The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-14
p,RrIEs. NORTH AND SOUTH.
E,ou ths Albany STATE Register. November IL [AD-
MINIsTRATioS WHe
Is II Peace Mar!

is AZ Peace War!
Nye had occasion last Friday to comment on
nm article Ia The Tribune, intended. as We con
ceved. 10 revive the agitation respecting slave
~ that. under the influence Of calm feeling,
had been permitted to sumber for a time What
ever was the intent of the writer the article be-
trayed bad spirit. Instead of invitation to
peaceful, candid examination, il was like trumpet
call to srie, bold defying full of bitter nvective
and criminnton, like the sudden, violent rupture
OF truce, and melting all to stand by their arms.
It disdainfuly rejected all thought Of accommoda
ton; but striking, with its sharp lance, the pure
white shield Of those who stand by the Constitu-
ton and the laws, it proclaimed to the death.
More sober thoughts are glad to see. have re-
sumsd their sway. The Tribune has checked its
fierce, headlOng speed, and with comparative calm
ness now asks, "Is it Peace or WARP
The question is important one, involving in
its solution the most momentous consequences,
and demanding the gravest consideration. Ii is
tim, ly TOO, for IL must be evident 10 the most
D. rcial observer that the present anomalous state
Of tn ngs in the Wing party cannot continue much
longer There must be a firm peace. based on
hearty, sincere union, or open, fragrant war.
Peace holds out 10 US the promise of glorious
sults--the reconciliation of friends linked to-
gether as by hOOks Of steel but now estranged; pc
htical triumph in the State and natlonj and,
the result OF such triumph, the certainty OF carry
broad, comprehensive, public policy. With war,
estran GENE ut will deepen into hate, bitter, rancor
Gus, personal hate, and-but we will not attempt
to depict the long train Of evils that would result
from the absolute disruption of the Wing party OF
New York
Peace or war; The time has come when we must
choose between the two. To go we have done
for the last year ID clearly impossible. Jealouscs
and heart burnings exist, and feuds have been
created in almost every county of the State. Can
ddates and their friends in both faciionsfor ii is
folly 10 deny, or attempt 20 ignore, the existence
OF factions among the Wings smart under sonse
of real or iancied wrongs and burn for chance to
avengc them. We not disposed TO 60 back to
the origin of these difficulties, and point out by
what agencies they have been aggravated, and by
what motives nursed, until they have attained their
present uionstruus growth But for the malign in
huence that has been exerted by less than half a
dozen men, We DO in our hearts, believe there
would have been difficulties ut all There is no
real subs ,antial difference OF opinion among the
mass of the Wing party of this State. Sincere in
their attachment 10 Wing principles, loyal 10 the
Constitution, and obeuient to law, they wish for
peace and harmony, but arc at this moment il
great danger of being arrayed against each other,
aud made powericss except for evil
Before the Mexican war. anJi-siavery was not adj
mitted element in the creed OF northern
Wbigs. Many of thenlwere opposed TO slavery; that
i, they regretted the fact OF its existence in the
country, and hoped for It's ultimate abolition. But
though entertaining these views, they did not pro
States, or any abridgement of rights guaranteed
10 shareholders by the Constitution With the abo-
iuonists proper they had no sympathcs, and we're
the objects OF unceasing and vehement abolition
denubciaton
After the breaking out of the Mexican war the
question of slavery presented aspect. 1t
soon became evident that of the results OF that
contest must be the acquisition of considerab Bile
portion of Mexican territory; and the anticipation
OF such result with view TO the extension of
slIyery over the territory SO acquired, was alleged
TO be the chief motive of the South in sustaining
the war. The North was aroused almost one
man, and insisted that the territory should be in
violably dedicated to freedom. The South resisted
this as an infringement of its rights, and contest
arose that threatened TO rend the Union. The
strength of the feeling at the North against the
tension of slavery was overwhelming There
little or difference of opinion Whgs. Demo
Gratis, and Aboliuonists made common cause, with
scarcely exception, and the iarthest that promi
nent public men ventured TO 90 in the resistance of
the tide of public sentiment was 10 urge that
the people OF the new Territories should be al
lowed 10 determine for themselves whether
not they would sanction slavery. Eventually
il settled. California was admitted as
a State with constitution prohibiting slavery
and New Mexico was organized other TcTrito
ries had been, without reference To that subject.
Slavery does not exist there and cannot legally.
Beside these measures the slave trade abol-
ished in the District of Columbia. All this was done
in accordance with northern sentiment. What
ever schemes southern politicians may have had
for the extension oi slavery, effcctualy frus-
trated Ii has not been extended one inch; while
the friends of freedom have gained a State giving
them the balance Of political power, and the other
advaL tlges we have named. But in addition
thereto, an as part Of the comprehensive settle
ment known as the Compromise, old law, passed
in 1893, during Washington's administration,
amenoed the better to TO Shareholders RI ghls
guaranteed to them by the Constitution. 1t is in
regard ~ that measure commonly called The Fugitive
Slave law that the only differences of opinion
ist. Acqoiescence in AL the other measures OF the
.l1ul
the North; but the differences respecting the Fugi-
tive Slave law threaten the most serous copse-
qurnces if the teachings in relation thereto Of the
Tribune and other prominent journals, shall be ol-
lowed. This IL the question that should now be
looked fairly and squArely in the face, and the
decision that shal be made respecting it depends
the peace and harmony, or the disruption and
Of the Wing party Of New York. All attempts TO
eyade the ssue are useess. Ii must be met.
The National Wings regard all questions
speeding slavery, 30 far as such questions consti
tute legitimate elements in politics. settled by the
Compromise OF the last Congress, and are adverse
to any farther agitation diverting attention from
other and more important subjects, with which we
have more immediate concern, as useless, and, by
the irritation il creates tending to ALLEVIATE sections
between which none but the kindcst, most cordial,
feelings should exist They do not ask any one to
approve slavery, the Fugitive Slave law; but
they do insist that, 80 long as that law remains
repealed, II shall be respected and obeyed And
why should not respect and obedience be paid toit?
Because, says its opponents, it lie repugnant our
feelings and adverse to the great principles of
human freedom. Granted. But the question of
human freedom is longer an open one; il has
already be'n yielded by the adoption of the Goa
81 tuition, with lite compacts and compromises and
the recognition of the power that each State pos
eesses OF allowing prohibiting slavery within s
limits. That the law ia repugnant to our feelings
il no reason for refusing obedience to it. thou
sand Other laws, national, State, and municipal,
which we obey, are also repugnant to US. But the
law, il is further said, s detective in ts details
Granted also. But we fear, let il be amended in
any way, it would stil be pretty much the same
thing, II allowed to remain effective enough to
fulfil the Constitutional requirements. The truth
lie the Tribune sort Of Whigs would not be satisfied
with any law at all, whatever might be its drtas, |
that would insure the restoration of a runaway
slave TO his master.
The National Whigs say they will abide by the
Constitution in all its parts and that this must be
done IN good faith or We cannot hope 10 remain a
united people Opposition 10 slavery, that might
be considered patriotic while the quceton of the
extension Of slavery was pending, Is now simply
factious when there is danger or question OF its
extension beyond its recognised, constitutional
limits. This being go, the National Wings urge
that opposition to and denuncation Of the Fugitive
Save law should cease Here is the parting Of
the WaysD Well BEATEN. clear and strauht IL the