Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-05-18

we observe IN several papers, OF lale date, IN
different parts of the country, remarks indicative
of surprise at the silence of the National Intel
ligencer touching the grave and delicate ques-
tions which at present engage so anxiously the at
tention of Congress, and contrast drawn between
that silence and the freedom with which other
journals at the seat of Government express their
opinions and comment on the various legislative
plans brought forward for the settlement of the
question of the day. Had the persons who thus
regard the Of the Intelligencer in this part-
cular as of sufficient consequence for remark been
long acquainted with this paper, they could hardly
fail to have observed that its Editors have
never been in the habit of volunteering advice to
Congress on matters of difficulty; having usually
found the good sense of the masses of the two
Houses-comprsing generally, as now, among
their Members some of the wisest intellecs of the
age-equal to the most perplexing emergencies.
However anxious we have occasionally felt, and
as we do at this time, respecting questions of i'm
,portance agitated in Congress, yet, conceiving
that our advice to Congress in regard to them
would be neither beneficial nor becoming, we have
abstaned with exceptions, from obtruding upon
the attention Of Congress our individual views upon
such questions depending before it. We say this
certainly without meaning to impute the slightest
degree Of impropriey to those journals, at the seat
of Government or elsewhere, which have thought
fit in the exercise of their unques,ionable right to
pursue different course.
Our forbearance from taking part in the discus
sion Of the questions which have inevitably resulted
from the acquisition Of vast regions of territory
I,,c L., ~ ,oct
blood and treasure of the eountry-is, therefore,
imputable to any thing but doubt or indifference
to the magnitude consequence Of the questions at
issue On the contrary, seeing that silence has
been misinterpreted take occasion to say, whilst
placing ourselves right upon that point, that we
have no concealmenis touching the various propo-
siiens before Congress for settling the slavery
'troversy; in regard TO which we are free to avow
that, eschewing Hltraism on that as on most other
subjects, appears to 10 be Of less importance
which Of the plans before Congress shall succeed,
than that some one Of them shall succeed, and
that speedily. We shall cheerfully welcome any
measure, or any series of measures, (incuding the
admission Of California into the Union, with the
Constitution which she has herself formed,) which
shall command majorties in the two Houses Of
Congress. Preferring the plan recommended by
the President to Congress, in his Message Of the
2lst Of January, as well-considered constitutional,
and Just-and offering fewer difficulties to be over
come than any other that is likely to succeed--we
snoud yet hail with satisfaction the adoption Of
any plan which would do justice 10 the political
claims OF California, and at the same time restore
to the minds of the People of this country the
quiet that has been unhappiy disturbed by the
peals Of dscord which, during the last FIVE or six
months, have been rung out to them from the
Halls of Congress.
OF the several plans which are before Congress.
we do moi think that the fate of the nation or the
peace Of the country depends upon the choice which
shall be made; and we no necessity, therefore,
for advocating with undue vehemence or tenacity
any one in preference TO another.