The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-27


as some journals presume to designate a prn-
ciple, their comments upon which, we are
obliged to say, do not indicate much know
ledge Of its true nature or of the results il
contemplates, is likely, we believe, TO vim
dicate, by whatever misnomer it may be
called, the wisdom which prompted It's recon-
mendation and the firmness with which il has
been, and will continue to be, maintained.
With regard, however, To the phrase, which
is as easily written and as easily uttered as
though it expressed some sense-and probably
the more easily written and uttered by some
for the reason that il expresses none-there is
this To be observed:
First. That in the worst aspect Of the case,
it is better to do nothing than % do mischief.
A negative virtue is preferable TO a positive
vice.
Secondly. That if nothing is to be done in
particular matter, it is better to do il at once
than to employ seven months in futile attempts
which must come TO the same thing. To take
up long time in doing nothing involves not
only waste of time, but the postponement also
Of things which the public interests may ur-
gently require to be done. General TAYLOR
has the quality quite prominently Of a decided
character. There are few men, we believe,
less tolerant of nonsense, OF less liable TO be
imposed upon by humbug When it is charged
upon him that his territorial policy proposes TO
do nothing, it should be remembered that il is
not his duty TO do, OF to recommend TO Congress
10 do, for the people of the Territories that
which they can better do for themselves, and
which it is their right to have control over, as a
matter which especially concerns themselves.
We refer to the establishment Of their own do
mestic Institutions and the particular and most
powerful reason why this forbearance is emf
nently proper at this time is to be found in the
fact which fhe agitation Of seven months has
demonstrated, il il were not known before, that
however easy the adjustment Of that domestic
question might be TO the people Of the Terrific
ries if left TO them, il must, il submitted TO the
National Legislature, raise a question invov
ing the prejudices Of thirty States, within whose
limits the question and the principles connected
with il are already settled. But,
Thirdly. 1t is urged that the Presidents
recommendations are very good 50 far as they
go-but that they do not go far enough. Far
enough They go as far as the limits Of the
Territories TO which they relate, and they re
late to nothing else-except the admission of
California as n State, in which particular the
committees bill comedies thoroughly. Re
member, we are speaking Of the Presidents
territorial poiieyin its connexion with slavery
the only new issue 10 which the acquisition Of
territory from Mexico has given rise. IL Cen
eral TAYLOR did moi think proper to unite the
reclamation Of fugitive slaves or the slave trade
in the District Of Columbia with that recon-
mended territorial policy, it may be inferred
upon every ground Of probability that he did not
see any necessary or rational connection between
these different subjects.
We do not intend now. as we have never
undertaken heretofore, 10 20 into specific
comparison between the Compromise, so
called, reported from the Senate's committee.
and the simple recommendations Of the Past
DENT. That has been done in the Senate, fig
uratively and otherwise. Indeed. we have no
fault to impute TO the committees territorial
policy. except one-that, were il adopted, it
would not effect the great object for which il is
intended, namely, satisfactory and permanent