The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-22


WAsHIsoros Cry May 81, 1850.
MY DEAR SIN Your kind note OF the 18th instant was
most unespeeiedy received and places me in an attitude
IN which would rather not appear never mad the
vanity e suppose that any one occupying your place 10
ne s ss .ssssS any value % ny
most subjects. believing that they would pass ss the
opinions Of humble individual without materially ai
hs% saS o he
pleased to ascribe to them, should shrink from the
responsibility Of making them public Demanded OF me,
asy Withhold hs s saeS as hsy @ no
prescribe 70 you what you shall make OF them It's
proper however for me 10 observe that i IS long since
have been as attentive looker-on was quite consist
ent with great devotion to a laborious profession
came 10 Washington at this time on professional bust
ness, little dreaming that any would condesceAd
formally to ask me What thought on any public matter
In the present excited state OF the public mind little oler
alton can be expected from those with whom you may
great subject to which your letter refers must look to
encounter more OF criticism than Of appreciation Were
candidate for public favor, should think il prudent to
present no Office, either State or federal and do not de-
sire any, unless accorded to me from Just appreciation
Of sentiments that really entertain. II is much to be
regretted that there should be occasion even TO talk OF
compromises other than those that made in the
formation OF that admirable constitution under which we
live Both reflection and experience teach US that no
sour compromise las is caled and what has been its
operation Has il furnished 10 the South the slightest
security that slave property may be holden in any terri
though il has very escuay closed the door against its
introduction north Of that limit or what value has
been the compromise of 1889 upon the tariff question
blank paperl What guaranty have that any future
compromises will receive more consideration! can
conceive OF none The making OF compromises, then,
to be very idle business, unless II be such
compromises as are made and executed at the same
moment The constitution must be left TO work ont
its RESULTS and though, like everything partaking
OF human impefecton, il must in its operation bear
hard at times upon particular interests and sections
OF wide spread country, doubt whether anything will
ever be gained BY complants--cealnly nothing by mu-
tual ordinations and recriminaons. Whenever wrongs
are inflicted particular interests by unconstitutional
Legislation OF Congress, il is then very proper for the
injured party g entertain the Question: whether WI
wrong of grave character TO make necessary
appeal to the EXTREMIST for its redress But
there are % q
party In the language Of the common law, 1t is dam
absqus injuria Enforced redress for wrongs such
the aggressor and he who seeks by force to redress them
becomes himself an aggressor, and VIII De counted
dsturber OF the public peace Within constitutional
limits therefore, all bound to submit to the Will OF
the majority whatever that will may be, and however
dstasteful to the minority. But when unconstitutional
passed. however large the maofes passing
Of and even nj resisted By those who suffer under them
To apply these principles 10 the subject before U.S. The
Wlmo Proviso is an unconstitutional measure, demon.
distinguished statesman during the present session Of
Congress. While. them this Wilmot Proviso was likely
to be put upon the country by brute force o It would
have been a lawless act carried out by the mere
strength OF a Majority the South might with great
propriey have taken any measure OF redress, even to
secession from the Union, resistance by force But the
Wimot Proviso has been abandoned, and, may we not
hope from the conviction OF northern brethren that
unconstitutional, at least that its constituonay is
doubtful and that they will not again trouble the country
adj nf nfh
selves upon considerations and the one alluded to in
your letter touching the plan OF compromise now I'M
der consideration in the Senate" and upon this you
desire my views. cannot but repeat my regret that
those politicians who are generally SO liberal In constru
ing the constitution, and have thereby derived much
CONTACT should on this occasion avail themselves Of &C
cdenta circumstances to deprive the South OF what the
spirit, il not the letter, OF the constitution intended to
securehat they should refuse the adoption OF such mea
sures as would throw the whole territory from Mex
open the occupation OF all whose blood and treasure
have contributed to- lie acquisition Whether Mexican law
in regard slavery in force in that territory is
question that will not presume to decide, TO dis
But do think that having been made subject OF
doubt Congress should have relieved the southern peo
pie from the effects of that doubt by declaring open as
well 10 the STAKEHOLDER as the non STAKEHOLDER, both
upon the ground OF justice and OF sound policy This
it refused TO do, but even threatened positive restric
tons; and the consequences that shareholders have
been afraid TO carry their property into that territory
Hence California has been occupied exclusively by nom
Shareholders The spirit OF the federal compact has been
now comes forward and asks admission into the Union
-saveholding State and one OF the questions is
shall she be admitted But there is question OF con-
sutionality in this II OF expediency alone True
we have reason TO complain OF federal interference in
bringing forward California; her present attitude to claim
admission But that Is past. Can that evil be remeded
by refusing 10 admit or, II II cam will not the refusal
bring with il far greater evs Is il not important TO the
South TO remove this slave question as soon as pos
sble from the field Of debate II is perfectly certain that
the South has thought OF giving up her right TO hold
slaves and that unconstitutional interference with that
right is the Rubcon OF dissolution But il is equally GER
tain that she obtain anything more than she s
entitled TO strietissimi juris Argument can avail her
nothing before the audience she address She may
rights she cannot hope for any accessons unless they
may be acquired amid the concatory spirit OF political
calm Very important 10 her. them is the speedy resiora-
ton OF repose Delay in admitting California may re-
buke our northern brethren for their advocacy OF anti
slavery opinions But will that avail anythingi Alas,
far as our interests concerned, we may as well
expect by stern rebuke change the skin OF the Eth
opan or the spots Of the leopard And to reason down
those opinions would be wild attempt that OF
Xerxes TO bind in chains the raging Heespont Fanati
cism cannot be rebuked-canno be reasoned with All
that you ask OF the fanatic mailman is that he
will keep his hands of you. You cannot prevent him
from thinking speaking out the wild ancies OF his
cited brain But will say the territory proposed
is too large for State. What Is that to u.s. The nom
Shareholders OF California send the fewer senators TO
Congress. have not examined critically the details OF
the so-caled compromise and speak therefore only OF It's
general principles. IL there is any hope Of wrnging
IRON the eagerness necessities oil those opposed TO us
recognition OF those claims OF equality that they refuse
TO accord 10 OF justice and OF generous conraer
nifty, by delay. should be in favor OF delays unless in
deed we thereby endanger by prorac,ed agitation rights