The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-11-19


carry il through, il was nded in any and every
shape by which 1t could get another vote !; and,
finally, though not at all in the shape in which II
was originally introduced, the whole project, after
distrscting the country for long PERIOD and ef
fectuslly preventing the passage OF any measure
for the public good on any other subject, voted
down. This was long after the death of President
Taylor, and the dissolution OF his cabinet, and
when II was made apable TO the world that II was
impossible he could be the cause of its defeat. The
obstruction caused by this bill being once removed,
the way was opened for the first effective motion
toward the settlement of these questions which
was promptly made by distinguished Senator from
MarylaLd-Mr Pearce He grappled at once with
the principal difficulty attending the whole adjust
meDt The questioned the Texas boundary He took
that single measure by ITSELF made new boundary
line different from and more satisfactory than that
proposed in the Omnibus; and to him was eminent
ly-far more than any other-due the credit Of its
passage. He saw that this would lay the founda-
lion for the success Of the other necessary acts
Of legislation. knowing that it was impossible
10 lift the enormous weight of all these
incongruous measures at one time, IN one
mass, he separated them, and as other men
in ordinary lite are accustomed to conquer
difficulties, he resolved 10 take them in detail. He
did me the honor 10 consult me on the subject of
his bill before its introduction, and did not hest
tate to advise him to peTsevere in The course he
proposed. The result was soon seen. The bill he
introduced, unclogged by other measures, was
passed in few days without difficulty, and by
large minority; and | have never doubted that, if
mencement of the session, Congress and the ma
ton would have been saved six months of unne-
cessary distraction and alarm. Viewing all the
measures in common with this subject at this
time, as they passed Congress, am far from say
ing they were the best that could have been adopt
ed. The settlement at the Texas boundary by the
Judiciary, or the Congress of the United States,
President Taylor recommended, would have been,
in my judgment, more consistent with the honor
and dignity OF the government, and would have
saved us from the eflt cts OF precedent which will
be invoked On some future occasion, when some
State shall seek 10 take the law into her own
hands, to induce the government to submit to inn
position, under the preiext of buying peace. But
an adjustment OF the boundary by Congress or the
Judiciary had become inpracucable, in conse-
quence OF The encouragement held out TO
Texas 10 resist until she should he paid for her
acquiescence. AS to the territorial governments
of New Mexico and Utah, /, of course, would
he among the last 10 object TO their Organiza-
ton the principles of my own bill, which passed
the Senate two years before. Thee territorial
bills provide substantially for the very measures
had myself proposed and strongly recommended;
and, individually, was perfectly content with the
adoption Of my own scheme eff settlement. so far
as these territories were concerned. | should have
been satisfied with the admission, OF State govern
inert in New Mexico, as well as California, with
a constitution settling The question of sliyery ac
coIdng 10 the will OF her own people. But have
not yet ceased 10 deplOre, aud | tear that shall
hereafter have msch more reason TO deplore, the
failure Of the bill had proposed, on account of
admission Of California. So fur as regards Cali
fouia, the adjustment of the vexed question, by
submitting IL 10 the judicial tribunals, would, as
Mr. Polk affirmed, and as now repeat, have ter
minated the controversy forever, without any of
that dissatisfaction now raging in the South. Ii
was impossible that any Southern State, and es-
peeially mat South Carolina could have continued
the agitation as II now exists, with the voiss of
Calhoun, Butler, Burt, Rhett, and all the dis,ip-
guished men Of The delega alton of South Carolina,
IN favor of the bill backed by the votes of Mason,
Hunter, Davis, Of Mississippi, Berrien, and every
Southern SeDatorand Representative, except Messrs!
Badger, Toombs, Stephens, ard three or four others
The settlement of the question by this mode would
have teen final and conclusive; II would have been
satisfactory 10 ell parties. Our people are law
abiding people; end the whole proposition simply
was that both parties houd agree 10 60 10 law before
the Suplene Court Of the United States, and abide
The result. Duty, honor, and seltrespect would
have compelled ell sections OF the country 10 sub
NIT 10 the decision. No man feels himself dis
eraced by il, who is beaten in q law suit on sheer
question of law, after full and fair trial. The
measure would have saved the honor OF both par
ties, in any event. Leading Southern statesmen,
with whom ! was associated in the Senate at the
time, often said 10 me, during the progress Of the
bin through that body that, let the decision go
ii might, The honor OF The South was saved by the
tender TO her of fair trial before en- impartial tri-
bunsl, and she would be satisfied. But when ihis
bill was defested in the House, the impression was
Immediately made upon the Southern mind that, as
fair tiia had been refuse d, there deliberate
int. ntion on the other side to disregard Southern
rights, and tremple them in the dust. Ever since
The session OF ls7, that feeling has ranked in the
Southern bosom -
Haret lateri lethas arundo.
Ard now the edmission Of California, with a con-
sliiuiion prohibiting slavery, without The benefit Of
The TRIAL demanded by the South, has produced an
ali' nation irom the rest of the cOnederacy, among
some mistaken gentlemen in that region, which
pay to God IN his mercy, may soon give way TO
the more generous impulses which properly belong
To and grace The Southern character. And now,
my fellow citizens, have to say, that have seen
nothing in the measures adopted by Congress, 10
which have referred, which should excite any
portion of this Union 10 resistance against the
established authorities of the country, and think
II Is the duty Of every good citizen, whether he does
or does not think that other and better measures
might have been substituted in their place, not
oniy TO submit to the laws which have been enact
cd, but TO stand by and support the government II
necessary TO the NJ. extent OF his ability, In car.
tying those laws into successful execution That
President Fillmore will do his whole duty Ia thi,
respect, have not shadow Of doubt; and I bopc
You are all willing to join with me in sustafa-
irg him in the discharge Of that duty In his pa
irotisfn, and that of the members Of his cabinet,
have the utmost confidence. have ne reason 10
believe that either Of them would have refased his
aid, al any moment, 10 the settlement of these
vexcd questions on the basis proposed by Pre-
tidrnt Tal Tor. They have scquiesced in what ap-
pared TO Them TO be the only practicable scheme
Of adjusting thete difficulties They seek TO sus.
tain The constitution and The laws of their country
and honor thcin Scr their purpose. While they
tianu by NE Union khall be with them and for
them. II there be any one sentiment in my bosom
more deeply seated end more deeply cherished
than any and all Others It is that of love and vene
ration for the Institutions which our fathers have
left US, and for the county, the whole country,
covered and protfct by the American consiitu.
tion. There will be 10 hope left for me or mine
when this Union shall be broken up; and should
that melancholy period ever arrive, shall b.
wsLdefer without home. can take no part for
one section against the other To me the preser.
walton Of this Union is matter Of interest above
all others, and il necessary, shall be found true
to those who sustain IL TO The iss drop Of my blood
end my breath. California was denicd :. Congress
Tie protection OF the laws Of the United sis.ee.
1hrcnis Of sepsrAiicn began TO be uttered by those
who found themselves thus deserted: and To assure
them Of The paiernal care Of the government, and |
Us intentions TO assist them in any suitable /
mode, special messenger, Mr.. King, Of Georgia, |
was jesTatched to California. He knew and J
g N municsted 10 them the wishes a., tho
PRESIDENT for Their hss~''',iess end welfare.