The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-05

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gentlemen falls far short of what the Senate and
the country had right to expect of them, it is Ia
me, at least, matter Of deep regret, and so,
think, it must prove to the public Sir, when giants
set their hands 10 work, expect something
moro than the product of ordinary mortals some
thing more than the mere expcdient of day. a
measure to answer a temporary emergency. Sir,
/ do not mean to boast myself of superior sagacity
and wisdom. pretend to further into the
future than any other gentleman of ordinary OBJ
servation may he chooses; but had the giits
that others have; had the powers, like them, not
only to control and sway listening Senate but the
million without; had l the hold upon the public
confidence that others have, never would have
ceased from midwinter to this hour, upon all pro-
per occasions, to proclaim my apprehension that
unless some plan of adjusting these distracting
questions should be devised, more permanent and
! comprehensive in its provisions than the now
before the Senate, controversy would arise in the
South which would shake the fabric of this Union,
solid is until its foundations shall be moved
| rivcn.
| The President of the United States has been ia
ken TO task because he would not modify his views
| upon this subject, communicated by his message
OF the 24th OF January, to correspond with the
plan presented by the Committee of Thirteen. Now,
sir, If were disposed to make issue with the
President on this subject, would not raise ques-
ton about such plan this; plan of such ques
tionable utility and superiority. ! would raise it
upon much broader grounds. would tax him and
his-Cab net, together with the honorable and dis
tnguished leaders upon this question in the Senate,
to whom have before alluded, with the ne glect of
great occasion of settling all these questions
permanent basis and securing quiet for the future
| as well as the present. | would charge him and
them with having failed to avail themselves of a
combination OF circumstances and influences which
may never again be presented, of healing these
discussions upon basis solid that posterity
mil ht have occasion rise up and bless their mem
| cries
| know it may be said that at no period of this
session would such an extended project of adj just
neut have passed both houses OF Congress. l do
| believe if n the heOin nj Oft this
| sion, when the game was fairly aloot, when every
| patriotic mind of the North and of the South was
fully reused TO sense of the dangers which threat
ened the peace and harmony Of the country, the
giant inellects which have expended their energies
upon the piece of political ioinery before US
had extended their views TO more enlarged plan
OF adjustment, believe II could have been carried.
| There would perhaps have been storm. The tenn
pest would have ragged furousy for time; but
who would not have been ready to encounter it, in
Its utmost fury, when he knew that calm must
soon follow? ! would have been content to have
witnessed what many would denominate factious
proceeding; would have been willing to have seen
| the experiment tried Of forcing the country to be
reconciled, 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 connected with these Territories made
up chiefly of the propositions submitted by Others
! bat combined and modified by me in such manner
| appeared TO me at that time to embrace every
! question which might arise in the future. This /
did at the suggestion of some partial friends, who
| supposed that, coming from the quarter and occu-
| plying the position did, and that, by yielding TO
the opinions OF others upon some points, more sub
stantial advantages might be secured upon others,
the prospect of satisfactory adjustment would be
advanced. say regret this now, because, hav-
ing failed in those advantages had at heart, am
placed in position of apparent inconsistency. The
plan proposed as a whole, compromise u
my own opinions, and the tenor of my present
1 argument will seem TO conflict with my former
Views.
In Justice to 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 and
which failed to meet with the concurrence of ma
Jority OF the select committee. proposed 10 pro-
vide for the prospective admission of States 10
be carved out of Texas, and to place such admis
! sion upon the ground Of renewed compact. To
this it was objected by some, that perhaps Texas
docs not desire 10 divide her territory by others
| that the initiative should be taken by Texas. The
Senator from Illinois (Mr. SHiKLDs) said it would
be imPoitic and injurious, under present circum-
! stances; and this proposition seemed TO have the
assent of two or three southern Senators. 1t was
also said that " sufficient for the day the evil
thereof" and that, perhaps, +" Texas would never
raise the question:"
In reply to the suggestion that Texas docs not
desire TO separate her territory, will remark that
| this may be true at the present time. But Texas
is not to-day what she will be To- morrow She has
a growing population, vast territory, estimated
wards of hundred thousand proposed to be
ccded by this bill; territory quite too large for
the convenient government of her people under a
single State organization. Her western inhabi-
tants will demand separate government.
Besides, Texas has an interest now-thc payment
Of her debt by the United States-which will. for
the present, control her councils Texas is
ly free To speak this question at the present time.
| Her representatives rammelled whatever mea-
holds out the prospect of relieving her Of the
burden Of the debt, however Objectionable in other
respects, they must hesitate before they will do any
! thing TO embarrass. The measure proposed was
not designed TO coerco Texas TO assent 10 il. The
| adJustment-the pacihcation-would be complete
on this point, If by a new compact, based on the
cession Of part of her territory TO New Mexico, II
| were provided that new States, whcnsoever carved
out OF her present territory with appropriate ter
roria area and population, and with constitutions
| republican in form, should be admitted into tho
be Of the smallest consequence to the object At pre-
sent in view, whether Texas should give her
assent TO division OF her territory or not.
But il is said that Texas ought TO take the inita
tive in this movement. IL is begging the question
90 say that the people of Texas ought hrst TO de-
mand the fulhlment Of the guarantee Of the annex
alton resolutions. My proposition IL to provide, by
an rrepcalable and irrevocabe public act, that when
the people of Texas shall think proper 70 move
what they desire will already be accomplished, ano
no issue be prcsented which can disturb the
Union. That Texas will, at very remote day
move upon this subject, who that knows any thing
Oi the extent OF ncf increasing pop
uaton, and the character of that population, car
doubt And as 10 the existing compact, do we not
see preparations already making in advance at the
North for defeating its fulilmenp Even now 1t !.
stated that the question as TO the number of the
population, the of the territory, and the time
Of admission, will put il completely in the power o.
majority in either house of Congress to control thu.
whole subject. The validity of the annexation re
solutions will be denied by but few; but whenever
a new State shall be presented for admission, il
either the amount of population, the extent Of terri
tory the period of application shall not prove ac
ceptablc TO mere majority in either branch o
Congress the measure falls TO the ground. Who
then, does not perceive, that unless the popular
scntimedt on the subject of slavery at the Norti
shall undergo a great and radical change, the guar
antee of the annexation resolutions will become a
nullity'
But it is said to be impotic and injurious for Con
| gress now 90 move upon this subject. lmpOlitic
now, when the leading and patriotic minds at th'
North admit he obligation of the guarantee, and bs
fore agitation shalt have had time to consolidate an
opposite sentiment? lmpohtic notc TO take advan
tage Of favorable occasion To settle this question
, once and forever and thus to defeat by anticipa
ting an eviR Impoliuc-when the cloud IL
the distance, surchargcd with the elements OF TIN
hurricane, TO provide a shelter from it's fury whit