The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-31

Again, in his message vi January 81, communi-
eating his views in more detail upon the subject
| before US, he says;
mo material inconvenience will result from the
want, Tor snort period, of government estab-
lished by Congress over that part of the territory
which lies eastward of the new State of California
and the reasons for my opinion-that New Mexico
will at no very distant period ask for admission
into the Union-are founded unofficial informa-
ton, which / suppose is common TO all who have
cared to make inquiries on that subject
50 Seeing, then, that the question which now
cites such painful sensations in the country will
in the end certainly be settled by the silent effect
of causes Independent OF the action of Congress, !
again submit TO your wisdom the policy recon-
mended in my annual message, of awaiting the
salutary operation of those causes, believing that
we shall thus avoid the creation of geographical par
ties, and secure the harmony of feeling so necessa-
ry 10 the beneficial action OF our political system f"
This, sir, is the great beauty, the browning grace
Of the Presidents proposition His is, in my judg-
ment, the only plan which gives "A triumph TO ne-
Their side Of this controversy, and to neither section
of the Union, and which thus leaves no just pre-
tence for the formation Of geographical parties
The passage of what has been called the Wilmot
| proviso would, we all understand, under present
circumstances unite the South one man, and, il
it did not actuy rcnd the Union asunder, would
create alienation and aversion in that quarter
of the country, which would render the Union
hardly worth preserving.
| On the other hand, sir, cannot suppress my APP
prehensions, that the organization OF territorial
governments by Congress without any anti slavery
clause, would only transfer the agitation and in
dignation to the other end OF the republic, and
would tend freshly to infame a spirit which we all
desire, and which southern men, especially, can
not fail to desire, to see forever extinguished.
Mr. Chairman, there must be something of reci-
procity in any arrangement by which this question
is to be settled But can see none, none whatever,
in the plan of admitting California, organizing the
two Territories without condition, and settling the
What concession does the South make in such an
arrangement? The admission of California?
cannot admit that there is any concession in that.
II there be any objections 10 the admission OF Cali
fornia they are national and not sectional in their
character, arising out of Irregularities in her pre-
paratory proceedings, and not out OF the substan-
al provisions OF her constitution. And yet, in con-
sideration Of this admission the North ID called
not merely to waive any anti-slavery action in re-
gard to Territories, but to sanction, as under
stand it, the positive introduction of slavery where
the South itself has already prohibited it. By the
resolutions of all of Texas above 36o 80 is
to be free soil; but by this plan to purchase
all this, and unite it to New Mexico, and then alb
| rogate the prohibition.
Sir the true ground for Cancellation is the middle
ground, on which both sides can meet without the
abandonment of any principle, or the sacrifice OF
any point of honor Such, in my Judgment, is the
ground upon which the President has planted him
self; and / cannot hesitate to express my belief
that if party feelings had never entered into this
question; if these pernicious and poisonous ele-
rnents could have been eliminated from the contro-
versy in which We arc engaged, the great mass oil
: the American people, from the South and from the
r North from the West and from the East. would
have been found ralying round the Executive upon
this precise ground, and settling all their differ
II ences in harmony aid concord.
Is Tell me not that New Mexico and Deseret may
y be left little while longer without government
d by sucha course. Better that they should go with
&C out government forever, than that our own Gov
ernmeit should be broken up! Better that they
3, should be sundered from eternally, than that
they sh,uld be instrumental in sunderng us from
of each oner But such alternative is involved in
MA he w no Terrific
Id res capable Of self government, and no sooner
We shall weave finally announced to them this policy
ne than the will follow the example of California, and
III relieve of all further responsibility
D. II has ,een suggested in some quarters that the
e, PresideE has changed his position and deserted
Ill his original platform This is not the first time
IN sir, suctR charge has been brought against Gene
or raj Tayk. The Mexicans proclaimed that he had
changedhis plan, and deserted his post, and fled
in from theefence Of his friends, when he made that
n masterlpnd matchless movement from Fort Brown
n. to Poin Isabel But they discovered their error
IN before E,ny days were over, and found TO their
r. cost thathey had mistaken their man. have not
It. the slightest authority to speak for the President
he wom il be parliamentary for me to do So IL
d, had; bull am strongly inclined to the belief that
ny those VIII imagine that he either has changed, or
r. means tchangc his views this subject, will be
be equally sappointed.
