The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-02

peace of the country requires this the security OF
tho Constitution requires this; and every conside-
ration of the public good demands this. If the
Administration cannot stand upon the principles
of the message, ii does not expect to stand at all
(DANIEL wEssrKR's Letter TO The Union MEETING
al Wesfckest<r.
The Sequel to two Chapters In the History
OF an Administration.
In two previous chapters we have reviewed
the circumstances under which the present Ma
,ional Administration came into power, and
have presented an epitome Of the events which
have since occurred. We propose to take
survey Of the ground as it now lies about us,
to consider very briefly the relations of the
PRESIDENT to the results which we witness,
and to throw out one or two suggestions in re-
gard to the position and duty Of the WING
party.
To any one familiar with the tone and tenn
per Of the southern States, as manifested in
the resolutions of their Legislatures, Conven
tons, and popular assemblies, and the language
of their journals Of both parties only twelve
month since, it is not necessary to say that
there was at that time imminent peril Of q rev.
dictionary movement. We may call it seces-
sion, rebellion, or what we may; but that plans
and combinations were rapidly maturing, which
contemplated an eventual dissolution Of the
American Union, is as certain as any event re-
corded in history. To what extent they might
have succeeded, if they had been pressed to an
immediate or early issue, is question now
merely Of idle speculation; but, as far as the
maintenance of friendly and fraternal senti-
ments is insolved-and these are the true ce-
ment, the iron links Of the Union--the failure
or success Of the movement would have been
comparatively unimportant. The mere attempt
would have been the great calamity; the de-
feat would have been as disastrous ultimately
as the triumph of such cause.
Clear to our mind as is the fact that the con-
dition Of things existed to which we have re-
ferred, it is equally clear that very different
feeling now prevails in all the slaveholding
States feeling Of tranquility, security, and
the old traditional attachment to the Union
which General JACKSON invoked with such
overwhelming effect in the days of nulli6ca-
ton.
Now turn your eyes to the North. No one
can have forgotten the but recent course of par
ties in the northern States in regard to the Alb
elitionists Both parties had feared and courted
them, to that extent that they were regarded
as the third power, that was to decide the re-
suits of elections, and shape the policy of Gov
eminent. Both parties sought TO go as near to
Abolition ground as they could venture to go,
without the certainty of creating breach of
the ties which bound them to their southern
allies A diseased and feverish disposition
was manifested to NEEDLE unnecessarily with
topics left by the Constitution to the re-
spective States. All the non-slaveholding
States except Iowa had passed resolutions
in favor Of the Wilmot proviso. Since the
passage Of the Compromise one-half of those
States have repealed those resolutions, either
directly or by the adoption of legislative or con-
ventional action inconsistent with them. ILL
NoIs, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, New HAMPSHIRE,
RHODE ISLAND, New JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA,
and CoNNEcrIcUr, are now all in favor of the
Compromise; and in the other northern States
the politicians of both parties are PRETTY well
convinced that there is more to be lost than
gained by the agitation of the negro question.
The sentiment is everywhere gaining ground
that not only are they Disunonists who cry
aloud for secession and dissolution but those also
who, protesting to be the friends of the Union,
are circulating opinions, stimulating prejudices,
and encouraging animosities, the tendency of
which is to create an alarm, excitement, and
hostility, in the southern mind, that must ulii-
mately lead to revolution.
Such is the present public opinion and popu-
lar feeling at the North and South, in most
fortunate contrast to that which prevailed at
the time of Mr.. FILLMoRE's accession to the
Presidency. When discontents prevail, when
popular complaints are loud and urgent, we are
ready to attribute the condition Of things which
causes them to the Encouragement or bad policy
of administration. Towhat, then, are we to refer
the general content and tranqullity-the feel
ing Of security and safety which now prevail
throughout the country-except to the wisdom,
the patriotism, the liberal and national spirit
which have thus far governed the course Of Mr..
FmLMoRK's Administration. How often have
we seen Chief Magistrate-the President of
the PEOPLE and still the head of great PAR
TY-who, by his prudence, moderation, and
firmness, has not only dsarmed the censure of
his political adversaries, but has soothed the
rage Of sectional strife, and held the balance
with an even hand between The factions that
80 frequently divide and enfeeble the friends Of
an administration
This work Of Cancellation and compromise
has been effected, moreover, without disor-
ganizing or disentegratng the Vino party. 1t
has merely withdrawn the negro question from
the arena of State discussion, and left the