The New York herald., 1850-04-11
The Great Questisn in Congress-vhat
VIII the south Do,

lhle H great OF anxiety manifested
this metropolis to know what will be the ultimate
reeul of the great question of the day. which il now
she topic Of discussion TO the exclusion Of almost
everything else, in Congress. Mr. Clay, Mr.. Cass,
and Mr.. Webster, are in favor of settling the whole
question of California and the territories by one BILL
Such settlement Of the matter is very desirable,
30 that We might get rid of the whole question of
slavery, in connection with the territories, at once,
and have il settled and put at rest forever. II is
hard 10 say, however, whether this measure will
be carried or not. Gen. Taylor, no doubt is in
hvor Of il; but his opinion seems TO be regarded as
matter Of no consequence, one way or the other,
% any party. The cabinet are opposed TO il, be-
cause they want the slavery agitation kept open for
their own purposes, and are the free soilers in
the House, and number of whigs who have not
yet shown their hands, but who will oppose /,
when the time for voting on the bill comes around
In the Senate, Mr. Benton will oppose il, because
he is in favor Of the immediate admission of Cali
Sonia, without reference TO the territories AZ ALL
According to present appearances, therefore, il
would seem that the proposed plan of disposing Of
me whole question in one bill is very doubtful Of
paseing.
The South will no, consent TO the admission Of
California by herself, and the members of the
House Of Representatives from that quarter will
oppose il with all their NIGH, and taci but whether
successfully, or not, time will tell II there were
more unanimiiy Of sentiment and purpose among
the Southern members than there il, they
could very easily, by adopting Mr. Clngman's
plan, Of refusing 10 vote the supplies, and con-
unually calling the ayes and navs stop the
wheels Of government, and prevent all legislation.
lntil their rights, under the constitution, were
respected, and their just claims attended 20 and re-
COZ nissd. This ciicciualy done during the
present session, when The system of tactics 10
which we have referred was persisted in, until the
obnoxious resolution introduced by Mr.. Dojy was
Withdrawn. II is most powerful weapon in the
hands Of minority, with which 10 protect them
selves against aggrcssons Of the majority. II is
perfectly legal and constitutional too and has been
Teeorted 10, in times past, in both England and
America, with perfect success II was adopted in
England during the existence OF the Long Para-
mcni and in the British colonies in America, with
great advantage, and Il achieved more than could
be gained by a revolution in the streets-the plan
40 frequently rcsor;cd TO 10y the PEOPLE Of France.
In facf the exercise OF this power is a revolution
peaceablc. quiet. legal and orderly revolution.
II seems to be inconsistent with the nature Of the
Anglo-Saxon race TO resort 10 measures of violence
10 recover lost rghts-io rush into the Streets like
bulles or blackguards, and make a revolution.
While they can do wonders by Legislative means,
by parliamentary tactics, they achieve nothing
by yiolenee-by street iighis--by even conventions
In the streets they powerless for good because
they are a mere mob, and nothing else. Convcn-
hons are a mere brErn fal,ncn. II would be the
same with South, in case they rcsortcd TO any such
extreme and mPolitic measure. There is objec-
hon TO mere popular conventions or sssemblagcs
ofpcople. but there is no necessity for taking such
a course The South have in their hands an in
strument which is much more powerful and effica-
cious. lfthcy were united enough among them
eelves, to adcP, the policy Of s,oppng the supplies,
which was followed with such effect in the time Of
Charles the First IN England, and initiated by our
colonial legislatures, previous to the revolution.
they would coon succeed in bringing the majority IN
Congress TO their scnscs. awaken the attention Of
the whole country, and secure the rights 10 which
they are Justly entitled under the constitution.
Matters in Washington viii soon reach a crisis
We shall, before long time. ascertain whether the
Southern members in both houses have moral cou-
rage and energy sufficient TO enable them 10 Sc
cure their nights in the new territories. Since the
death Of Mr.. Calhoun they have been without a
leader, and We don't know that they can agree
among themselves 10 follow such course as that
recommended by Mr.. Chngman. However, we
sAsll soOn zee.