The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-10
The Game or Faction, and the VIII of the
People.

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the agitators and disunionists of the North
and the South. They are the men who seek
to foment sectional jealousies and preju-
dices, to fan excitements, and to throw af
fairs into confusion, for no better reason
than that of embarrassing the Administra-
ton. The Wines seek to allay animosi-
ties, to avoid extreme questions and mea-
sures, and to adopt not merely calm and
constitutional legislation, but legislation
that will restore tranquility 10 the Union,
and disappoint the schemes of faction and
agitation. Hence the recommendation of
the message of President TAYLOR, with
regard to California and New Mexico.
Admit them to the Union as sovereign
States. Admit California when she pre-
sents herself with her constitution. Ad-
NIT New Mexico when in the fulness of
time she also shall be prepared to seek re-
cognition as a sovereignty and an asso-
ciate ..By awaiting their action" says
President TAYLOR, call causes of uneasi-
ness may be avoided, and confidence and
kind feeling be restored"
This is the policy of the Administration
and of the Wing party. This is the poll
cy of wise, prudent, and moderate men
of all parties and all sections. The people
of the country are not fanatics. Here
and there we find mailman, North and
South, who curses the Constitution and
the Union, but it is only here and there.
The universal sentiment at the North is
opposed to slavery; but just men feel that,
within the Constitution, and under the
Constitution, they have no right to NEEDLE
with it. They feel that they must take
the blessings of union, with what they
may be disposed to consider its evils; and
that they have no right to disturb the re-
lations which existed when the Constitu-
ton was established.
But, outside of the Constitution, and
with reference to matters not coptem-
plated by the Constitution, they contend
that they have right to the exercise Of
their own judgment and their own will.
But, even here, just men and prudent men
are not disposed to stand upon what they
esteem their extreme right, when the ex.
ercise of that right is calculated, much less
designed, to disturb the fraternal relations
and interests which exist between the
States of the Union. .4pices juris non
stunt Jura. We may have no doubt as TO
the existence of right, but very great
doubts as to the necessity, the expediency
or the wisdom Of exacting il with nice and
curious punctilio to the last hairs breadth.
No man. denies that the States have
perfect right TO manage their domes-
tic institutions for themselves. Congress
may pass as many provisoes as it may
deem wise; but the moment that CALI
fornia and New Mexico shall have been
admitted as States they will stand on pre-
cisely the same ground as all other States,
and may manage their reserved rights
and their domestic affairs in the same way.
What difficulty is there, then, in permit
ting them TO remain in statu quo till, as
organized States, they shall ask admis-
sion into the Union' Is it indispensable
that they should pass through territorial
purgatoyl There is as much constitution for
admitting them as States as for acquiring
them at all. Ifthere are any laws in the way,
the laws are under the control of the men
who are called upon to decide this difficult
question. With regard TO precedents, this
precise case has never been presented to
us; and the Congress of 1S49 has Just as
much right TO establish precedents as any
other Congress that ever sat. And as for
the difficulty that these people may suffer
in getting along with their existing institu-
tons, they have better law, and more Of it
now, than they ever had, and are perfect
ly capable Of holding together comfortably
enough till they can devise an organiza-
ton that can be received into the Union.
II there is to be any suffering in the mat
ter, it is better that they should suffer for
while, than that bad feelings and jealous
animosities should become indurated in
the hearts of the American people.
Viewed in its true light, there is nothing
in this territorial question which might not
be adjusted by half a dozen gentlemen
with power in the prcmises) in the time
which passes between the soup and the APP
Piles at dinner-table. As gentlemen, of
coursethey are taken obe patriotic and we'll
intentioned. We do not mean to say that
half dozen persons Of bad temper, i'll
manners, and insolent speech, could so adj
just it. Such men would open the con-
ference with calling each other towards,
liars, and knaves, and end il in breaking
each others heads, TO the great advantage
Of the general cause Of humanity. But