The republic., 1851-08-05
Harmony Restored.

Harmony Restored.
We publish with unalloyed qualification the
results of the patriotic conference between the
three committees representing different phases
of Wing opinion in the State of New York
upon the great questions of Federal policy which
nave so long and so seriously menaced the
peace, perhaps the permanence of the Union.
The basis of this agreement is no sacrifice OF
the right of free opinion admission Of previous
error. 1t is compact that past quarrels shall
be forgotten, that established laws shall be
submitted to and enforced. 1t is an agreement
tina. they will, in the words of JEFFERSON, ''put
the past under our feet" and be again one
nation. Neither opinion claims a triumph;
each asserts for itself that its purposes have
been patriotic. 1t cannot be otherwise than
consclatory to the Administration that those
who disapproved of its course upon the va
rious and important measures upon which
it has been called to act should magnani-
mously unite in declaration THAT THE
NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION IS ENTITLED
TO THE CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT OF THE
Wines OF New YORK FOR THE EMINENT
ABILITY AND PATRIOTISM WHICH HAVE CHAR
AcTERIzED ITS MEASURES"
1t is such declarations of confidence which
alone console the statesman for the honest dis
charge of duty. If the mariner feels, amid the
raging storm, that his own duty has been per
formed honestly and fearlessly, he may conide
that calm skies and approving smiles will COM
pensate him for every labor and peril.
There are other indications that the united
call for the State convention is not specious
and ingenious avoidance of issues of opinion
and Suppression of sentiment such as was
jesuitlcally recommended by the leader of
the Barnburners at Tammany. The earnest
and honest comparison and discussion Of opin
ions which preceded this important mea
sure, coupled with the declarations of those
who entertained the most extreme opinions, but
who are willing now to acquiesce in the exist
ing condition of things, convince US that the
because founded ON free and fair adjustment
of every grievance, actual or alleged
Oar first proof of the sincerity of the reunion
is based upon the following candid reiteration of
acknowledged and immutable Wing princi-
Piles embodied in he CALL
l.. An economical administration of the Gov
ernment.
2 The strict accountability of public,o officers,
and their rigid adherence to the limitations OF
power prescribed by the Constitution and laws.
B. An honest and faithful performance of all
obligations made with foreign nations, with
scrupulous regard for their rights, and firm
and steady defence of our own.
4. The Improvement Of the important rivers
and harbors of the country, so as to render them
navigable and accessible by prudent and syste-
matte appropriations founded upon examination
made by competent and disnterested public
officers.
D. Such discrimination on the duties neces-
sarily laid upon imports for the support of Gov
ernment as shall secure to the industry of our
countrymen just remuneration, and shall
stimulate mechanical and manufacturing enter
prise.
These are declarations of principle, broad,
permanent, perpetual, upon which the whole
Wing party can stand united. 1t stirs the blood
to hear them proclaimed with the trumpet tones
of the Empire State, instead of the discordant
clamor which has for so many months panied
the ear and heart of every patriot
Whilst the declaration of sentiment on which
each of these committees united expresses the
position of the Wings of New York, their de-
claration in regard TO the Compromise is equally
distinct and decisive.
They avow their opposition TO 'the subjec-
tion of any territory now free to laws impos-
ing involuntary servitude." Yet they "un
qualifedly acknowledge the right of every
sovereign State to regulate its own muni-
cipal institutions in such manner as its peo-
pie may deem most conducive to their safety
and happiness, without interference, directly
or indirectly, by citizens of other States or
subjects of other countries.'
From this results a Congressional neutral
ity. The State, when organized, will deter
mine for herself the institutions most accepta-
bic to her own citizens.
The further avowals Of principle are equally
satisfactory. The pledge to ''abide by the Con
stitution of the United States in all its parts,
and to sustain and defend the decisions Of ju-
dicial tribunals as the law of the land, until re-
yersed by the same tribunals--the acknowledge
ment of the duty of the Government to enforce
the laws of Congress and of the State Legis-
latures as expounded by the judicial tribunals,
and the obligation Of the citizen inviolably to