Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-05-16

tain this equality between sections IT,
present state Of the nation con be cxpla,nci .ne
few words. The Congress Of the United ST..
isnow about to lcgislate upon the territories
qnlred by her in her recent contest with Me-
This legislation may amount to the admisyio.eo,
these territories into the Union, with the 49,, u
and privileges Of the States. Should these to-.
tories be thus admitted, the power of the All;
slaYehoIdins States viii necessarily be increasai
since the sentiments Of the people of those IT,
tories are opposed TO slavery in all its asncc, II
These sentiments they have expressed, and =.
only have they been expressed, but one Of ,ha ao'
asks to be admitted, with Constitution con,a;a
ing direct provision against the institute, -
slavery. The obligations, created by the trea,,.
make IT the duty Of Congress TO lcgislate for a.
territories, IN such "A manner as to provide an of
Gent and operative government for the tcrr;'a'.
acqulredby the United States; and the co,o..,
principles OF our government require. ,6st III
people Of the territories should decide nnor III.
government, which is 10 regulate their r,,n ,a'
operations as a State. Governments mrv, ~
made for these territories, and ifthe neorjo
thereof insert into the plan of governnr,, f .,e
ant-slave provision, Congress has no mower .,
erase IT. hence, the formation of States nm, "
New Mexico and California, will be an act te,9
ing TO increase Northern power by enIaroina H..
number OF antl-Slave States. But ConGrcss :;
view OF this prospective enlargement of Tho nov,
er OF the anti-savc States, falls back unnn ,Sa
provisions of treaty made at the annexation ~
Texas, and contempateS the enlargement of,ba
powers ofthc slave States, by creating new STAT
out OF Texas, which, in accordance with thc nros
ent condition Of Texas, will be slave States Tho
creation Of new States out OF the State of Texas
is he only possible manner in winch Congres5
can, at present, enlarge the power of the Soutb,
and in view of the admission Of Calirorn;, nav
and the prospective admission of Utah and New
Mexico II proposes to do all that it can 10 clrect
TINS end. This intention is seen in the plan of
compromise, ald this end is aimed directly at NV
! it.
But there is another way, in which inequality
would be directly promoted. The creation Of
states Out OF these territories must precede any
addition OF representatives in the general leoiS-
laturc, which their admission can make. But prior
to the admission Of territory to the endowment of
the rights OF State, principles can be at operation
therein, which will so prejudice the people as to
influence the election of representatives Thus
should the South succeed in passing territorial
bill, calling for the introduction of slavery. the
interest of the people would become slave inter.
est and their pref udices would be for the rro,ec-
ton of slave power. But should the North nitro
dace different policy, the prejudices created
would result in Northern benefit. Hence should
either the South or the North gain the predomi-
nancy, the interest of the people would be iden-
tiied with either one section or the other; and
the representatives., upon whom the choice will
fall, will be men prejudiced either in favor of
the one or the other. But the course pur-
sued, by the Committee deyiying the compro-
mise, tends to the promotion OF neither the South
nor the North. The provisions of the Compro-
mise are against the enactment of the Wilmot
ProvIso, and prevent the passage Of an act favor
able TO the South; they are neutral favoring nc-
ther the one nor the other.
The provisions relative to the District of Co
lumhla, are likewise equal. This District is ma
tlona property, and is common to both North and
South. What has been the course in relation to
IT The abolition of slavery in it, is sought by
the North and opposed by the South The wants
OF the North, in this instance, are sacrificed to
the pledged faith of Congress and the wants of
the people of the District. But the slave trade
in this District is also matter of contention be-
tween the North and South This question has
been decided adversely to the interest of the
South The whole action upon this case is briefly
5 summed up The North has gained one point
the South one-thus is the equality maintained.
, The other provisions in the compromise are de-
mandcd by high sense of Justice, aud W lille APP
ParentIy, they operate to the promotion of the in
tefeSt OF particular sections, when we consider
them with reference 10 other questions and issues
their bearing upon the whole Union is visibly
. ~ - '''l 'i''!l'e u"'s aPPleSldted, ANU
above all, their bearing upon the equality of tho
States sensibly traced
Now what Is 'the conclusion OF the whole
matter. The compromise sus,ains the equality
Of the States, by making Constitutional enact
ments. 1t thus commends itself to the adoption
= Of the American Congress, and the favor of the
American people. Not only so. 1t demonstrates
the power otthe Constitution to preserve the equal
ily of the States. And its adoption will deomn-
strate the will and power of Congress to maintain
and preserve the Unionh upon Constitutional prin-
: clples. Let The compromise be adopted and the
murmurs of ultraists and factionists will be hush
: ed. Peace and tranquility will prevail through
out our nation, uninterrupted, save by the I'M
founded complaints of disappointed asprants and
discontinued disunonsts