The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-11


Mr. DUER, of New York, noticed remarks Of
| gentlemen who had preceded him, and said that
early in the session the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
| RooT) introduced resolution instructing the
Committee ON Territories TO report bills providing
territorial governments for New Mexico and Desc
/ ret, Incorporating the Wilmot proviso. He voted
TO lay the resolution the table, because he could
see no necessity for il at that time. His VOTE he
| knew, was an honest one, and, under the circum-
stances, bold vote He thought that in that mea-
sure there peril TO California and TO the Union,
and this was the opinion of the most eminent
| statesmen OF the country. He was determined not
| to incur this hazard, and acted on this ground
mainly. No man could charge him with having
| acted from a sordd motive He had been extern
sively denounced by newspapers for that vote. He
came here approaching the critical condition of the
! country, and determined 10 act for what he be-
eved TO be for the welfare of the country, for the
Union, and for justice, and he understood the
terms on which the Union ought, it is worthy to be
preserved. Is there meanness but in counting the
Executive favori Favor may be elsewhere sought by
unworthy acts, and there may be degrading motives
He had respect for the open earnest Aboitonist and
disunonist; but none for the man who, incapable
| of rising to high political distinction by his own
merits, sought by mean actions the rewards of low
| ambition. He might name those who misunder-
stood him on the occasion of his vote and he would
here state that he was willing to place the settle
ment of this question on the constitutional princi-
pie that the people of territory, in forming State
| government have right to establish or prohibit
| slavery, as they please. He was willing to consent
| to this before ne had seen the Presidents annual
message, or the special California message. While
he had considered, with attention and respect the
various plans proposed, he had nowhere seen one
wise and just that of the President; one which
had received 30 little support in Congress He
meant the principle to which the President refers.
1t is error to say that the policy of the President
settles nothing that it is non action. On the
trary, il settles the question, and is the only one
| that does The President proposes no details; he
| leaves them TO Congress. 1t admits of action, and
| immediate action. He willing to give vitality
| q q or N ri
| the people of New Mexico to establish a consttu-
| ton for their government as a State, and on the
| adoption OF such constitution to admit them into
| the Union. II was material matter, however,
whether State or territorial bill be passed, that,
as preliminary, the question to boundary
should be settled, that it may be known what New
| Mexico Is Pass such bill this, and the ques-
| ton is settled by an irrevocabe law.
| He would state another advantage. The plan of
| the President involves no sectional trumph-no
sectional advantage. 1t requires sacrifice of any
thing ever contended for by either the North the
South. II rests on no other compromise than the
Constitution itself 1t would therefore quiet agita-
ton and put an end to it. The question would be
80 settled to leave sting in the North or the
South. Let US compare this policy with that of
tablishing territorial governments. The bill may
or may not contain the Wilmot proviso. Its inser
ton would embtter the South, and its omission
| would be regarded as an abandonment by the North
of the principle to prevent the extension of slavery
territory free. Instead of this quoting agi-
taton, it would increase it to height never Before
| known.
| Mr.. ID. wished to invite attention to collateral
circumstances He alluded to the appeals made to
| the Democracy to unite for the settlement of the
question; and expressed the opinion that bill
passed by both parties only could quiet the agita.
| ton. Suppose bill should be passed by southern
votes, with the aid Of northern Democrats-would
that be q measure to restore harmony? Would it
not force the larger portion OF the North into po
stion of agitation! Would not the cry of s'repea'
be raised; and would not the Wings Of the North be
| joined by Democrats and Free-Soilers? Could any
| man, with twenty times more of character and in
| huence than he possessed, stopG Gentlemen may
be willing to make sacrifice Of opinion, and ambi.
ton, and principle for the purpose ofrestorng peace
and harmony TO the Union but what is the sacrifice
| when the opposite may result? There another
| reason for adopting the Presidents recommended
ton. Ii is demanded by the spirit of the treaty with
Mexico. If New Mexico wants to come into the
Union, can reject her because she has not
| population enough, or because of the character
| OF her population? All the inhabitants are not
Americans by birth, but they. are by treaty:
Is there any probability that this difficulty viii
be removed That territory now supports pop
ulation nearly as large as it can support. His
opinion was, that, fifty years hence, New Mex
leo will not have stronger claim than she
has for the representative ratio will not be greater
than il is. He repeated her admission is demanded
by the spirit of the treaty; and this involves no
compounds Of any thing insisted upon by the North
and leaves no sting behind. He asked the House 70
consider whether they would reject this policy; and
whys Do they desire TO preserve the Union on
just terms9 They are such as have been proclaimed
by the distinguished Senator (Mr. CALHoUS) who
lately died. II gentlemen desire to settle the ques
ton on just terms, what more do they desire Do
they desire toput an end TO agitation, and enjoy
1 their property in peace? This policy will enable
them TO do 50. Do southern gentlemen desire the
recognition OF principle Will northern men,
bers reject this policy, and put in its place some
| thing more favorable to the South !? Gentlemen
who willing TO dissolve the Union for one thing,
would dissolve IL for any thing. They are dis
unionists per Sc He asked whether the northern
Wings will not give peace 10 the country, if voting
/ for the policy of the President will secure that
end! Will they say that they will have the wilmot
proviso' They know they cannot have il. lift be
passed in the House, IL is doubtful whether it will
he In the other branch. IL is idle 10 talk about It,
1t cannot become a law. Why do nothingl Ifthey
approve the policy of the President, and believe
| their constituents recognise the principle which
the policy Is founded, why not give effect TO il nowi
They will escape impuation, and restore peace and
harmony TO the Union. Their constituents are
practical men, and will be satisfied IL they do all
they can. Action il certain 10 take place. II lie in
| eviiable All they have is the power Of choice
Action cannot be prevented. II IL for them TO shape
il, and say what il shall be. Their constituents
will not be satisfied If some other mode less accept
able be adopted. II his opinions cannot prevail and
he must act on territorial BILL he must vote for the
prohibition Of slavery. He unconvinced that
IL was unnecessary. He had heard some southern
gentlemen say they do not expect slavery will pre-
vail in New Mexico, but the principle Of not
ing prohibition IL Of importance in the South.
There is no danger that the North will involve US
in war for free territory; but should take care
that the South do not involve in a war for slave
territory. lie could not abandon the wimot pro-
| viso.
Il had been said that the policy Of the President
is the policy Of General Cass. The difference be-
tween the two IL striking. The on-intervention
Of President Taylor is, that the people have right
to decide slavery only in the form Of a State
constitution. The doctrine Of General Cass is,
that the people Of the Territories have the right
regulate slavery. The Presidents policy is in &C
cordance with the general practice Of the Govern
mcnt; that Of Mr.. Cass is contrary TO the practice
Of the Government.
In the conclusion Of his remarks, (of which the
above Is a hasty glance,) Mr. ID. spoke Of the obi
CATION 10 surrender fugitive slaves This II por
ton Of the fundamental law. If the Union was 10
be formed anew, he would hesitate about inserting
such n clause in the Constitution; but IL part
and parcel Of the compact, and they sworn to
support IL. II he believed with Garrison that the
Constitution was a compact with bel, j." nc would
be for dissolution. But the question was, Constitu
ton no Constitution; Union OF no Union He
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