The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-19

nNolves, and rom which there 10 no escape but IN
the total rejection of their plan, and the adoption of
the line which propose-the longitudinal line of
i02-which, corresponding with ancient title and
actual possession, avoids the question of slavery in
either country; which, leaving the population of
each untouched, disturbs no interest, and which,
in splitting the high sterile table land OF the Siaked
Plain, conforms to the natural division OF the coun
try, and leaves to each natural frontier, and an
ample extent OF compact and homogeneous terrific
ry. To Texas is left all the territory drained by
all the rivers which have their mouths within her
limits, whether those mouths arc IN the Gull OF
Mexico, the Mississippi or the Rio Grande: to New
Mexico is left the whole course of the Rio Puerco
and all its valley; and which, added to the valley
of the Del Nore, will make State of the first class
in point OF territory susceptible OF large popua
ton and wealth, and In compact form capable of
defence against Indians. The Staked Plain is the
natural frontier of both countries. IL is dividing
wall between systems Of waters and systems of
countries 1t is high sterile plain, sixty miles
wide upon some flvo hundred long, running north
and south, its western decliyity abrupt, and washed
by the Puerco at ito base its eastern broken into
chasms-cahoncs-f from which issue the myriad of
little streams which, flowing towards the rising
sun, form the great rivers-Re river Brasos, Col
orado, Nucces, which find their outlet in the Mis-
sissippi or in the Gulf of Mexico Ii is salient
feature in North American geographic table Of
land sixty miles wide, five hundred long, and some
thousands feet above the level of the and ste.
re, level, without shrub, plant, or grass, and
presenting TO the traveller horizon of its own like
the ocean. Without IA landmark to guide the steps
herdsmen of New Mexico staked their course across
il; and hence its name-EI Liano Esfdcddo-the
Staked Plain. IL Is natural frontier between New
Mexico and Texas; and for such line, quoting
all questions between them, all with the United
States, yielding near two hundred thousand square
miles OF territory To the United States and putting
into her hands the means OF popuating and defend
ing New Mexico by giving lands 70 settlers and de-
endersl am ready To vote the fifteen millions
which my bill fairly and openly proposes. For the
line in this bill would not give copper. But II
would be a great error TO suppose would give hf-
teen millions for the territory III dispute between
New Mexico and Texas. That disputed territory is
only a small part of what the Texan cession would
be. Ii would embrace four degrees of latitude on
the north OF Texas, and front OF thousand miles
on the Arkansas, and would give 70 the United
States territory Indispensable 10 her-to the popu
lation and defence both of New Mexico and Utah,
III front vi both which this part OF Texas lies.
The committee, in their report and the Senator
from Kentucky, chr CLAY0 in his speech, are
impressive in their representations in favor Of Civ
ing governments to New Mexico and the remainin g
part of California. join them in all they say in
favor of the necessity of these governments, and
the duty of Congress TO give them. mean terri
toral governments, and would not vote for State
governments III either OF them, even If they sent
constitutions here, do not deem them ripe for
such governments; they are too young and weak
1 for that They are III our hands, and upon our
hands, and belong TO US; and it is our duty to pro-
/ vide for them, and take care Of them; until they
are strong enough 10 take of themselves as
sovereign States. Both territories require govern
nient at hands and protection along with it,;
New Mexico especially, now desolatcd by Indian
ravagcs and suffering more in the three years that
she has belonged 10 the United States than in any
three years OF her exstence-even during the most
helpless period of the Mexican rule. The Spanish
government, under the vice regal system, appro-
priacd two thousand dragons TO the protection of
the internal provinces from the Apaches, the Nav
nhocs, the Cumanchcs, and other wild Indians. We
have "A few companies OF Dragons and some sta
tionary infantry, in sight of whose barracks these
Indians slay men and women, carry off children,
and drive away hocks and herds, sometimes thou
sands in drove. The Navahoes actually have
/ more New Mexican sheep now than the New Mex
leans have left. single individual inhabitant of
FL Paso owned more cattle and sheep when Pike
there in ls06 than the whole town and settle
rnent now own. Single inhabitants OF the valley Of
the Del Norte owned iocks and herds then nearly
! equal 10 those OF the whole province now. The
valley OF Puerco, then the sheep walk of millions
! is reduced to some two hundred thousand, and
becoming lees every day.
