The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-02-24
For the National Era
WHAT FARMER JOHN THINKs.-N0. q.

IL has always been a puzzle to me, that
neighbor Joel, clever rs be is in most things,
should have such illluck in roofing out the
weeds in his garden, and killing the white-weed
and Canada thistles in his fields If he goes
into the garden of an evening. after his other
work for the day is done, the weeds that he
pulls up are sure TO be left in heaps 30 that
they are kept alive by dews and shade till half
of them take root again if he waits till they
have become too deep-roOted to be pulled up
by hand, and then takes his hoe to cut them
down, there are ten chances to one that the
whole crop has gone to seed and a few days
will bring forward new family as large again
rs the old one
| say am always puzzled to know why these
things should be SO. But find that neighbor
Joel is not the only one that sometimes makes
a bad reckoning and does things either at the
wrong time or in the wrong way. Some of the
wisest heads in the country seem to me to have
been often in the same fix, and think we are
every day feeling the bad effects of some of
their blunders.
The first great political mistake that ! now
think of In our national history, was the Mis-
souri, Compromise. There was too much blus-
ter and threatening on the part of the slave
holders even at that early day, to suit my taste
and my boyish blood was good deal rolled SO
much so, that il conld have had my own way,
have no doubt should have made matters a
good deal worse than they ever have been yet.
| should have paid them in their own coin, and
clustered back, and 80, perhaps, should have
kindled fire that could not easily be put out
am willing to acknowledge that did not see
the right way then but in looking back am
well convinced, that little more frmness on
the part of the free Sta ies would have gained
their end and saved us from all the trucking
that has since 80 often made us a byeword
among nations am sure none of the Con-
gressiOnal leaders of that day would have been
50 careless in looking after their own rights (;
and 80, | think, the whole subject was settled
in the wrong way.
The next great struggle was in notification
times. Old Hickory bad the right spunk in
him, and if he had had his own way through
out think he would have put an end TO the
controlling influence Of sectional buster in our
Government. But after he had lulled the
storm, and every body was looking for the clouds
to break away, the great Compromise stepped
in, and offered pretty stepping stone on which
the South withdrew with flying colors, all
ready for another crisis, in which to resort to
the same means which had twice gained their
end.
What wonder is il, then, that when Texas
wanted slice Of the Territory of New Mexico,
she began to talk large and raise an army,
and threaten to fight the whole United States,
unless she could have her own way? What
wonder is it, that Congress either became tor
ribly frightened or pretended TO be no, at her
bluster, and at once set about compromising
the matterl never could see any thing strange
in it, because had already learned that Uncle
Sam, like neighbor Jool was apt 10 20 to work
at the wrong time.
IL Texas had felt that her claim was good
one, think she would have been likely to try
peaoeable means first, and to have had no talk
Of taking up arms, till she had tried in every
other way to get what she thought was her
lust rights But as she chose TO act the bully,
one would think that sensible men land take
it our congressman are sensible mem might
have seen that it was very unwise not TO
say that it was wickedly wrong TO treat Of
the matter at all till tie bullying was over
All warlike preparations should have been
stopped, and every ground should have been
removed for saying what many have said, and
many always will say, that our Legislature
Welded TO their fears what they never would
have Welded W a sesas Of justice. don't
think such things look well on the page Of his
tory, and what is more, think the greatest
danger we have to fear for the permanence OF
our Government springs from such prccedents.
IL faction can carry the day by threats at one
time, it may at another; and the time may
come when some new Caesar or Napoleon may
guide powerful faction TO secure power in his
own hands.
"But" says Abijah, CANT you willing to
give up anything for the sake OF peace? You
seem 10 believe that the South wasn't in earnest
in its threatenings but you may DO mistaken
az well ~ other folks. And suppose We OF the
North had refused To yield, and the South had
forced us into civil war, wouldn't that have
been a great deal worse than giving them a
Law 10 hateful that they couldn't carry it out !"
know it would be Of no use to talk to Abb"
jan about the morality OF passing law that
IL only meant for u cheat or TO tell him OF the
rise in stocks and other signs that showed
there was no danger in the height OF tho agI-
tation. 30 | take him on his own ground, and
tell him that would sooner have run the risk
VI civil war, IL there was any such risk, than
10 have done what knew to DO wrong, IN the
hope of avoiding it, II We could make up our
minds aitsass 10 yield, his policy would do very
we'll bot ii we can think OF any possible emer-
gency in which the South might ask OF us m're
than We should be willing To grant, the sooner
We begin TO stand our ground the better. -.
think managing nation is something like
managing q family or Q school. II you let =
child have his own way once, he will expect TO
have it sgsin and tho more you give up TO
him, the harder you will siwsys find i ~ check
him when he ought 10 be checked. The South
clustered more In this last struggle than she
has ever done before; in tho next, she Will
threaten louder yet, aud should not wonder