The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-01

| anu oCH -Poiscu WITCH Pditiodu iCducIs were
rocking to and fro; and the country took
heart from the example set them by its
Chief Magistrate, and the sober second
thought of the people has consigned the
"Wilmot'' to the receptacle of st-off
illusions, whilst the Nashville convention
promises to be an idle pageant, harmless
to all except those who assist in its pro-
ceedings.
| This happy and hopeful change in pub
lie feeling is all the work Of the PREsI-
DENTS California message. During the
Presidential canvass, and since, he has
endured patiently and without murmur
the vilest assaults from both Northern and
Southern agitators, because he would
identify himself with neither faction. He
held himself aloof from sectional contro-
versy; maintained his national position
against remonstrances, threats, entreaties,
and fattery; and he finds his reward in
the ameliorated tone of the controversy
and the softened temper Of the people,
produced by the plan of peace he has held
out to the country.
Before the message of the PRESIDENT
was sent into either house, distinguished
gentlemen of both parties had bestowed
much attention to the subject, and had
conceived plans Of their own for the ad-
justment Of the difficulties it had pro-
duced. The first movement made was
the presentation by Mr.. CLAY Of series
of resolutions in the Senate, upon all the
topics connected with the slavery agita-
ton. 1t must be admitted that these res
olutions did not obtain that general ac-
ceptance which the fame of their author
might have conferred upon them, or the
eloquence with which he enforced them
might have procured for them. They
were espoused by neither section. The
extremes Of each were not expected to
give in their adherence to any plan; but
we doubt if the moderate men of either
yielded them all support. Mr.. BELL,
of Tennessee, subsequently proposed a
plan, which was more acceptable perhaps
to the South, but which has not been form
ally adopted by any fragment. Mean
while we have had Mr.. WEBsTER's views
upon the whole field of discussion,
delivered in speech which performed
a noble part in correcting the errors of
| Northern men who had been led astray in
regard to the value of the "Wilmot'' in
the application which is sought to be made
of it; and in respect also to the duties
and obligations of Congress under the
Constitution and treaties made in con-
formity with it. Mr.. CAss, of the Demo
cratic party, as well as others of his po-
litical confederates, have addressed the
country and presented forms of compro-
mise. We are not amongst those who
ascribe unworthy motives to these gentle
men for doing what they have done in
this behalf. Nor do we descry necessa-
ry hostility to the Administration on the
part of Mr.. CLAY, or Mr.. WEBSTER, or
Mr.. BELL, or any other gentleman of the
WING party, who has spoken to the ques-
ton. The ambition to contribute to the
harmony of the country may we'll be en-
tertained by the proudest spirit of the re-
public. How far, and when, this sentiment
degenerates into selfish purpose, is not
for us to judge. The best may not be
without an alloy of this nature; but we
have not been commissioned to impute
bad motives for measures which carry
upon their face no faint Of treason.
The efforts Of the Senate at compromise
have thus far only resulted in the forma-
ton of committee composed of thirteen
members, into whose hands the slavery
question, in all its branches, has been
placed for the present II would be use
less to speculate upon what that commit
tee will bring forth. 1t would be idle to
PREJUDICE its work. But we must be per-
mitted TO say that whatever il presents to
the Senate, the message of the PRESIDENT
has alone made any measure practicable.
That document has cleared the way of the
"Wilmot' on the one hand, and the
| oOohutih OOuNtnliOh vi OlutI.
The field is open; the distractions are re-
moved. II the committee do tenth part
as much in framing a law for the country
as the PRESIDENT has in making way for
the reception Of any law, it will have per-
formed a noble duty. And in this con-
nexion let us repeat what we have Of
ten before said. Whilst believing that a
plan which has done so much TO remove
irritation would be the best to dispose for
ever Of the causes which produced it, yet
if Congress in its wisdom see 6t to adopt
another, or if the committee Of thirteen
present one that seems calculated to give
peace to the country, we shall not oppose
it. The first thing in importance is the
&C sattloroart of The ooDtrovoryv ~ acJ Al