New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-05-20
The Territorial Questions and the vi
verse Plans Of Adjustment.

We have preferred TO let the discussion
in Congres of the questions connected with
Slavery and the Territories 90 on without
much comment on our part, but that seems
impossible. Our able Washington Core
spondent 81. S. P.' insists not only on can
vassing them with pointed reference to our
own views, but his letter herewith given
refers especially, if we understand its allu-
sions, to private letter we recently wrote
him avowing that we could not perceive any
such radical difference between the PROPOSE
tions seyerally known as the Presidents and
Mr.. Clay's as would Justify all the agitation
and excitement which were manufactured
or evinced in Washington with regard to
them. We invite careful attention to what
he has to offer ON this subject, and then to.
the following comments:
In order to determine the relative merits
of two rival propositions, we must first de-
termine what is absolutely and entirely
right; and we understand j. s. i. to agree
with US that the right course with regard to
the pending questions would be to
l. Admit California into the Union with
her Auti-Slavcry Constitution and her boun-
daries as she has defined them.
2. Organize the remaining country ac-
quired from Mexico into one or more Terri
tories, securing them from any possible in
trusion Of Slavery by the shield of the Viii
mot Proyiso.
3. Declare aud establish the boundaries
of New-Mcxico in such manner as to shield
her from the pretcnsions and encroachments
of Texas sc'thO@ paying the latterany com
pensation for her preposterous claim. If
we give up to Texas and Slavery all the
country between the Nueces valley and the
lower Rio Grande. to which she had neither
title nor possession until the arms of the Ma
ton wrested il from Mexico, we give her all
that she should have the face TO claim and
more than she is Justly entitled to.
Here, then, we have fully in view what
ought lobe done, according to our judgment
and We presume that of j. 5. F., If we
had the power to do as we liked, there need
be no question as to the expediency of doing
this or that other thing. Unhappily, how.
ever, it is abundantly notorious that we have
no such power. Gen. Cass, Mr.. Dickinson,
and even MIR. Webster, stand pledged not to
vote for the Wilmot Proyiso and with three
such States as Massachusetts, New-York
and Michigan divided and neutralized ON
this question, in Senate composed in equal
numbers Of the representatives Of Free and
Slave States, we are sure to be beaten there.
Southern Senators who do not want Slavery
extended, and frankly say so, cannot be ex-
pected to vote for the Proviso of Freedom
when Northern Senator'S stigmatize it as
irritating, unnecessary and evenunconstitu-
tional. That would not prevent our voting
for it whenever we had a chance, but it is
too clear that it cannot be carried through
the present Senate.
The Senate will not do as ,cs wish il would;
the House 1--WE trust) will not do as our adj
yersaries would have it. The two branches
confront and counterbalance each other and
thus tn, whole business is brought to
stand. In this dilemma, the President
Southern man and Shareholder, but fair
and we believe impartial Executive-comes
forward and proposes medium course,
which is not all we wish, but is far more
distssteful to our antagonists. LET u.s."
saws he in substance, "admit California ex-
-sctly as she is, and leave the Territories as
they are to await the progress of events,
AS soon as they are ripe for it, we win ad-
NIT them as States, with such constitutions
cas- they shall see fit to FORM
We consider this, in the actual state Of
things when ii was submitted, fair and
INST proposition. 1t ought to satisfy those
who pretend to doubt it that the President
is truly National in his views and purposes
and that he does not and never did pervert
the great power of his station to any section
al purpose. certainly not to favor the Exten-
sion Of Slavery. The earnest hostility OF
The notorious Propagandists to his plan is
a high ealogium on it and on him. We
honor and thank him for proposing it and
Cor his general bearing throughout the ex-
,;,sments and alarms of the Session.
Mr. CLAY has brought forward another,