The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-07
Crisis OF the Union-Mr. Clay and General
Taylor.

The recent proposition Of Mr.. Clay, compre-
bending his plan for the settlement Of the terrific
nal question which Is agi,ating the country,
has been transmitted every point during the last
week, and has elected every kind of opinion and
declarations along its various journeys. The rete-
ration Of his resolutions, and the further express
SION given TO them by the same distinguished
Senator, at Washington, yesterday and the day
before, will soon travel in the same direction, and
according to all appearances, will excite the same
dissatisfaction in some quarters, and content IN
others, that his first speech created. These two
speeches, delivered a week apart, in the Senate
Chamber, are only parts of the same great plan by
which Mr.. Clay proposes to settle the question
which is now agitating the republic, from the
shores Of the Atlantic TO those Of the Pacific
How has Mr.. Clay's project been received IN
Congress, and throughout the country Believing
the motives OF this distinguished man to be those
Of patriot and lover Of his native land, con.
vinced that he has more experience than i've
sixihs Of his colleagues at Washington. yet we
must be satisfied, from the expressions of opinion
with which his project has been received all over
the country, that the plan Of Mr.. Clay will by no
means settle the question IN relation to slavery IN
the new terriisres, which has. unfortunately,
placed the two sections Of the country in violent
and antagonistc opposition to each other, and pro-
duoed such state OF feeling az threatens ulti-
mate dissolution and disunion. The plan Of the
President, with which this great controversy COM
meneed IN Congress, was no plan a, all II lett the
question, the difficulty, the trouble, unsettled un-
touched, and liable to be taken hold Of by dcma-
gogues. and turned into weapons OF the direst
calamity to the Unionl Instead Of plan eadiag
10 any probable settlement Of that troublesome
question, the proposition Of the President looks
more like trap that was set for both him and the
countV-a trap that might, eventually, lead to
scenes Of insurection, blood, and disorder. The
plan proposed by Mr.. Clay Is better than that
offered by the cabinet for we do not believe that
the President bad much to do with the maagfac-
ture Of his own plan. le, the plan of Mr.. Clay is
osc comprehendlng historical views and certain
general principles. that we are sure will never be
concurredn by southern interests, or by the Soutk
em States.
Let Us explain. Mr.. Clay takes il for granted.
that by the very acquisition Of the new territories
from Mexico, the laws OF that republic IN relation
60 Afncan slavery, eth exist, and are paramount
even within our dominion. If this argument is
good in respect, Il mvs, be good in ALL By
the laws Of the republic Of Mexico. all other sys-
tens OF Christianity bu, tina, Of Catholiciy are
prohibited and prescribed. WIZ Mr.. Clay say,
mat New Mexico and California. row a portion Of
the ternioy Of the United States. are still subject
TO the religious exclusion and istoles.nce which
prevailed IN those territories durag their counec.
iion with the Mexican republci We Soo't be.
lieve tina, he will draw such ooaclas;..- from
such premises. Why, then. can he say. d., nv
the very act Of portion Of Mexico becomiag ssr,
OF our territory, the original laws Of Mex,co. Wa.
out reference to the laws Of this republic. pr.v.p
10 the exclusion Of any o,hersl
Bot the truth IL. that the Inconsistency Of such
views is not the only poin; OF d,Tc1l'y connected
with the plan propossd By Nc Clay Its well
Known that a system Of slavery or ssrvi,uIs has
existed, and still exists. in Mexico. which. although
different IN some of lie forms from African slavery
IN the souib, is equally as permaaen, and as efi.