Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-26
EDITORIAL. CORRESPONDENCE.


administration, though somewhat Modified at the
close by distinction drawn between 'the honest
old soldier himself and the designing Cabinet by
whom his own good impulses are circumvented,
was an untimely and unfortunate party demonstra-
ton and one that must necessarily be met as such.
Our Democratic friends of the South constantly
tell us, and tell truly, that the great issue be-
tween the North and the South is aquestlon "aboye
party Why then did Mr. Howard, of Texas, so
far as he could, mar the effect of MIR. Clingman's
declaration of Southern rights and resolution, by
affirming, Immediately afterwards, that while he
was glad to have the cooperation of the gentle
man ON the sectional question: it must be remem-
bered that the Wing party and Gen. Iayior were
altogether responsible for the present unhappy
state i? And why does Mr.. Seldom, the following
dav, undertake to affirm that the President has
been guilty of fragrant violation OF the constitu-
ton. in inviting the people of California 10 frame
State government for themselves? The reply
must come, that Mr.. Polk, and those who spoke
by his authority in Congress, used every exerton
to procure the passage of Mr.. Douglass bill for
admitting California Us a State; that after Con
gress failed to pass that bill or any other providing
California with Government, he instructed Col
Mason to hold orer, as civil Governor, presunaing
the consent of the people of tine Territory to his
exercise of authority that before Gen. Taylor'a
policy was made known in California, General
Riley, with the advice of Col. Mason, whom he
succeeded, had actually prepared his proclama-
lions giving the invitation complained Of The adj
ministration will farther be defended on the indie
l. al,
to California there universal apprehension OF
the Terrtorys being visited with all the horrors of
anarchy, unless some remedy should be pro-
yided This remedy General Taylor found in
the enforcement of the Mexican municipal forms
but justly anticipating that these would not be
satisfactory to the people, he recommended them
TO organize a plan of State government, to be sub
lnitted to the acceptance of Congress neither at
tempting to bias their choice, nor suggesting the
boundaries they should adopt for their new State,
nor presuming to PREJUDICE the final action Of Con-
gress When their Constitution shall have been
presented, it will be perfectly within the power OF
Congress to reject it entirely, or if the boundaries
assumed be Objectionable, to accept it with pro-
per curailment of them The conduct of the
President, in this NATTER be shown to have
been patriotic throughout.
What the policy of the South may be, as re-
CARDS the admission of California, is another ques-
ton Many think it highly unwise to admit it, I'M
less the slavery question in the other Territories
can be, at the same time, finally settled They
argue that it will only to give the free States
Two additional Senators, and to carry the Wilmot
Proviso at the next session OF Congress. On the
other hand, it may well be asked whether we gain
any thing by the refusal We cannot deny the
right of admission at such time, as all are agreed
that the Territory contains population enough
and makes its application in the proper lorfn Mean
while, have we any means OF forcing settlement
of the slavery question? Our claim is, that thu
NORTH shall imply f,.1eor positive aggression
and, heretofore, we have only stood ready to ress
ii when it should be perpetrated How can fnaH
tyof the difficulty be secured, by merely rotin&
against admission? We have not votes enough
. We have never assumed the ground that the ad
mission Of free State, free its own choice, i
cause of resistance. 1t is, indeed, in the power O
Southern representatives to stop the wheels o
government by preventing the House from doing
any business. This seems to be the only method
of ayerting the admission of California If South
ern members prepared for this last resort, it is
time for them TO put an end TO mutual recrmina-
lions.
Gen Cass's great demonstration in the Senate
while it establishes his opposition to the Wijmot
Proviao, places him directly at war with Mr.. CAL
houn, and, what is of more interest, eonclusively
confirms the Southern Wing construction of the
Nicholson letter. We contended upon that let
Ter, in ls4s, that the Virginia Democracy had pre-
cluded themselves from the support of General
Cass, by their pledge to vote for no candidate who
admitted the right OF the people of Territory,
during the Territorial condition. to prohibit slave
~. The Democrats denied our construction, and
affirmed that he referred only to the people when
they were in the act of forming State Constitu-
ton Now, he comes forward to construe him
self, Gas he refused TO do for Mr. Moses, of Flori-
da,) and hear what he says:
1T follows, from these views THAT THE TERRITORIAL
LEGISLATURES possess full authority oper all the con-
OF e over the relations OF husband and wife, OF
parent and child OF guardian and ward, and if the in
terposuon OF Congress is unconstitutional, las he
CUES throughout his speech that isl ouer the relations
Of master and serDant including the condition Of SID
pery. Hence, then, the objection haze so often
heard repeated that THESE LEGISLATURES cannot act
upon thas subject, because Congress. having power
real foundation IT. indeed there is any Constitutional
prohibition, direct fairly implied which opposes their
exercise OF this power then oil course whhe Id from
them As that question Is not in my way, | shall NOT
rurn aside seek it, but shall content myself eith san
ing THAT l SEE NO SUCH PROHIBITION, AND THAT BE-
IIEvE THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORIES HAVE JUST THE
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATES HAVE
THAT 1T is A PART OF THEIR POWER
OF LEGISLATION, OF WHICH THEY CAN
NOT JUSTLY BE DEPRIVED. Let him who
seeks deprive them OF il turn TO great charter
and put his finger upon the restriction. -" Lnos Re
port.
Let the members of the Richmond Democ ratio
Convention, of February, 1913, put on their con
aidering caps, and see whether they can make any