The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-03-28
THE AGITAT0RS.

We DO not complain of agitation. SO long as an
evil exists, which Injuries the interest Of the COM
munity and obstructs or perverts the action of
i;s Government, there must be agitation The
friends of reform will seek to remove ii ; Quiet
lists, Conservatives and those directly interested
in its benefits, if there be any, will labor to sus-
tain it. The collision produces agitaton-it is
in itself agitation.
But we try the supporters of slavery by their
own professions, They affect to deprecate agita-
ton they long for repose; they would still the
excitement that prevails through the country, in
relation to slavery. Well, much of the agitation
that disturbs their comfort all of it that touches
their honor they can arrest by process, simple
prompt, and implying no sacrifice even of the
pride of opinion.
Admit California as q State, postpone all other
questions touching slavery, pass the appropriation
bills adjourn--and what is there left for danger
GUS excitement? We reason with Southern men
in their own language. The policy indicated can
be carried out any moment. The Wing men,
bers Of both Honsao f"oua tho Moth, and sha me
iority Of the Democratic members, would sustain
it. We do not say that it would be the best pol
Icy. OW ueulhilu IL, Nuc duulcSloh VI CaliAOi hlo
RS a State and the establishment of Territorial
Government for New Mexico, nth The PrOrisO IN
H. This is the two-fold object which ought to be
ACCOMPLISHED The non-saveholders of the coun-
try, with few exceptions, have constantly in
sisted upon it, Such policy would be manly,
reasonable, in harmony with the usag's Of the
Government from its institution. To its mainte-
nance, the Representatives and Senators from the
free States, with rare exceptions, stand solemnly
pledged But they manifest willingness TO
concede to the Shareholders so far as to separate
these objects, and insist alone upon the admission
of California, adjournng indefinitely the question
of Territorial Government for New Mexico.
How far they will be justified by their constitu-
ents in thus departing from the strict line of
their instructions, remains to be seen. That they
propose a concession is manifest. The Southern
members have urged, as their great objection to
the incorporation Of the Proviso in a Territorial
Government, that it would be a taunt to the
South, wanton insult, an attempt to fasten upon
it an infamy. The Northern members reply,
that what has been repeatedly done by the Gen
eral Government, with the assent of Southern
men, can be no such insult; that the Proviso is
not sought to be embodied in legislation as a
taunt to the South with view to inflict dishonor
on any section, but with the sole purpose of main
tanning in reference to free territory, benefcent
system of policy, established by the Congress of
the Confederation, sustained by almost every
Administration under the present Constitution,
and attested by an experience of sixty years to be
Just and good. But, say they, we are brethren of
4 mob In oil eoc
ri6ce of our principles-we cannot vote directly
in the teeth Of our constituents-we cannot over
turn the established usages Of the Government
we cannot consent to interrupt the presidents OF
sixty years this would be a wickedness too great
to be palliated an act of reachery too base to be
forgiven, an ignominy, submission to which would
prove us totally unworthy of the name of freemen'
This, however, will we dove will abstain from
all attempts to organize any Territorial Govern
ment at all agree with us in this policy, and you
save your honor which you suppose endangered,
and we save our consistency Neither party to
this struggle sacrifices any essential principle
and the only concession made is on our part To
demand more from US is to demand that We betray
our constituents and dishonor ourselves. This we
will not do If you insist on Territorial Gov
eminent, we shall insist on the Proviso. To urge
us to establish such Government without the
Proyso must be regarded either as wanton in
suit, or proof of deliberate purpose to propagate
slavery, or both You would compel US TO dis
grace ourselves by renouncing the policy of the
Ordinance Of l7s7. We will not do it. We will
waive all questions concerning this policy, by
postponing the question Of organizing Territorial
Government, but we will not deny and forswear
this policy. You have no right to attempt to
fasten such an infamy upon us If your sole de-
sire be to escape an insult, and have peace with
out sacrifice Of what you deem your honor we
have shown you how you may have it, Recolect,
too, you tell us that when a Territorial Govern
ment is organized by Congress, slaveholders have
right TO take their slaves within its jurisdiction
and under the Constitution, you can hold them
there Now, the local laws Of New Mexico are
in force, and they prohibit slavery You demand
n Territorial Government, then, without the Pro-
yiso, with view to change the existing state of
things, and secure to yourselves an advantage In
other words you demand intervention by the
Government, supposing that Intervention will Sc
cure 10 YOU the right to establish slavery in the
Territories We cannot consent TO give even
this supposed advantage TO slavery. we are
willing that things should remain just as they
are--this is strictly Observation-Disclosures GER