The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-29


10 consult together on the course the South should
take 10 protect herself and nihe belief that. under
the unfortunate circumstances existing il was the
part ofwisdom to save our honor and all that could
be obtained from the general sacrifice, and to stop
agitation which must be pernicious TO the South
we yielded our acquiescence to the Senate bill
with proper notifications, as a settlement Of the
question. One the compromising measures in
that bill was the reputation of the Wilmot Pro-
vso in regard TO the vast territories or Utah and
New Mexico. Wecontended that the Constitution
of the United States OVERRIDE the Mexican laws
abolishing slavery, and that by the bill these terri
tories, SO far the Mexican lawsw were concerned,
were tabuia rasa, and the Southern people, m the
clear exercise of their constitutional rights ofequal
iy could introduce their property Of all kinds, To
be protected by the u. s. Courts. But all this is
now changed by the formation Of "a free-sol State
constitution in New Mexico, under the prompt
lings of the civil and military authorities of this
blessed reign Of Taylorism. The question is not
now an open one. The South cannot now exer-
else her equal rights in that territory, tainted
il is by free-soil under this new incorporation OF
State sovereignty. Unless, therefore, some impor-
tant modification of the Senate bill, in this parti-
cular, be adopted, the merits of the question will
be essentially varied from what they were short
time since.
Again: will not this claim of New Mexico for
admission as State clash with the admission OF
California in her present form Is not the claim
of one equally strong as that OF the other? Is
not their origin identicay the same; based on
illegal usurpatons and Vaccinations of the cabinet
at Washington. Can one be admitted, and the
other having equally strong pretenslons, be re-
jected Under the fatal apathy Of the South, we
were willing TO acquiesce in view of the admission
of California for the sake of peace and in the fact
that New Mexico was thrown open to the South;
but, now, matters are entirely changed, and the
bill will have to be modified in important particu-
lars, to extend TO the South the advantages of a
settlement of the question, which it previously
held out. ',s.-@s.s.
This last outrage, the formation OF State out
of New Mexico, is calculated, we apprehend, to
throw the whole subject at sea again, and To defy
the speculations Of the most wary and profound,
as to what the future may bring forth. The ter
rible consequences of the blind elevation Of :" a
mere soldier " are now developing themselves in
all their poisoned fruit. The end no one ran pre-
dict; but, should peace ever be restored, and the
confederacy move on its regular course, one inn
portant lesson will have been burnt deep into the
popular mind never to invest with high power
a man who is ignorant of the Constitution and
the laws, who has devoted his whole time to
arms, who conceals his opinions, if he have any,
and who must, from the inevitable force of cir
c,mstaoces, be mere tool in the hands of crafty
and selfish counsellors. f.. .. ... = -
From the Richmond Times.
Recollecting the Presidents announcement to
Congress, that he expected the people OF New
Mexico soon to adopt State constitution, and the
recent fullment of that expectation, we have little
hope that his countenance will be given to any
mode of adjusting the slavery controversy, besides
his cherished plan OF avoiding the principal ques-
ton in issue by transforming the Territories into
States. Yet it would seem to be not unreason-
able, presuming Gen. Taylor to be man of sound
sagacity as well as patriotic purposes, to expect
him to abandon policy which he must now see
would be highly disasteful and offensive to the
people of all the Southern States. We have all
along considered it the most Objectionable aspect
of the present attitude of the administration, that
it persists in urging upon Congress its own par
ticular policy, SO to prevent its northern sup
porters from sustaining any other which the South
would consider more satisfactory. "The Presi-
dept's plan is constantly held up to the favor OF
the more liberal Northern Wings as being in the
field against every other scheme, whether it be
the Senate bill, the Missouri Compromise, or any
other conceivable project. So long as the EYecu-
tive branch of the government holds this unHOrta-
nate position, we must expect to sec (and do now
see) nearly all the Northern Wings in Congress
opposing every measure with which the South
would be content s...,... ..,..
We repeat that the President would exhibit
both sagacity and prtriotsm, by Withdrawing, e.,
at this late day, his first recommendation, and ad-
wishing Congress to adopt n plan of settlement
which would be regarded and received by both
sections of the Union as Compromise between
them. Were he now to take a decided stand for
the Missouri line we bcive it would he the sal
walton of his administration. We confess are
not satisfied that that line is preferable to the
Senate plan, but large number Of Southern men
slrenuously advocate it, and, it cannot he denied
that it would satisfy all. With the aid, which
the influence Of the Presidents recommendation
would give, it could probably be carried. But
this is mere speculation, unwarranted, we regret
to be convinced, by any reliable intimation Of the
Presidents views.