The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-09


to further into the future than any other gentleman
OF ordinary observation may IL be chooses but had
the gifts that others have had the powers like them
not only 10 control and sway listening Senate, but the
million wiihout-had | The hold upon the public conf
dence that others have- would have ceased, from
mdwnter 10 THIS hour, upon all proper occasions, TO pro-
claim my apprehension that unless plan OF adjusting
these dsiractng questions should be devised, per-
manent ana comprehensive IN its provisions than the
now before the Senate, controversy would arise in the
South which woud shake the fabric of this Unon solid
as II Is, until its foundations shall be moved riyen
The President 0. the United States has been taken to
task because he would not modify his views upon this
subject communicated by bis message OF he24ih OF jan
nary 30 as 10 correspond with the plan presented by the
Committee OF ThFeen Now, sir, il | were disposed 10
make issue with the President on this subject would
not raise question about such plan as ths--a plan OF
such questionable utility and superiority. would raise
II upon much broader grounds. would tax him and his
cabinet together with the honorable and distinguished
leaders upon this question in the Senate. to whom have
before alluded, with the neglect OF great occasion OF
settling all these questions ON permanent basis and
curing quiet for the future we the present. would
change him and them with having failed 10 avail them
selves o Il combination OF circumstances and influences
which may never again be presented OF healing these
dlssensions upon basis solid that posterity might
have occasion TO rise up and bless their memories.
know il may be SAID that at period OF this session
would such an extended project ot adjustment have pass
ed both houses o: Congress do not believe it. Sir, if
at the beginning OF this session. when the game was
Iairy afooi, when every patriotic mind Of the North and
of The South was fully reused to sense of the dangers
which threatened the peace and harmony OF the coun
try the giant inteects which have expended their ener-
gies upon the piece OF political onery now before us had
extended their views 10 enlarged plan oil adjust
ment, believe II could have been carried There would,
perhaps, haye been a storm. The tempest would have
ragged furiously for time but who would not have
been ready 10 encounter il, in its utmost fury when he
knew that calm must soon follow would have been
content to have witnessed what many would denomnae
factions proceeding; would have been willing to have
the experiment tried OF forcing the country TO be
conced by settling this question on broad, just, and
permanent basis.
II is known, Mr. President, that at an unlucky hour,
which cannot but say have regretted ever SINCE
presented plan for the settlement OF the questions
nected with these Territories made up chiefly OF the
propositions submitted by Others but combined and mod
ned by me Ill such manner "a appeared 10 me nj that time
TO embrace every question which might arise in the ia
ture This did al the suggestion OF partial friends,
who supposed that coming from the quarter and occupy
ing the position did, and that, by yielding To the opln
ions OF others upon points, substantial advan
tages might be secured upon Others the prospect oil
istaclory adjustment would be advanced say regret
this now, because, having failed in those advantages
had at heart placed in position OF apparent incon
slsency. The plant proposed, as whole, was COM
promise OF my own opinions, and the tenor OF my present
argument will seem 10 conflict with my former views,
Injustice 10 myself must beg the Indulgence Of the
Senate while notice some Of the objections stated to the
most prominent feature OF the plan of adjustment which
had the honor to propose aud which failed TO meet with
the concurrence OF majority OF The select comm tee
proposed to provide or the prospective admission of new
States TO be carved out OF Texas, and place such ad
mission upon the ground oil renewed compact To this
sire to divide her territory by others that the initiative
should be taken BY Texas. The senator from illinois
Mr. SHELDs said il would be impolIiic and injurious
under present circumstances and This proposition seem
ed 10 have the assent OF two three southern
Ii also said that sufficient for the day was the evil
thereof" aud that perhaps, Texas would never raise
the question"
In reply to the suggestion that Texas does not desire 10
separate her territory will remark that this may be
al the present time But Texas is not to day what she
will be Tomorrow. She has growing population, vast
territory, estimated attwo hundred thousand square miles,
besides upwards OF hundred thousand proposed be
ceded by this ba territory quite large for the
venient government OF her people under single State
ganization Her western inhabitants will soon demand a
separate government. Besides Texas has an interest
now-the payment OF her debt by the United States
which will for the present, control her councils Texas
is scarcely free sIeak this question The present
time. Her representatives irammeed; whatever
measure holds out the prospect OF relieving her Of the
burden OF the debt, however objectionable IN other
specs, they must hesitate before they will do ANYTHING
10 embarrass The measure proposed not designed
10 Texas - assent 10 IT, The sdusiment-ihe pa
cfcation-would be complete on this point II by new
compact based on the cesson OF part OF her territory to
New Mexico. II provided that new States, whenso.
ever carved out OF her present territory with appropriate
territorial area and population, and with constitutions
publlcas in FORM should be admitted into The Union with
out iufther legislation. II would not be Of the smallest
consequence To the object al present IN view, whether
Texas should ever giyeher assent 10 division OF her ter
riiory or not
But 10 said ha, Texas ought TO take The initiative in
the people OF Texas ought hrs 10 demand the funment
of the guarantees of the annexation resolutions. NV
proposition is 10 PROVIDE by irrepeaabe and rcvo-
cable public act, that when The people OF Texas shall
think proper 10 moye what they desire will already be
and no issue be presented which
disturb the Union That Texas WILL at no very remote
day, move upon this subject who that knows anything
OF the extent OF her territories, her population,
and the character OF that population, can dorb! And
to the existing compact, do not see preparations al
ready making in advance nj the North for defeating its
fulh!ment Even now Il is stated that the question
to the number OF tbs population. the area OF the territory
and the time of admission, will put Il completely IN the
power OF majority n either house of Congress 10 control
this whole subject The validity OF the annexation
lutions will be denied by but few but whenever new
State shall be presented Tor admission, Il either the
amount OF population, the extent Of territory, the pc
riod OF application, shall prove acceptable 10
majority ~ eher branch Of Congress- the falls
10 the ground Who, then, does not perceive, that
North shall undergo great and radical change, the
guaranty Of the annexation resolutions will become
nuly
But il Is said 10 be impoc and injurious for Congress
now TO move upon this subject Impotc now, when
the leading and patriotic minds at the North admit the
obligation Of the guaranty, and before agitation snail
have had time 10 consolidate an opposite sentiment
Tmpolic now 10 take advantage OF favorable occasion
settle this question and forever and thus to defeat
BY anticipating evili lmpoliic, when we see the
cloud in the distance surchaged with the elements OF the
hurricane, 10 provide shelter from s fury while we
may II this be mpolitc shall be pleased 10 learn the
time and circumstances which would be proptous
Will the time be more favorable when we shall have ad
mi,ed six or eight additional free States
But to press this proposition now, il is said, would be
injurious TO the settlement of other great questions and
issues What other issues The fugitive slave bill
What legitimate connexon has the fugitive slave bill
with The measures affecting the Territories or Texas