The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-05

fanatlcism at the North. When the plan of such
gentlemen falls so far short Of what the Senate and
the country had right to expect of them il is to
me, at least, matter Of deep regret, and so,
think 1t must prove to the public Sir, when giant Is
set Their hands to work, we expect something
| more than the product Of ordinary mortas; some
thing more than the mere expedient of a day, a
measure to answer temporary emergency. Sir,
do not mean to boast myself of superior sagacity
and wisdom. pretend to see no further into the
future than any other gentleman of ordinary OBJ
servation may if he chooses; but had the gifts
that others have; had the powers, like them, not
only to control and sway listening Senate, bat the
million without; had the hold upon the public
confidence that others have. never would have
ceased, from midwinter to this hour, upon all pro-
per occasions, to proclaim my apprehension that
unless some plan OF adjusting these distracting
questions should be devised, more permanent and
comprehensive in its provisions than the now
before the Senate, controversy would arise In the
South which would shake the fabric of this Union,
solid as II is, until its foundations shall be moved or
rivcn.
The President of the United States has been ta-
ken to task because he would not modify his views
upon this subject communicated by his message
of the Gath of January, correspond with the
plan presented by the Committee of Thirteen. Now,
sir, If were disposed to make issue with the
President on this subject, would not raise ques-
ton about such plan as this; plan of such ques
tionable utility and superiority. | would raise it
upon much broader grounds. would tax him and
his Cabinet, together with the honorable and dis
tinguished leaders upon this question in the Senate,
to whom have before alluded, with the glect of
great occasion of settling all these questions
permanent basis, and securing quiet for the future
as well as the present. | would charge him and
them with having failed to avail themselves of a
combination OF circumstances and influences which
may never again be presented, of healing these
dissensions upon a basis so solid that posterity
night have occasion TO rise up and bless their mem
ories.
/ know it may be said that at no period of this
| session would such extended project of adjust
ment have passed both houses OF Congress. l do
halIn Of nft a.
| sion, when the game fairly aloot, when every
patriotic mind of the North and Of the South was
fully reused to Of the dangers which threat
ened the peace and harmony of the country, the
giant intelects which have expended their energies
upon the piece OF political joinery now before us
had extended their views TO more enlarged plan
of ad ustment, believe il could have been carried
There would perhaps have been storm. The tenn
pest would have ragged furiously for a time; but
who would not have been ready TO encounter it, in
its utmost fury, when he knew that a calm must
soon follow! would have been content to have
| witnessed what many would deDominate a factlous
proceeding; would have been willing to have seen
the experiment tried of forcing the country to be
reconciled, by settling this question broad,
just and permanent basis.
1t is known, Mr.. President that at unlucky
hour, which cannot but say have regretted ever
since, presented plan for the settlement Of the
questions connected with these Territories, made
up chiefly Of the propositions submitted by others,
but combined and modified by me in such manner
as appeared to me at that time to embrace every
1 question which might arise in the future. This |
did at the suggestion of partial friends, who
| supposed that, coming from the quarter and occu-
pying the position dio, and that, by yielding TO
the opinions OF others upon some points, more sub
stantial advantages might be secured upon others,
the prospect OF satisfactory adjustment would be
advanced. say regret this now, because, hav-
ing failed in those advantages had at heart, am
placed in position of apparent Inconsistency. The
plan proposed 40 a whole, was compromise oi
my own opinions, and the tenor of my present
argument will seem 10 conflict with my former
Views.
In Justice to myself must beg the indulgence
Of the Senate while notice some of the objections
stated to the most prominent feature of the plan of
adjustment which had the honor to propose, and
which failed 10 meet with the concurrence OF ma
Jority OF the select committee. proposed TO pro-
vide for the prospective admission of States ~
be carved out Of Texas, and to place such admis
sion upon the ground Of renewed compact. To
this it was objected by some, that perhaps Texas
docs desire TO divide her territory; by others,
that the initiative should be taken by Texas. The
Senator from Illinois (Air. sHIELDs) said it would
be impolitic and injurious, under present circum-
stances; and this proposition seemed 10 have the
assent of two or three southern Senators. II was
also said that " sufficient for the day the evil
thereof" and that, perhaps, " Texas would never
raise the question"
In reply to the suggestion that Texas docs not
desire to separate her territory, will remark that
this may be true at the present time. But Texas
is not to-day what che will be tomorrow. She has
a growing population, vast territory, estimated
|
wards of one hundred thousand proposed to be
ceded by this bh territory quite too large for
| the convenient government of her people under a
! single State organization. Her western inhabi
tants will demand separate government.
Besides, Texas has an interest now-tbc payment
! Of her debt by the United States-which will. for
the present, control her councils. Texas is scarce
ly free 10 speak this question at the present time
Her representatives. are trammeled; whatever mea-
sure holds out the prospect of relieving her of the
burden of the debt, however objectionable IN other
| respects. they must hesitate before they will do any
thing to embarrass. The measure proposed was
not designed 10 coercc Texas 10 assent 10 it, The
| adjustment-the pacihcation-would be complete
on this point, If by new compact, based on the
cession OF part OF her territory 10 New Mexico, 1t
| were provided that new States, whensoever carved
out OF her present territory, with appropriate ter
rtorial area and population and with constitutions
republican in form, should be admitted into the
Union without further Legislation 1t would not
be OF the smallest consequence to the object at pre-
sent in view, whether Texas should ever give her
assent to a division of her territory not.
But il is said that Texas ought 10 take the nitia-
tive in this movement. IL is begging the question
TO say that the people of Texas ought fret TO de-
mand the fuhlment of the guarantees of the annex
alton resolutions. My proposition IL to provide by
irrepeaable and irrevocable public act that when
the people of Texas shall think proper TO move,
what they desire will already be accomplished, and
no issue can be presented which can disturb the
Union. That Texas will, at very remote day,
move upon this subject, who that knows any thing
ulation and the character of that population, can
doubt And as 10 the existing compact, do We not
see preparations already making in advance at the
North for defeating its fulhlmenD Even now it is
stated that the question as to the number of the
population, the Of the territory, and the time
o admission will put 1t completely in the power OF
majority in either house OF Congress to control this
whole subject. The validity of the annexation re-
solutions will be denied by but few; but whenever
a new State shall be presented for admission, II
either the amount of population the extent of terri
tory or the period of application shall not prove ac-
ceptabc 10 mere majority in either branch of
! Congress the measure falls 20 the ground. Who,
them does not perceive, that unless the popular
sentiment on the subject of slavery at the North
shall undergo great and radical change the guar
antee of the annexation resolutions will become a
nullity,
But il is said TO be impolitic and injurious for Con
1 gress TO move upon this subject. lmpOlitic
now, when the leading and patriotic minds at the
North admit the obligation of the guarantee and be
fore agitation shall have had time to consolidate an
opposite sentiment Impolitic to take advan-
tage Of favorable occasion to settle this question
once and forever, and thus TO defeat by snticipa-
ting an evil? Impolitic-when We sec the cloud IN
the distance, surchargcd with the elements Of the
hurricane, to provide shelter from its fury while
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