All this Is a reproach TO US. IL Is reproach 10
republican government in our persons. Ii is
appeal to US for and protection, TO which
cannot be deaf without drawing down upon our
heads the censure OF all good men. But this bill is
not the way to give 1t. These governments arc
baked by being put into this bill. They not only
impede California, but themselves. The conjunc-
ton Is an injury To both. They mutually delay
and endanger each other. And il Is argument
in favor Of the conjunction say that the establish
ment of government for New Mexico requires the
previous settlement of her eastern boundary with
| Texas. That is no argument for lacking Texas,
with all her multiiarious questions, even 10 New
Mexico much less 20 California IL is indeed very
desirable TO settle that boundary, and 10 settle il
once and forever; but it is not indispensa blity
/ TO the creation OF a government for New Mexico.
1 We have right TO "A government according 10 her
possession; and that we give her, to continue
till the question OF title IL decided. The uii posst
detis-as you possess-is the principle 10 govern
| our legisiaton-thc principle which gives the pos
SCISSOR right 20 the possession until the question Of
title Is decided. This principle is the same both in
national and municipal lsw-both in the case Of
citizens or communities Of the same government,
and between independent nations The mode 81
decision only - different. Between independent
nations II - done by negotiation by arms; be-
tween citizens, communities Of the same gov
eminent, Il Il done by law. independent nations
may invade aud fight each other for "A boundary
citizens or communities Of the same government
cannot And the party that shall attempt II com
mits violation OF law and order; and the govern
ment which permits such violation is dercct Of it
duty.
have now examined, 80 far as ! propose 10 do il
motion for indefinite poslpOnernent, the three
bills which the committee have tackled together
! the California, Utah, New Mexico and Texas bills
! There two other bills which have not men
toned, because they not tackled but only hung
on; but which belong 10 the SYSTEM as IL IL called
and withoutsomc mention 81 which, injustice would
be done 10 the committee ia the presentation Of their
scheme The fugitive slave recovery bill, and the
District Of Columbia slave trade suppression bill
are parts OF the system of measures which the
mittee propose, and which, taken together, arc 20
constitute compromise, and 10 terminate forever
and most fraernaly all the dissensiOns Of the sla.
\ very agitation in the United States. They apply
20 two out Of the I've gaping wounds which the Sen
at0r from Kentucky enumerated on the five fingers
Of his left hand, and for healing up all which at
once he had provided large plaster, big enough
l 10 cover all, and cficscious enough 10 cure all;
! while the President only proposed 10 cure one,
and that with little plaster, and il Of no cff-
/ cacy. do not propose 60 examine these two at
/ iendant or soqusciOus bills. which dangie al the
iail Of the other three will not 20 into them nor
mention them further than b say that The alterna-
tive in tho report 20 pay the owner out Of The Fed.
! cral treasury for the loss 81 rrccoverable slaves,
might admit, in practice Of abolition in the States
by the legislation II Congress and the purse Of the
nation and 10 supprcss the slave trade In this Dis
I trct as concession for absiaining from the ab.
clifton II slavery in this District, expressed ia
the report, page H. l. 70 make concession Of some
thing valuable, for an abstinence which we have
had Tor sixty years without concession, and st
10 have on The same terms.
Ths 10 the cnd of the committees labor-fye old
bills gathered up from our table, tackled together
aud christcned COMPROMISED Now compromise
is pretty phrase At all times, and is a good thing
IN ffsfII when there hauncua Ia he any uarttca III