The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-09-13
The Judgment Of Sage on tho Compro

The Judgment Of Sage on the CompIo-
We invite the deep attention ofall our readers,
and particularly those of the South, to the fol-
lowing article.
1t is from the pen of one of the most emf
nent men the North has produced; one who
has ennobled his country by his genius in letters
and adorned the very highest council known to
the Union. A man whose heart is as pure as
his head is clear: man whose patriotism has
passed through the fiery ordeal of an illustrious
PUBLIC life, and whose wisdom and ability con-
Quoted hun triumphant ly and blamclcssly along
the rugged path ofhigh official duty. Wewishw we
were at liberty to give his name, but he has long
since retired from public life, and is not willing
to be again involved in it.
II is impossible that such a statesman as
this can be an agitator, or aspirant Put con-
nected as he was with the men of the Reyolu-
ton, he has brought down to us its sacred fire,
and the light of his wisdom shines far into
the future
" IT'S the sunset Of life gives him mystical lore.
And coming events cast their shadows before"
TO The Editors Of The Southern Press:
NEW YoRK, September 5, 1860.
II would be highly ridiculous, were not the
subject SO deeply interesting, and the probable
consequences of the delusion so disastrous, to
witness the cool compacency and decision with
which we Of the North refer to the passage of
the Compromise bill in detail, which was rejected
in mass, as final adjustment Of the slavery ques-
ton. Even the few newspapers which have,
until ately at least, affected to defend the rights OF
the South, are now calling pathetically on Con-
gress to s'gve peace to this distracted country,
and quiet those agitations which threaten dis
union and anarchy, by adopting those identical
measures, the mere agitation Of which has pro-
duced those very dangers against which they have
thrown out so many warnings. This is what
they call settling the question: just as if the
actual infection of evil were sovereign remedy
for its anticipation, and men were prone to be-
come reconciled to injuries and insults the moment
they are consummated. They seem to think that
Congress, like the Parliament of England, is ON
npotent; that it control the interests and pas
sions of men at pleasure, and quiet the stormy
waves Of public discomfort by a piece Of paper,
signed by the Speaker, and approved by the Presi-
dent. i: M
For myself, anticipate no such consequences
from the adoption Of these measures, to give
peace to this distracted country, and quiet those
agitations that threaten disunion and anarchy"
The compromise of Mr.. Clay was simply the
Wimot Proviso in spirit, diluted with slight in
fusion of concession, more imaginary than real,
and cannot account for its rejection by ma
jority of the Senate, except the hypothesis that
it was done through an apprehension that its
adoption might pave the way to that elevation
which he has SO long sought, but never found
The Senate of the Urited States, however, after
rejecting the dose in mass, resorted to the Homo
pathic system, and swallowed it in delicate NOR
sells, though with many wry faces, and the spirit
of the old Wilmot Proviso, disguised in the tatters
of series Of State and territorial bills, is now
knocking at the door Of the Hall Of Representa-
tves for admittance
Far be it from me to underrate Harry Of the
West. He is part Of our personal estate, Of dis
tinguished character; and, though a Northerner,
am such a strickler for equal rights, that can
not forego my claim to share Of the honor of
being his countryman lie is great man-g great
among men, and still greater among the ladies'.
But, for all my admiration Of Mr.. Clay, / must
be permitted to express the opionion that his
compromise was not well balanced; in short, that
the concessions were all on one side, like the
handle of a jug. Indulge me while pass them in
brief review. Bg
w., - tLck
embryo of a State, California, from which emf
grafton from the South had been virtually exclud-
ed by the explosion Of the Wilmot Provso tor
pedo, and subsequently by an article Of its consti
tuition, was concession TO the South, but vital
concession on her part, had it been assented to.
The admission Of Utah without the absolute
exclusion Of slavery, was no concession to the
South, because the peculiar social organization of
the Mormons necessarily excludes it, except in
disguise, as it subsists in Mexico among the
Poems. That hopeful community, one Of whose
fundamental articles of faith is, that God has
given the whole earth to the followers Of Joe
Smith as a heritage, and, consequently, that they
have Divine right to take possession of it at
pleasure, seems to be a great pet of Congress,
monies with the laws, and the rights ofproperty in
the different States of the Union. Individual fan
atics already sufficiently dangerous without
the admission of Free-soil States.
The bill paying to Texas ten millions for the
REIMBURSEMENT Of portion Of her claim in what
is called New Mexico, to which the advocates Of
that measure affirm she has no right, is no con-
cession to the South. On the contrary, it is in
reality an aggression, because the territory thus
to be renqushed, was destined by the treaty Of
annexation to become a member of the Southern
section, whereas it will now only add to the
weight and number ofthose who are arrayed against
their interests and their safety. The South ,oiH
thus be called to pay portion Of the price Of It's
exclusion from all the benefits Of the purchase. This
is concession with veng eance.
The abolition OF the slave trade in the Distri ct
of Columbia, so far from being concession to
fbo 10 10 A hoI,t p,Sfv.