at For uself, sir, can truly say that adopt this
on plan in spirit OF Cancellation and concession,
be garding. a compromise worthy Of southern
Presideno offer, and worthy of both the southern
and nortern people TO accept.
ed knowhere have been many reproaches and
ia criminatns dealt out against some OF US by the
re ultraists the free States, for being willing TO
IN make ev, this compromise. Because we are not
E quite 80 rnpant and roysterous in regard 10 the
All slav provso Of its peculiar friends
~ VIC are chged with inconsistency, descrtion, and
= treachery Now, sir, am one Of those who think
that northn men can afford 10 be little forbcar
H ing upon va subject, without mourning any just
re liability touch imputations am Of opinion that
~ there u aple reason 20 be found in the changed
9, condition public affairs in the altered circum-
stances ofe case for the evident relaxation Of the
northern stiment the subject Of this proviso,
:, and Tor tbrnanifest willingness OF the northern
~ mind 10 acjesce in what has been called the
Ia action policpf the President.
= Why, sir,t the time that proviso was originally
H. proposed-abe time IL made the subject Of
n such ardent 'otestations Of uncompromising de-
he Vot0n-whatas the state Of the country and Of
M the question We were then at war with Mexico,
lee and with the irongost 10 apprehend that
al this war was TOE pressed even TO the extinction
h and absorpuoH the whole Mexican republic. A
no vast undehnedatension Of territory thus in
Tor prospect, upon hich slavery was, or not, 10
be planted and e,blished That war. thank Hea.
~. ven, has been bright 70 a close We are now at
peace and what more, sir, the treaty Of peace
Re. has zen 90 Hrard, and the boundary line 90
nd run thst, hough may hesitate 10 admit that
r. Nature has eNerywre settled the question against
nd slavery, we must !, all perceive and acknow-
iedge mat the terrry which has been acquired
holds out but little imperative temptation or in
est ducement TO its introc-ton.
"A w nat else has oceusd' Why, sir, at the time
L. We an committed CURVES holly 70 the support
~ on the proviso, no goyeucnt had yet been estab-
ny lshed In Oregon, and ,rnose had been erhlited
D. 10 insist upon the right alaverv 10 go there Since
30 then, the principles Of uordinapce of I7s7 have
~ been extended by solen Enactment over that
are whole territory.
ioe What further have we w,essed, Wbv air Cal
IN fornia-Caliiornia, a thOul,d fold The most i'm,
portsnt and valuable part ole ,erritories ACQUIRED
from Merico-hss settled ttouestidn for berseIf
m ana sPontaneously dedicatetihe treasures Of her
Of virgin SOIL and the riches Of hIna0uifoent mines
his 10 the labor Of frcemen forever
ost Sir, do not say that there 20 be found in ali
ess this the slightest Justification AN Abandonment
zen OF northern principle. But isbere not IL there
ore not ample reason for abater Of the northern
TIE tone, Tor forbearance Of norths1 urgency upon
IN this subject, without the imputat, OF tcrTivors.
hu- ton and nescbery;
~. think, sir, that do not underline the import
Of snce Of the great principles Of the orance Of 7S7
on and OF that prOyiso which prefer bacsforth W as
n sociaie with the great names Of Thans Jefferson
,on and Nathan Dane, and Rufus King, rzher thar
i with that Of any public man Of the prsent1ay
I'm however distinguished and notorious re may ave-
the become But can never put the question OLE
yet tending slave soil the same footing with on o
ny directly increasing slavery and multiplying saes
ca II positive issue could ever again be made upo
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