Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-27
MR.. MENTIONS LETTER.

In giving place to the strong letter of the Hon. VIII
LoUGHBY NEWTON, in support of his resolution, decar
ing that "he admission of California with her proposed
boundaries would be more ndefensible than the Wmot
Provso, it is due to ourselves to dsclaim being govern
ed by any such party bias he seems mpute all
who do not concur in his views of Southern policy
We have heretofore avowed with perfect sincerity GU,
determination to place this question "above party anC
10 sustain the Just and holy OF Southern rights
against threatened aggression without regard to ord
nary political considerations Had we been willing tc
hold in view no higher object than the success Of the
Wing party we should certainly have sought to pro.
mote the harmony fits action by cordially supporting
the policy recommended by President Taylor in his
California Message. But deemng that policy gravey
defective and unsatisfactory, though doubted
the patriotic motives with which was suggested we
not only declined speak in its favor but on the con-
tray have constantly urged the necessity of the Souhs
insisting some final and permanent settlement of the
whole sectional controversy The plan of the Admin
lstration was wanting in the essential quality OF fnaIy
and therefore we could not approve.
With respect to the particular issue between Mr.
Newton and ourselves, we feel little indispositon
pursue the discussion We agree so cordially with him
in the great end be attained by all Southern effort
the security OF Southern nerests-hat we are strongly
dsnemed farther to attempt refut alton of his position
from winch we dissent. To his inquiry for the ground
upon which we think the Wilmot Proviso more indie
tenslbe than the admission of California with its pro-
posed boundaries, we shall therefore make ve,y brief
answer.
The Wimot Proviso is resisted with unanimity by the
South chiefly because OF the principle which it asserts
that the poaoer of the Federal Government to govern
the Territories may be exercised under the Constitution
TO assai the institution Of slavery Until the discovery
OF gold in California raised the price of labor there to
rates. it was believed by any considera-
BILE portion Of the Southern States that under any con-
Juncture OF circumstances slavery could be profaby
introduced into any of the territories acquired from Mex
leo The opinion that it could not be so introduced
was declared by Mr., Polk in his last annual message
without DENIAL SO Tar remember from any quarter
oil the South 1t was therefore, as we have just said,
prlncpte, and not practical grievance, which the
South determlnedto resist in the Wilmot Proviso On
the other hand the admission OF California either with
her proposed boundaries with boundaries that would
include the whole of the country ceded by the treaty OF
Guadalupe Hidago, would not involve the dangerous
principle asserted in the Wilmot Proviso Congress
has express power to admit States ltis admitted
also that has power determine when Territory is
prepared Tor admission and what shall be its boundaries
Ii Congress then should decide that California has pass
ed through the requisite tuelage and that its proposed
boundaries are suitable, the law for its admission wout
carry with it no assumption OF power which the South
does not concede, principle directly subyersive of the