The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-04

country is made whole--that though de-
layed longer than was necessary, when she
comes she brings healing on her wing.
The whole question, in its present con-
dition, is confined to the consideration of
the necessity of which We have been
speaking. Does it exist in that plain, pal
pable shape which admits of no doubt :
We have contended, and our opinions are
not shaken yet, that there is not that diff
ference between the PRESIDENTS mes
sage and the various rumored propositions
in embryo which many suppose. But,
when we speak of the PRESIDENTS plan,
we speak of il as a whole-as recon-
mendation resting upon principles. appli-
cable to all the territory in question.
They who contend for the admission of
California as part of the PRESIDENTS
platform, with any reserved purpose Of
lettering the remainder of the territory at
any time, either as Territory or as States,
with the "Wilmot," in our judgment,
abuse the name of Administration.
The Times will understand us as speak
ing our own opinions in this respect.
And the Times will further understand us
when we say, that we have not seen that
degree of acquiescence in the PRESIDENTS
plan, as whole, which satisfies us that
there are not those in Congress who make
a point of the message for the admission
of California, who would not, after taking
that much by it, abandon and repudiate it
in respect to the remainder. We know
the Abolitionists would that the Free
Sellers would; and we have no great faith
that those who appeal to higher obliga-
tons for their legislative proceedings than
the Constitution, oaths, compacts, agree
ments, and mortal compromises, would not.
1t will be observed that compromise
based upon actiog in part, and non-action
in part, rests upon reciprocal understand
ing, upon plighted faith avowed and recog-
Missed between the parties such compro-
misses are the special children of confidence
and mutual trust. The question presented
in this form, with assurances that the
principle of the compromise or under
standing will be carried out with good
faith by the party deriving the first bene-
fits from it, in respect to what remains to
be covered by non-action, is one thing !;
but when the probabilities are that the
gamers will struggle for what is left, it is
different thing altogether. 1t is then no
compromise at all, but the beginning of
false play. Any one entertaining pur-
pose to apply the " Wilmot' to New
Mexico deals unfairly with the subject
when he invokes the PRESIDENTS recon-
mendation, in urging the immediate adj
mission of California. He would be deal
ing more fairly with the question to urge
California upon its own merits, apart and
in defiance of recommendations or objec-
tons from any quarter.
The insignifcance of the whole contro-
versy, in SO far as it respects any practical
effect upon the slavery part of it in the
territory in dispute, has not allowed us to
magnify the difference between the PRES
dents plan and any suggested arrange
ment, into the importance that has been
given it. The turmoil that has been pro-
duced by agitators, and the sectional dis
trusts which have been excited by fana-
tics and factions, are lamentable things.
They should be quelled, and with them
| those who make profit out of public dis
turbances. If the temper Of the times
was as reasonable and trustful as the re-
concentrations of the PRESIDENT were
patriotic and considerable, there would be
no trouble about the settlement of all diff
iculties. Taking things as they are,
| when the Committee of Thirteen reports,
we shall be found where our sense of duty
to the country locates us. We are not
gifted with the prescience that ascertains
what others intend to do, perhaps before
| they know themselves, and must there
fore pause till something tangible is pre-
sented. When measures come up for &C
ton, we shall go for them or against them,
as our judgment warrants. And, in this
connexion, we would inform the Times
that at no period have we ever presented
ourselves to the public as the organ of any
body, or in a manner to implicate any
one in the responsibility Of what is pub
lished in these columns.