Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-07-11
THE LYNCHBURG vIRGINIAN.
TowNLEy. SHIELDS & co, proprietors
LYNGHHURG. JULY 1850.
FEATURES OF THE AGITATION.

bates, that have marked the progress of the
Ipending question. The greatest dread Of the peo-
pie, was not Of the question, but of the spirit in
which that question was 10 be adjusted. Small
sectional difficulties spread into huge dimensions
by fawnlng demagoguism, deepened into broad
breach by intriguing aspiIants were feared as
the sequel has shown, not without foundaon-
The consequence is, that the country is distract
i ed, and not only distracted, but, at this stage of
the question, is literally aroused with angry feel.
| ings.
AT the opening of the session, the effort 10 adj
just the unhappy difficulties between the North
and South commenced. President, Cabinet, SEN
atorS and Representatives. all commenced TO pom
der upon the great issue, which was to be met
The plan of the President was at this early stage
the only plan before the country. No one was
startled at the recommendation Of the President;
in fact, all had held back for it. But when the
plan as advised by that high authority, was exam
med IT was found to be inadequate to the de.
mandS Of the people. II was not reached by the
Senate at as early a day as desirable, and conse-
Iquen'lv,ncw questions were presented, and these
new questions demanded immediate LEGISLATION
They were not covered by the Presidents plan.
Ills plan proposed the admission of California
Utah and New Mexico, whenever they shall ap.
Iply with republican governments But 1t was ne
cessary to adj uSt other questions. New Mexico
to be adjusted by the intervention of Congress.
And the importance OF this movement, the
present posture of the territory of New Mexico
and the State OF Texas, is stronger than theory or
the most profound and plausible speculation. The
South demanded the formation of bill, giving
greater protection TO that portion of her slave
property escaping into free States. The plan of
the President, however, did not reach this far.
II was requisite that more be done than was
IoJ 49, H..
ly, the whole Senate engaged in the effort to pro.
cure plan satisfactory TO the South and compe-
tent to meet the demands of the nation. The re-
suit oil much elaboration, care and consultation,
was the maturing OF the pending resolutions Of
the Committee of Thirteen. Now, we can see,
to these resolutions, no reasonable objection
which can come from the President. They do
all that he desires. They contain an identical
embodiment Of his scheme. Not only So These
resolutions, by embracing developments made
since the submitting OF his plan, remove insuper
able objections to his mode of operating.
There is in reality no distinction between The
Compromise and the plan of the President. Ex-
anime the plan, as advocated by the AdmnStra-
ton. 1t provides for the admission of California
as 1t ls Tins the compromise does. Utah and
| New Mexico are to gain admission whenever
they apply, with republican constitutions This
in effect, is provided for by the Compromise -
In TACT, the only difference between the Presi-
dents plan and the Compromise is this the Com
lpromse takes up the plan of the President and
enters into series OF detailed provisions which
make ii practicable Take the case Of New Mex
ico. portion Of the territory embraced in the
limits of this proposed State, is claimed by Texas
Texas honestly believes that the territory is hers
New Mexico honestly entertains different be-
lief, The President leaves New Mexico 10 erect
itselfinto State and prescribe its own limits
Grin other words, he discards the claim of Texas
and leaves New Mexico 10 be the tribunal which
is to decide her own disputes. This is clearly
injustice. II Texas makes a claim TO any por-
tlon OF New Mexico, we are compelled to give
her fair hearing. For this, the Compromise
makes provision which we shall hereafter ex-
anime. Admit, however the unquestionable
right oil Utah and New Mexico to the territory,
which each claims. Can they be Immediately
made into States Suppose Congress was ready
and willing to admit them Still there must be DELAY
in their admission. A convention must be called
and this convention must prepare its constitution.
This process will create delay. True, New Mex
ico has gone thus far. But the process does not
end with the formation of the Constitution The
Constitution must be submitted to Congress for
ITS approval, and yet we are not at the end. The
character of the constitution is an important con-
slderation. Indeed, here is the greatest danger
OF delay. The people of the territories are not
thoroughly trained in the formation OF constitu-
tons. And il may be, that when the constitutions
Of Utah and New Mexico shall be submitted for
approval, that they may be found to contain de-
fects, which will require corrections. Here is
one consideration, which the President seems to
have overlooked, -while this process is going
through Utah and New Mexico are without gov
eminent, II we except that anti-repubhcan half
military and halt-civil government, which is equal.
y as Objectionable as no government at all. The
Compromise, however, fuIflls the rcquisition OF
the Constitution, and provides territorial govern
ments for Utah and New Mexico. These terr;-
torial governments are mere temporary establish
ments designed to protect the territories while
engaged in forming States, and are not designed
to preclude their admission into the family of
States whenever they shall properly apply.
There IS, however, one objection to the Com
promise, which is operating 10 its injury, because
unfairly stated. 1t can be readily observed that
the territory, which is matter of dispute be-
tween Texas and New Mexico ought to be per-
manenuy disposed Of before New Mexico is made
State This the Compromise proposes to do,
by purchasing of Texas the disputed territory.
The objection to this provision is to the purchase
OF territory. It is contended that the territory is
owned by the United States, and, therefore, she
should asset her right thereto, without any offer
to purchase. This objection is based upon the
assumption of disputed point. We admit that
the United States ought not to purchase her own
| DrOpertV. But we are mot preporod ,eeo,, -,