Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-07-06

struction-of which might point to various instances
natural desire to relieve my position of any ambguy
that may be attached to IT, have been ready from the be-
ginning Of this session, and ready now to place the set
dement, of this question upon constitutional principe-ht
principle that the people of Territory, in establishing
constitution for their government State, have the right
establish prohibit slavery they may please wal
ready do this before read had heard any inmation
the of the annual message OF the President of tn
California message am not the less ready to do SO nov
that know that my opinion has sanction in high quar-
have considered with attention and respect the propo
sions that have emanad from several eminent gentemes
for the adjustment of This question but will say that have
no where anything that in my judgment wise and
just the plan submitted 10 by the President in the
sage now under consideration And in speaking of the plan
Of the President have the principle which he re-
iers us that strictly speaking, the Presiden:
has presented plan but rather dea and has very
perry deferred entirely to the legislative branch Of the Govern
men the consideration of time and mode and the arrange
en OF details II seems to erroneous TO say that the
Pocy OF the President settles nothng that policy OF
action On the contrary an advantage in this respect
over every other plant settles the question: and is the on
ly plan that settles it. 1t Is policy of naction Though
does not absolutely demand yet il admits of action, and
when please and for one ready aud think most
wise. to do SO now. In plain words ready to vote for
bill authorizing the people of New Mexico to form con-
sution for their government State, and declaring that
upon their adoption OF constitution, republican in its form
they shall hersupon and thereby be Of the States Of the
Union Such bill should contain provision, as mater Of
preliminary arrangement for the exnguishment upon Just
terms and with the assent Of Texas Of her claim portion
of the territory provision Of that character appears indeed
to be necessary, whether adopt the State the Terrific
rial plan, SINCE in either case ought to know what it is
for which legsatng do not think it doubtful that
may make proposition to Texas which she will not
jec Pass such BILL and the question settled, rrevocs-
bly, settled settled by irrepeaabe law and before the
meeting of another Congress- New Mexico will be of the
States of the Union.
Another recommendation Of the plan Of the President
is, that it involves sectional triumph calls for sur
render Of any principle that has been contended for either BY
the North or by the South founded upon no
but those of the constitution ITSELF As necessary
quence, it must quiet agitation for the question being set
tied and settled in such to leave sting behind,
agitation must expire for want Of alment.
Compare now in these respects the plan of the President
with the plan for Territorial Government Territorial
bill must either contain, or it must not contain, prohibition
of slavery II it contain such prohibition, its passage
would be regarded northern triumph 30 far asst would
operate in such prevent the extension Of slavery to
free territory should approve it, but insofar il would do
this in msnner-unhappily, Without in my opinion, just
cause-ofensve to the South should regret It, We all
this; and is the less necessary to enlarge upon
since this the only alternative of probable occurrence
Suppose then, that your bill contains no such prohibition
Would not its passage under such circumstances be equally
regarded Southern umph-asa surrender by the North
abandonment by the North Of principle 10 which
almost every Northern State stands solemny committed
Nor would the exasperaed feeling thus produced want
gbe subject for agitation. Your bill would be settlements
it would leave the question open-open to another Congress-
and yet another to be elected under We
be msed by locking only to the present the scene
Of agitation may be shifted The North well the South
may be unreasonaby angry the passions exist every
where and, if at the South they easily excited,
they are not less durable in colder regions
Besides, must look beyond the intrinsic merits Of
MEASURE in order form judgment of its consequences
must look collateral circumstances will not say that
such bill might be passed by majority, strong and
composed Of from both sections of the Union, and
both the great political parties that its friends would be
ble put down agitation But how is your majority likely
be composed You will not harmony the Union
~ any Of which Of the proposed effects is the
of Of the parties of the nation upon the
uins Of the other It is impossible to shut eyes to the
existence Of such expectations There is glmmering Of
hem through the remarks Of the gentleman from Pennsy
'ana, (Mr Ross.) They revealed to clearly
the daily cosmns Of paper published in this city What,
hen will be the character of your majority Suppose that
shall be found to be composed of almost the entire South
md Of lust sufficient number Of Northern Democratic
ers to ensure the passage Of the bill In such case the
MEASURE would present two popular aspects the
ona the other partisan Is there not them danger that
may thus force of the great parties at the Moth into
position Of slavery agitation That it may be joined
only by all the abolitionsts and ee-oiers, but by
arge section Of the other party That the cry of "rspea
nay be raised And that, all other questions being merged
THE parties geographically divided may take the place
the present national parties and the unhappy sectional
controversy already existing thus reach height danger
than ever should deeply regret this but should be
oweress as an individual prevent it, fear those vastly
ny superors might be equally poweress If there be those
Who look without regret TO such state Of things certainly
m not Of them point the danger that il may be averted.
There is another recommendation which the plan of the
resident possesses If the people Of New Mexico be ready
nd willing, believe they are to come into the Union
ow the spirit Of treaty with Mexico appears to demand
heir admission know that the treaty says they are to DO
Omitted " at the proper time, 70 be Judged by the Con-
But though Congress the judges they are not to
ldge capciously the rule Of action prescribed What
the proper time !" To ascertain it must have refer
nee to the general Of Government New Mexico
as now population with which State has ever been re-
,sed admission into the Union-a population more than
efficient ene her TO one member OF the house OF repre-
snges Can we reject her account OF the character OF
e population 1t is her citizens not Americans BY
irth but they are Americans by treaty and DO not think
lat in the spirit of the treaty can make discrimination
pans them for that If these sufficient grounds
= her rejection her admission may be delayed indefinitely
he proporon which her numbers bear to the representative
tito is not likely increase is probable that the
,aacter Of her population will essentially change, since
,ere is nothing to carry Americans there with without
~ particular species Of property doubt whether her case
ill be stronger fifty years hence than il is now
These them are the recommendations of the policy OF the
resident II is demanded by the spirit Of treaty il rests
constitutional principle involves sectional triumph,
aures no abandonment Of principles il settles the question II
vocab ques agaon and restores harmony to the Union
Is there any reason why the South should reject What
that YOU desire The preservation Of the Union upon
.st terms? That is, doubt not what the great majority
you and majority perhaps still greater Of your consitu-
ITS sincerely desire Well in this way, you will preserve
I'd strengthen the Unions and you cannot dispute the JUS
ce of the terms They in accordance with principles
hich the South has always proclaimed and which especially
ave received the emphatic sanction Of the imminent ndv
nal-who was Southern if any thing be so-whese death
have lately deploed Do you desire to enjoy your pro-
erty at home in quiet and without agitation You will
attain that end. Many Southern gentlemen have sad
Nj c,.IS koe~n