The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-31


they never msant TO do il. They bad assisted the
South TO annsz Texas; they were determined to
exact full pay 6r that compliance and they did it,
s
Let US nov, endeavor to ansiyxe the motives
which prompted Gen. Taylor 70 advise the people
of Calfornia, through Mr.. King, to form State
constitution and apply to Congress for admission.
As patriot, he could not but deprecate the agita
ton, in Congress- ola sectional question which had
once before shaken the pillars Of the Union, and
had lost Of its fury by time; and as Presi-
dent, sworn to support the Constitution, he was
bound by the very terms Of his oath, TO every
means within the limits of the power conferred by
that instrument. TO ward of danger great and
imminent. In both capacities it was his duty TO
exert alr his influence to that portion of
fellow-citixens, inhabitng territory subject to
rule, should receive the protection and defence Of
| the Federal Constitution. As southern man, he
felt an instnctive reluctance to the Wilmot
proviso established the law of the land; because
though far California itself is concerned, it ia
| mere abstraction, and can evidently never take
practical shape, yet Il involves principle revolving
| to the feelings of the South. He knew perfectly
WELL that If California was admitted as territory
it would only be on the condition that the Wilmo
proviso should form distinct portion Of her consti
tuition. If he should veto constitution having
such provision, California would return to the
condition in which she existed during the first
months Of her annexation 10 the United States
She would by that very act be remanded to the gov
eminent Of the sword--a species Of rule only one
degree removed from absolute anarchy.
In ORDER therefore, TO avoid these eyils-in order
to avoid rousing violent sectional struggles dan
gerous to the integrity of the Union, ON the one
hand and to obviatc the necessity of returning Cal
ifornia to the government of the sword the ether
General Taylor resolved 10 pursue the only course
which promised the successful accomplishment Of
his object. He had reason to believe that even
"bitter-cnd' opposition could find fault with his
policy. Their champion, General Cass, had gone
far in his Nicholson letter. to declare that the
people of the territories, and they alone had right
TO settle the question Of slavery or no saverya doc
trine which he has lately not only reiterated but
pushed 80 far to deny in the most unqualified
terms the right of Congress to establish territorial
government at all. His admirers and followers, in
this city, echoing the sentiments Of his friends in
Alabama, and speaking for the whole State of Vir-
ginia, had asserted in round terms that State,
upon the formation of her constitution, had alone
the right to dispose Of this subject. His friends
everywhere Cat least in the southern States) had
openly declared, as fundamental doctrine that
Congress had right to go behind the constitution
presented to them by State, when she asked for
admttancc.
Under these impressions. doubtless, wers the in
structions given to Mr.. King That gentleman, it
will be rccollected, expressly directed to as
the people of California that while it would be
agreeable to the Executive that they should form
constitution and apply for admission as State,
that measure must proceed entirely from them
selves. The absolute necessity Of their acting en-
tirely upon the dictates of their free will was
insisted upon in the most emphatic terms. Much
has been endeavored to be made of General Riley g
proclamation, but, upon examination, it will be
found to contain nothing whatever of a compulsory
nature. II was mere invitation TO the people of
California to elect men to q convention for the pur-
pose specified they at perfect liberty to re-
ject it or not, they might think proper. They
accepted 1t with perfect unanimity and by thus &C
cepting, gave II the stamp Of popular appreciation,
and conferred upon it all the power which the most
rigidly authorized convention could possibly as
sumo. That officer did not attempt, in any man.
ner to control its deliberations, but the contra
ry, surrendered his civil power, after it had settled
the constitution.
The objection, that General Taylor interfered to
make California adopt anti slavery constitution
is gratuitous Islander, unsustained by the shadow
Of fact. The FIRST step taken to secure such con-
summation beyond hope, was the advent Of the
| famous California regiment, composed of men
every one of whom from the country north Of
the Potomac, and, il is therefore reasonable TO
infer, deeply infected with anti slavery sentiments
The whole world knows that ever since the discov-
cry Of the immense treasures of gold which have
been developed in that territory, the shipping Of
the entire Union has been insufficient to answer
the purposes of mere passenger transportation. One
hundred thousand persons supposed to be there
now, and every day Is adding to the number. Not
e. -. a.. A
slave. The adoption, therefore, Of an anti slavery
constitution inevitable even now If there were
stronger word than inevitabe, we should say il
would be more and inevitable the longer Il
were put of. To suppose that by remanding it
into state Of territorial pupilage we could ever
render 1t more disposed TO receive constitution Of
different character, were to imagine an absurdity
too gross for expression. The only possible issue
Of such policy would be the assertion by the ma
jority in Congress OF The principle Of the wilmot
proviso, event which every patriot especially
every southern patriot, should wish TO sec avcrtcd
IL is impossible, under any circumstanccs to carry
to California so large slave population 10 make
! her a slave State.
The course Of General Taylor has been that of
calm, dispsssionate, fearless and enlightened pa
triotism. Besct by faction predetermined TO cen.
sure every thing he might do, he hss set their ma
lightly at the most triumphant defiance In order
TO asssil him, they reduced TO the Illuminating
alternative Of giving the lie direct 10 their own
long cherished and often svowed principles, and
placing themselves in hostile attitude towards
the very man whom eighteen months ago they Sc
lected 10 bear their standard in the Presidential
contest. The people OF the United States, however,
know how 10 distinguish between faction and pa
triotisn, and in their hands we are contentcd 10
leave the President, his policy, and that most in
valuable Of inheritanccs, the blessed Union itself
The following article is taken from the
Pittsburgh Gazette, the Oldest journal west
Of the Allegheny mountains, and possess
ing largo and well-deserved influence:
The New Territory Question.
Since the publication Of tho late admirable moe
sage Of General Taylor, the territorial question:
the public mind has been intently occupied on the
best mode Of settling The alarming difficulties which
have grown up from the determination Of the South