The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-06

signing and ambitious politicians, to prevent all
useful and necessary Legislation by Congress, until
as they say, this '.momentous question of slavery
shall be ssttIed'-tbat is, until such bill as they
themselves desire shall be passed This is what they
mean by a settlement" They have not only de-
termined that modification of the existing tariff
shall take place. but also that the wheels of Govern
Inent shall be stopped, by refusing all appropra-
tons. This they expect 10 accomplish by factious
motions to adjourn, calls of the House, ayes and
noes, &c, and not by fair, open, manly argument,
true republican test of the merits Of any particular
measure. Should this nefarous plot be attempted,
il will be for the people of this country TO take the
safety and honor of this glorious Union into their
own hands, and purge the halls of legislation of
this vile spawn, by eecting those who arc willing
u legislate for the common good.
trust the people OF Pennsylvania will speak out
boldly and fearlessy at their primary meetings,
their county and State conventions, and on all
proper occasions, this subject This British tariff
of should be modified so as to furnish fair and
just protection to American labor, Notwithstanding
the ren0nsance of the British minister against such
modification. Liberal appropriations should be
made for the improvement OF our rivers and mar
bors. California should have been admitted into
the Union months since, and il ipoud have been,
had the usual and ordinary rules OF Legislation been
applied. She is entitled TO admission by every
sideraton of policy and justice, alone and uncon-
nected with all other questions. The last Congress
then formed State constitution, republican in its
character, and now applies for admission into this
Union a sovereign State. She has been knoc king
at doors for more than four months. Her Sena-
and Representatives have been kept standing
in the outer halls, until the feelings of injustice,
disappointment, and degradation are rapidly TAX
ing possession not only Of their hearts, but also the
hearts Of the people they represent. During all this
time we are collecting millions OF dollars from them
in the shape of duties without rendering them the
slightest equivalent. This, under the circumstan-
odious form.
But the same factious spirit to which have be-
fore alluded opposes this just measure without
coupling with it questions which have no natural
necessary connection with it whatever. II is diff
icult to perceive any thing in her application for
admission which should subject her to the dangers
and delays OF a compromise. II she Is entitled 20
admission into the Union, let her be admitted If
not, let her be rejected. AS to New Mexico, she
has the same local laws in substance, under which
her citizens have lived for half century, and
which are better adapted to the wants and condi-
tons of her people than any laws which we could
enact if pcImitted to do so, they will soon form a
State government and apply for admission into the
Union. BY adopting this course, all agitation
would cease, and neither section OF the Union
would be called upon to make any sacrifice of prin-
ciple.
With regard to the Texas boundary question, ]
have to say that if that portion of New Mexico ~
ing east Of the Rio Grande belongs to Texas, let her
have it,, for one, do not wish to purchase It, We
have already about fifteen hundred millions of
acres Of public lands which, il would seem, should
be sufficient for our present purposes. II II does
mol belong to Texas, we ought not to pay her ten
millions, or any other sum, for what already be-
longs to us. That question ought to be, and would
be, decided by the Supreme Court of the United
States, if New Mexico were admitted into the Union
sovereign State.
AS to the reclamation of fugitive slaves, all, of
every creed and party, admit the obligations i'm.
posed by the Constitution, and stand ready at all
times TO fulfil those obligations, by enacting all ne
cessary and proper laws for that purpose.
AS much as has been said about the loss OF prop
erty by the saveholding States, will venture the
remark, that Pennsylvania alone has lost more by
the repeal Of the tariff Of 1912 than the value OF all
the slaves that have escaped from all the slavehold
ing States since the formation of the Union.
Lastly, in the catalogue OF compromises" comes
the question of the slave trade in the District of Co
lumba. This trade has been denounced by south
ern statesmen in the most unmeasurcd terms as an
unmitigated evil, alike disgraceful to the nation
and the age in which we live; as injurious TO the
stakeholder, by imposing upon him the most worth
less and criminal portion OF the slave population OF
the old States and, finally, .'derogatory to the
dignity of the system of slavery ITSELF
From this brief review Of the different questions
sought to be connected with the admission of Cali
forna, it is difficult to perceive any good reason
for such of legislation. Each measure
should be permitted to stand or fall by its own mer
its. This is the course recommended by the Prcsi-
dent, and the that plan is examined, the more
will its wisdom and patriotism commend il TO pub
lie favor; and will venture the opinion, that il is
the only plan that can be adopted by the present
Congress.
Very respectfully, your obedent servant
NJ. HAMPTON
To Messrs. Robert Morris, Craig Biddle and others,
committee.