The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-12-06


The Thirty First Congress has begun its second |
session. According to provision of the Consti-
tuition the present session can continue longer |
han the 4th of March next--only three months. |
The last session of Congress opened on the first
Monday in December, and continued until 3Oth
# September fonowing-making ten months, and
being the longest session we have had in the whole
history of the Government.
Besides the longest session, it was, also, the
most deeply interesting from the momentous and
agitatng character of the subjects which received
its consideration. These arose, in great mea-
sure, cut of our vast acquisitions of territory from
Mexico and the question of establishing or pro-
hbitng slavery in it. The institution of slavery
has been the fruitful theme of discussion and
troversy between the North and South since the
beginning of our national existence. Indeed, it
was the greatest obstacle in the formation of the
Government which had to be surmounted by the
statesmen of the Revolutionary period. The Con
4titution would never have been adopted, the Gov
eminent of the Confederacy would never have had
existence, but for the patriotic spirit of compro
mise which resulted in the incorporation into the
Constitution those provisions the subject of
slavery which are the guarantees to the Southern
States of protection to this great interest The
South is, it should be- jealous Of its rights under
these provisions of the Constitution, and cannot
with patience, witness any efforts the part Of
the North to interfere with this subject, or any
legislation on the part of Congress that may be in.
tended or calculated to affect their rights in
property which is in no sense sationa, but belong,
e entirely to the States in whisA it exists.
The consequence has hssn that, when it har
! become necessary to add new States to the Union
| the contest hetyyean the Nortb and Soutb on
subject OF slavery has again and again been re
newed, each occasion characterized by increased
excitement and bitterness of feeling. But for thu
E timely intervention and prudent counsels of tn
wise, patriotic and moderate men of all sections
the country even before this the antagonistc feenl
between the North and the South might have sun
dered irremeJably the ties which have bound to
, eether the Union The greatest battle, which ha
risen between the two opposite sections, since tn
Government has had an existence, was Tough
! during the past long and stormy session of Co.
4 gress. The victory has been to neither-neither
II the fanatics of the North, to the actionsts
e the South but to the whole country. The gree
scheme of Compromise, accomplished at the las
n session. has been triumph of patriotism over fac
y lion aud fanaticsm triumph of order a trump
= of the friends of the U nion OF the Constitution
nd peace anu hdIluOuY over lHOSS WHO see no BOOu
"a the Union, who believe the Constitution already
ne wreck and who would break the Conederacy c
10, the States into a thousand fragments that the
cd might realize their ambitious hopes ia the buildin
no up OF some visionary scheme of Government.
nd Congress now meets under circumstances yer
an different from those which existed at the begin
ming at the last session. California is a State
i, Territorial Governments have been given to Uta
e, and New Mexico; Texas has accepted III
it, Sl0,000,0OO the people Of the South have, in til
passage of the Fagtve Slave bill, guarantee
" protection against the loss of their slaves by e.
Gaping into the free States. These exciting que
tons have all been settled, The country, by a
'h almost unanimous expression of sentiment co
daily aequlesces in the settlement of them. II
ne people and the States now demand that their I
p representatives. in Congress shall abstain from al
st further discussion of them OF any question co
't- neoted with the subject of slavery. The count
m needs rest from the turmoil of these heated,
on Improbable and dangerous discussions. IL
nsandS rest and will hold to a rigid accouRtabil
he that demagogue, whether from the South or
10. North, who will attempt, at the present session,
ned renew the agitation of these dangerous question
,,, Such man will meet with meritsd and alm
,,s universal condemnation as one inimical to
us. Union, to the peace Of the country, and to
~ future happiness and prosperity.