The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-30


In all the elements Of practical applica-
ton, or prospective utility. the proviso is
wanting. II amounts to just nothing; and
they who make the greatest ado about it
are most convinced of the fact. The ex-
element, then, which has grown out of it.
is sheer s'humbug," designed either to
serve individual purposes, or to foment
sectional hatreds to the frenzy of civil
strife. There must be purpose in this
contention beyond the seeming object in
view--a mischievous, disorganizing and
unpatriotic purpose, which it behooves all
sensible and considerate men to combine
against and crush forever, by satisfac-
tory adjustment of the question. If the
Union were goaded into dissolution by
such appliances as these, we would have
an illustration, upon sublime scale, of
the lion stung to death by gnat--of a
strong man maddened to suicide by the
buzzing of an insect.
How many 'sprovisoes' would Congress
have to pass before slavery could be estab-
lished in California; And assuming as true
what every well-informed resident has de-
clared to be the case, and every intelligent
traveller has confirmed, that natural causes
will control this question in the remainder
Of the territory acquired from Mexico, we
submit the question-are not they more
Irresponsible than the rest, for the excite
ment which prevails, who take the afirma-
tive side of an abstraction, and urge, or
assist those who urge, upon the national
Legislation an irritating and offensive null
|lity! We ask this question fully appre-
bending the embarrassments which sur
round members Of Congress from both
sections Of the Union, and in view of the
committals, which local discussions and
party rivalries have extorted, to extreme
measures. We are satisfied that if the
recommendations of the PREsIDENT's Cali
fornia message were carried out in its let
ter and'in its spirit; if those members who
have no sinister object to effect, no ultra
purpose to subserve, were to commune
together in the kindness and confidence
which the crisis demands of the courageous
and patriotic, there would be an adjust
ment of this whole matter, devised on the
basis of the message, which would leave
no sting behind for either the North or the
South.
What we have here said has been sug-
gested, in good degree, by the remarks Of
our correspondent, whose observations we
commend to our readers from knowledge
Of his resources, and the sincerity with
which he expresses his opinions.
ALBANY, January 25.
{ The public mind is getting uneasy and dissatis-
fed with the state of things prevailing at the seat
of Government. The question begins to be agitated
whether the North is not pressing the South unrea-
sonably, and without approaching or understand
ing the consequences of keeping up the excitement
on the subject of slavery. We are unanimous in
the opinion that there should be no farther extern
sion Of the ''instuton; that, for well I'M
derstood slavery ought to be restricted to its pre-
sent limits; but discreet Of both parties ask
themselves whether it is wise or safe to insist upon
the adoption Of proposition odious to the South,
to crafty mere pride of opinion, when the opera
of natural causess certain to produce the desired
result without its application Half a dozen new
free States to be asking admission into the
Union. The inhabitants will protect themselves
from itand for this reason, If no other, that they
cannot proftably employ slaves Why, then,
should irritate the South by insisting upon the
operation of principle unnecessary and useless,
and Of no practical force or application Why
keep up proftless brawl in Congress, to the detri
mcnt of the public interest and the interruption of
the necessary business of Congress- All moderate
men satisfied with the wise and statesmanlikc
propositions of the Presidents message, covering
the California correspondence. Our people viii
support their representatives In planting themselves
on that national platform. The existing wretched,
unreasonable, and most unnecessary agitation has
alarmed Of all parties for the fate of the Union;
but independent Of the ultimate and terrible ca
lamity Of a dissolution, which these signs porcnd
they imminent consequences Of vast moment,
which cannot be averted, in the subsisting agita-
ton. Il is clear to US, that there be no bcne-
fetal Legislation until this controversy is settled.
The operations Of the Government arc virtually
suspended, and all the wholesome measures that
we bad anticipated as the result Of General Tay.
lors election INSTRUCTED, II not wholly defeat
ed, If the North persists in an extreme course on
the slavery question. You're, &c.
OLD SOLDIERS MEETrses.--A large and enthu-
sastic meeting held at Frankfort, Kentucky,
on the 18th instant, at which General THoMAs
MrrcALrE presided and Colonel A. II. REssIcK
acted as secretary. committee was appointed
who drafted memorial to Congress, praying the
passage Of law granting TO all the officers, non
| commissioned officers, musicians, and privates
regulars, volunteers, and militia, who served in
the last war with England. part Of the public
domain TO be appropriated to them, according tc
their respective rank, just reward for their
vices, and calling upon the Senators and Reprcsen-
tntives Of that State in Congress TO exert them
selves in carving out the object of the meet