern
interests the acquisition OF territory insisted upon by
southern gentlemen, in the face OF the declaration oil the
North that whatever might be acquired should be free
yet mystery TO me. II is fair to presume, however
that variety of motives had their influence upon the
Of the southern democracy upon this subject and
war, besides the vast OF patronage which it
had placed at the disposal OF the democratic admnisa
on might be expected TO give such degree OF ecdt to
the parry Identified with its 10 its per-
maneDt ascendency; but terminate it, alter such a
vast expenditure OF blood and treasure with nothing TO
strike the Imagination or fix The popular admiration,
cept the glory OF military achievements, might defeat
all their expectations OF continued party ascendency
Another ana creditable motive with many OF the
distinguished leaders doubtless TO give additional
strength and protection to the slavehodng States not
doubling that the justice of the North, notwithstanding
accord to the South fair proportion OF the new acqu
stons TO be considered slave territory But, whatever
may have been the motives OF southern gentlemen, the
policy OF further acquisition was insisted and con
summated and the consequences are before us and
around Us in all their magnitude and fearful bearings
little more than two years ago we were IN the midst OF
a sanguinary war with neghboring republic. Now, at
peace with all the world without, in the midst OF
dangerous and hateful strife within and among our
selves
AT the close of that series of measures and results con-
cocted and set foot by the democratic convention in
lS4i marked by the treaty OF Guadalupe Hdago, the
OF the republic perceived 10 have been enlarged
onehrd beyond lis former extent vast region OF un
known and bouDdless fertility and resources sup
posed 10 be thrown open TO czens and under the
influence OF the vivid prospects of future prosperity and
grandeur these amazing results-achieved the short
space oil four yeas-poiDted to the imagination, the pop
uar feeling despite all orebodngs and warnings Of i'm
pending evil, rose TO enthusiasm Peans sung in
honor OF the foresight, the WISDOM and the energy Of
the authors OF policy at once gand and successful
The democracy North and South. congratulated them
selves upon their brilliant for the country
and upon prospects o continued and permanent power
which dawned upon them. IL was not long before they
perceived that all their well laid schsmea Of party aggran
dizenent likely to fail them. Disafection open
undisg used, and formidable, showed itself in their ranks
and the southern democracy especially began to suspect
that in the acquisition OF California and New Mexico,
they had got what they did not expect, and did not
want-agas accession OF territory in which slavery was
practically forbidden by the unaerable laws OF Nature,
not by human laws and SO lar as The preservation oil an
equibnum of power between the North and the South
was important 10 the protection OF southern interests
they found they bad struck blow that might prove fatal
10 those interests They had insisted upon the imme-
date annexation of Oregon and thereby provided for the
future admission of two If not four new free States into
the Union California and New Mexico, they perceived,
likely to increase the prepondeance OF the North BY
least four additional free States and how to retrieve
this unfortunate result of the and acquisition policy
4 is the problem TO be solved.
| here close the review of the past which proposed
And IT, the sketch of the late acquisition OF territory
have seemed TO press the dea that the gentlemen OF the
democratic party and particularly those OF the South are
gerous stale Of affairs beg to say that have in view
no party purpose have desired only 10 present faith
tul outline OF those oil disturbance TO our SYSTEM
and OF the present discussions which had undertaken
to do. The question NOW to be adjusted, and the in
to be protected and guarded. too important 10
be made the subject OF party calculations am south
ern man in interests and sympathy, and true OF
the South Southwest allow his party associations
or interests TO sway his judgment direct his course
upon questions deeply affecting the common welfare; and
whoever may be responsible for the past, all must be
sponsbIe Tor the future. have said, on former day
that TO give content 10 the South whatever might be my
opinions of the value OF these Territories
and OF the chances that slavery would under any crcum
stances be introduced into any part OF them, was pre-
Lin its true spirit the basis Of adjustment OF the
pending questions have also SAID, and ! repeat the
statement, that, my opinion, bad such proposition
been presented and sustained by the leading advocates OF
the measure now under consideration, II would have
been pressed TO successful conclusion. And, sir lei
me say 10 my northern friends this side OF the chan.
ber lnat though special favor may seem to be due
from them those OF the South who, in defiance Of the
repeated protests OF the North against the extension o
slave territory insisted upon the acquisition of these ter
rores remember that the policy OF those aequi-
sons opposed by respectable portion OF the south
ern people, and that number OF the most leading south
gentlemen in Congress and out OF H. foreseeing the
| evil consequences TO the whole country, which would
probably not inevitably follow, opposed themselves
maniully and resoluey to the current OF sentiment in
the South and resisted the annexation OF Texas, well
as the acquisition Of California and New Mexico. They
may also well remember that without the cooperation o
the North itself, these disacDg questions would never
have been heard Of The North, too, would insist upon
these acquisitions; Justly say rhe Sontb
sthou didst this thing" forbear further TO re-
mind my northern friends, that in the South and South
Lz.l.V IL h. A4rn lnny