The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-02
The Territorial Agitation.

OIL tne slavery qucStOn upon GROUNDS
which will leave no sting behind, is Sc
cond only to the paramount duty of dis
posing Of it forever. The good neighbor-
hood of the several States, and the cordial
fellowship of the citizens of the various
sections of the Union, are equally deserv-
ing of the consideration of statesmen with
the preservation Of the Federal compact
itself. Hence, when sectional animosi-
ties have been inAamed to dangerous
heat, it becomes all parties so to conduct
themselves as to render reconciliation
attainable upon terms which will not COM
promise the character Of either division.
That both the North and the South, or
individuals who assume to speak for them,
have strayed away from the paths of pru-
dence; that both sections have, in con-
sideration alone Of their real or supposed
grievances, taken positions which menace
the peace of the country, is truth which
should be continually borne in mind by
those entrusted for the time being with
tue ueStlHleS Oh the htpuDHC.
In contemplating the difficulties which
beset each section, would it not be well
for both to regard themselves as having
been amenable to the imperfections which
make it ssmortal to err" for both to par
don something to the frailties of human
reason; and for both to abate something
for the cause of constitutional liberty
Should this Republic, from any cause,
perish, there will be in the wide world
no other to encourage the hopes or direct
the footsteps of the seekers after freedom.
With the obliteration of the blazonry of
the national escutcheon, the last ray of
hope for the regeneration of mankind will
be extinguished.
Now that the North and the South find
themselves arrayed against each other in
attitudes of menace and defiance, little
moderation in considering the causes
which have produced this state of things,
trifle of charity in constituting the con-
duct Of others, and reasonable courage in
criticising their own action, would show
how infinitely Insignificant when COM
pared with the consequences they portend
are the real grounds of difference between
them.
II cannot be doubted that matters of local
agitation have been stimulated into ma
tional consequence, by those who de-
signed them to have no such extended
bearing. The excitements of political
canvass, the rivalries Of party, the zeal Of
individual contestants, have alike conspired
TO precipitate questions upon the national
Legislature which do not properly belong
there whilst the enthusiasm Of resistance
TO imaginary evils, and the susceptibility
Of endangered interests, have induced
many TO commit themselves TO measures
beyond what the sober judgment would
accept as a satisfactory adjustment of the
points in dispute. Were both parties to
sound truce TO recrimination and threat,
and consider their relations towards each
other in connexion with a candid review Of
the past, and a hopeful contemplation Of
the future, there would be an easy remedy
for the present crisis.
The course taken by President TAYLOR in
relation to the Territories of California and
New Mexico was adopted in good faith to-
wards every interest in the Union. The
action Of the convention in forming a
Constitution, in relation TO the domestic
institutions of the State, was purely acct
dental in so far as any power was exerted
by the Government 10 coerce a decision
one way OF another. The more the pre-
else condition of affairs on the Pacific is
known, the clearer will IL be seen that the
people interested had resolved upon form
ing a constitution for themselves, before
the wishes Of the Administration were
known to them; and that they disposed Of
the subject Of slavery to suit themselves,
and to please no one else. The accept
ance Of this constitution by Congress, il
would seem, is recommended by the doc
trine, upon which the South has ever
stood, that the people themselves, in form
ing State constitution, are also competent
to decide upon the character Of their do
mestic institutions.
In relation to the remainder of the ter
ritory, there are many considerations
which make il inexpedient TO form terri
torial governments at this time. Is il
right for Congress TO PREJUDICE the claim
of Texasi In forming boundaries for a
territory, the title Of Texas, which Mr..
CLAY admitted was plausible one, will
be compromised by Congress. Were
New Mexico admitted as State, the
question Of boundary would at once un.
dergo judicial investigation.
In respect to the people Of New Mexi
co, they are mostly the ancient population
There has been little or no emigration there
oinca The traaiv of rooe,on Tho inhoh