The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-11
The Territorial Question.

the resolutions from the Legislature OF
Vermont, Mr.. HALE threw out some sug-
gestions, half in Jest and half in earnest,
which have about as much truth in them
as if they had been designed to be under
stood in their literal Interpretation The
amount of them was, that there is a vast
deal of resolutions making to subserve the
ambitious views of political aspirants, that
is designed for nothing but party effect
and local consumption.
This is no doubt true to the letter. 1t
is also true that the people do not sympa-
thize in the objects Of the politicians, so
far as they mean mischief. The people
of the North are opposed to the extension
of slavery; but they do not desire the agi-
tation of the subject for the sake of agita-
tion A class of politicians live on this
sentiment, and employ it for the sake OF
agitation, and for nothing else. In the
same way, class of politicians at the
South live on the opposite sentiment, and
in the opposite direction agitate for the
same purpose. Both these classes desire
to see the Wilmot proviso gagged through
Congress, and are opposed to any adjust
nent of the territorial question which
shall interfere with the further employ
ment of their peculiar thunder.
If this question is settled TRANQUILITY,
there is an end to. their especial import
ance. Disunion is at discount Free
Soil is in the vocative. The capital that
faction has been laying up in the two Sec
tons is annihilated. Their resolutions
are all shn-plasters. Their fine speeches
are as useless as cast-of garments. There
is no more demand for fourishes about
freedom-and oppression-and what our
fathers did-and what their sons must do
if they would be worthy of their sires.
The whole stock-in-tr trade of many active
and ardent politicians is quite used-up,
and there is an end to their vocation.
Worse than this-the reaction that follows
this excitement will shelve the whole Of
them, and they will be considered as too
much damaged for any available use.
| This is the only source of apprehension
with regard to the recommendations OF
President TAYLOR, touching the policy to
be pursued in respect TO California and
New Mexico. President TAYLOR, after
mature elaboration, has indicated mode
in which this question can be satisfactorily
adjusted without wounding the feelings or
disturbing the rights Of either section OF
the country. Leave the whole matter to
the people of the new Territories, IN
4 whom, by the very nature and necessities
Of our institutions, the whole actual
and efficient control of the matter is
ultimately vested. The sentiments OF
President TAYLOR on this subject have
been responded TO with the fullest
appreciation by the WING press of the
North. We have not seen the first jour-
nal which has excepted to this portion of
the message. Il is equally commended
by the WHO press of the South. Here,
then, is a national platform on which the
Who's of all quarters can stand together.
Waive the territorial organization, and
admit the new countries when they are
prepared for admission as sovereign States.
Standing in that capacity, the whole
subject is in their exclusive cognizance
and control; and Congress has nothing
more to do with them than with other
States in their domestic and municipal
affairs.
This course could well enough be taken,
but for the gentlemen who have per-
sonal and partisan interest in agitation.
! If they are met with frmness by the friends
Of the Administration and the Union, their
factious purposes can be easily defeated;
good feeling and harmonious councils can
be restored, and the Legislature can de-
vote its attention TO the other great qucs-
tons of policy which have been recon-
mended to their attention by the PREsI-
DENT.
| Supreme Court OF the United States.
January 10 1870