The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-02

The long protracted debate on the Compro-
mise bill In the Senate, now finally terminated,
will be memorable in our legislative annals for
the unusual length of time it occupied, and not
less SO for the ability and eloquence which il
Illustrated its various stages. The general sub
ject embraced in the bill has formed the theme
of discussion in Congress almost exclusively
since the beginning of the session in Decem-
ber-eight months since; the compromise mea-
sure reported from the Senate's committee Of
thirteen has been the standing order of the day
in that body for nearly three months
1t would seem that question possessed of
interest and Importance enough to engross the
attention of Congress for so long period
could not pass through the ordeal of such de-
bate without producing an alarming excitement
throughout the country. Yet the fact is not
less remarkable than apparent that the public
mind, with slight exceptions, has remained
free from serious disturbance during the whole
eight months of the slavery agitation in Con
gress; nor have the people of the United States
been able at any period of this Legislative ex-
citement to realize the apprehension that the
unity of the republic was in any manner en-
dangered There was more anxiety felt to
have the territorial-slavery question settled
and done with, than there was to have it de-
cided this way or that.
We should not be far wrong, perhaps, in as
crbing this comparative Indifference of the
public at large upon this subject to the belief
very generally prevalent, that the same result
would be finally arrived at in the adjustment of
the question, let the policy of adjustment take
one form OF another. In other words, the whole
country, North and South, is famiIiarized with
the conviction that slavery cannot, under any
contingencies of Legislation or of circumstances.
find existence as an institution in the Terrific
ries of New Mexico and Utah. BY the most
eminent men of the country, Of different sections
and parties, this conclusion has been formed
and declared; the best authorities relating
TO the geography and natural productions and
capabilities of the Territories 90 to the same
point; and with such evidence in view, so
strongly combinated, il is not at all surprising
that the common sense Of the country has be-
come pretty well satisfied that this question of
slavery in connexion with the Territories,
which Legislation has been vainly striving to
adjust by compromises and compensatons, is
already settled in advance by Nature herself.
The long continuance of the debate in the
Senate, therefore, instead Of ministering TO ex-
citement and provoking agitation among the
people, has rather tended TO demonstrate more
and more clearly the identity Of results which
must follow in the end, so far as the existence
or the non existence Of slavery in the Terrific
ries is concerned, whatever line Of policy in the
premises it might be the pleasure of Congress
to adopt.
The whole subject having been thoroughly
discussed and analysed by the ablest and most
eloquent Of our statesmen, while il retained the
form Of combined series Of measures, we may
now hope that definite and prompt action will
succeed upon each separate question that may
require legislative interposition.