Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-08-15
Defeat of the Compromise Bill.

The present Congress assembled under cir
enmstances of an unusual character. The ele-
mcnts of portending discord were visible in its
construction, no less than in the prevailing state
of political affairs. Statesmen of undoubted
abihty-nay the strongest men of the nation
were embraced in its numbers-but fanatacisn
was rife, and unity of action was found to be
absolutely necessary to check it.
In this state of affairs the humiliating anon
alv was found of an imbecile administration
with no party TO sustain it-having no well de-
fined, settled principles-with ''no friends to
rely upon, and unable to command the support
of the leading men of the party that elevated
il TO power.
This was fit opportunity for ultraism and
fanatacism to rear its head, and the manner in
which the opportunity has been improved, has
been demonstrated in the unfortunate condition
of our national affairs. II first manifested itself
by opposing the admission of California as
sovereign state of the Union, contrary to all
principles of Justice and established custom
Opposition to this was not based upon any OBJ
lections to the organization, nor lack of COM
pliance with any essential requirement on the
part of California-but it sought to be
made a rider upon which to carry through
more Objectionable measures. Territories were
calling for governments and border dispute
jnstment, and underlying these questions, in
dissolubly connected with them, was the sub
lect of slavery-the settlement of which was
impcriously called for by all well-wishers OF
their country.
The only prospect of an amicable adjustment,
at this juncture of affairs, lay in the adoption
of some Compron'ise-hence jealousy natu-
rally arose among distinguished statesmen, to
originate some measurable adoption of which
seemed destined to elevate its author to high
pinnacle of fame. The administration, forced
TO take stand, concluded upon a do-notiin 9
policy, under the cognomen of the President s
PAN, and amidst the disunion threats of the
ultraists of the two sections of the Union. we
find such statesmen as Cass, Clay, and Webs
ter, after vain individual attempts, co-operat-
ing to bring about adjustment of all the con-
ficting questions by uniting them in what was
denominated a Compromise Bill.
But this Bill, after about seven months dis
cussion, has been defeated. and now let us
glance at the history and the cause of its de-
feat
The wing press, committed to the support OF
the administration, had no alternative left but
to array itself against Clay and Webster, by
advocating the Presidents plan. But 10, the
President is suddenly removed by an irresista-
BILE power, and presto, change is wrought
The recently prescribed men are elevated to
power, and new administration policy must
be adopted. But the press is in dilemma,
from which it must be relieved This can on
ly be done by an apparent defeat of the bill,
such as it has received. The indications, are
however, that the principles of the bill will be
revived in another form, and that the admins
tration influence will be directed to its support.
The national instinct fostered by democratic
sentiments and sympathies, is Enthusiastically
in favor of some Compromise-yet we confess
that we have no tears to shed at the failure OF
this late budget of incongruities. Our hopes
are that California will be admitted speedily
into the Union governments provided for the
territories, without insisting upon the Proviso
clause, persistence TO which, at this period,
would inevitably defeat any measure,) the ref
erence OF the Texan difficulties to a Commits
s'oher Tor settlement, and Congress thereupon
i'tmediately adjourn,