Washington sentinel., 1854-02-25

tnOSe VINO eSpOuSeu tne sue Vi luc fco1tetU"-
lists at that time, do not see the name OF a sim
gle man who ever attained high political dis
1 tincton in this country. Their very memories,
in most instances, have passed away, and their
4 agraces, if they have any, would be about as
hard TO find as that s'of Moses in the wilderness"
i 30 much, then, for these threats. They are
but the rawlings" and "howlings," and "hiss-
ings" of the beaten and routed ranks of the
factionists and malcontents They are the vail
ings OF the oltically-condemned, coming up
from the bottom of that deep pit where they
have been hurled by patriotic people for the
| good, the peace, quiet, and harmony of the
whole country. We need not expect to silence
them the friends and advocates of the CON-
promise of 1850 did not expect or look for that
at the time. That would have been a forlorn
hope; and though many of the enemies of the
compromise, Of the north, who were beaten in
the great battle of 1852, have since seemingly
surrendered and begged for quarters, pretend
ing to be ready to acquiesce, must be per-
mitted to say on this occasion, without any wish
to push myself into the New York contest, that
havevery little confidence in the integrity OF their
professions. They fought tho compromise as
long as there was any prospect of making any
thing by fighting it. When whipped, routed,
and beaten, then, like craven and mercenary
captives, they turned 10 power, to see if any
thing could be made there by subserviency and
sycophancy. have no faith in their CONVEX
sion-never have had any. Warmed into life
again by the genial rays of executive patron
age, have always thought, and still think that
they will only become the more formidable
whenever the occasion offers for their real prin-
cples to manifest themselves. Hydrophobia
can never be cured it will break out on the
changes of the moon. And so with the disease
/ of negro-maaia. Sir, the viper will hiss and
even sting the bosom that nurtures and fosters
it. Whether l am right in this anticipation, or
whether this administration is right in its pre-
sent policy, we shall see.
But we who stood by the compromise of 1850,
and intend to stand by it now, and carry it out
in good faith, are not to be moved by any clamor
gotnp by its old enemies nor are we to be
shaken in our purpose by any mistaken appeals
in behalf of the "sanctity of compacts," coming
from source even as respectable as that Of
the National Lateligencer. That paper, in
late article, seems to consider the line of 36o
3O> almost as binding as the Constitution-the
bare suggestion for departure from which
should arouse the friends of the Constitution
everywhere. Ifso, why did not that paper raise
the alarm in 1886, when Mr.. Adams, in this
House, backed by fifty-two northern votes, made
something more than "a suggestion" to depart
| from it?
In l845, when majority of the north voted
against the annexation of Texas with this line
in it. why was not its voice again raised? !? In
lS47 and lS48 when it was completely set at
naught and trampled upon by the north, as
have shown, why was it not then raised? Then
the contest was fierce and hot between those
who stood by that line and those who were for
its total obliteratipn. For three long years
when this contest ragged, why did the Intelli-
gencer never say one word in behalf of its
maintenance and preservation That was GER
tainly the time for any one who regarded it as
imbued with "sanctity'' and "sacredness'' to
speak. 1t is too late now. The old principle
in our territorial policy has passed away, and
we have in its stead new one. We are not,
therefore, to be shaken in our purpose to carry
out this new principle by any such clamor or
! appeals. Our purpose is fixed, and our course
1 is onward What little agitation may be got
1 up in Congress, or out Of il, while this debate
lasts, will speedily subside, as soon as this new
principle is once more yindicated Why do
you hear no more wrangling here about sla-
very and freedom in Utah and New Mexico !?
4 Because, by this new principle, the irritating
cause was cast out of Congress, and turned
over to the people, who are most capable of
disposing of it for themselves. Pass this bill
/ the sooner the better-and the same result
will ensue. This shows the wisdom and states
manship of those by whom this principle was
adopted as our settled policy on this subject in
i 1850. A cinder in the eye will irritate and in
flame it until you get it out; thorn in the
flesh will do the same thing. The best remedy
is to remove it Immediately. That is Just what
the compromise of 1850 proposes to do with
this slavery question in the Territories when
ever it arises. Cast it out of Congress, and
leave it to the people, to whom it very properly
and rightfully belongs.
In behalf of this principle, Mr.. Chairman,
would to-day address this House-not as parti-
sans, neither as wings or democrats, but as
Americans. do not know what you call me,
or how you class me, whether as whig or demo-
crat, in your political vocabulary nor do
care. Principles should characterize parties,
and not names. Icall myselfa republican, and
would invoke you, one and all, to come up and
sustain this great republican and American pol
| icy, establshedin 1850 for the permanent peace,
progress, and glory Of our common country II
any OF you are convinced of its propriety and
correctness, but are afraid that your constitu-
ents are not equally convinced, follow the ex-
ample of Mr.. Webster, after his 7th Of March
speech, when the doors of Faneuil Hall we're
closed against him. Meet your constituents,
II need be, in the open air, and, face to face
tell them they are wrong and you are right
think, sir, that great man on no occasion Of
his life ever appeared to greater advantage, in
the display of those moral qualities which mark
those entitled to lasting fame, than he did in
the speech he made in an open barouche before
| the Revere House, in Boston, to three thousand
people who had assembled to hear what reason
he had to give for his course in the Senate.
He stood as Burke before the people of Bristol,
or as Aristides before the people of Athens,
when he told them, above all things, to be
"just" In that speech Mr.. Webster told the
people Of Boston: You have conquered an in
hospitabe climate; you have conquered ster-
lie and barren soil you have conquered the |
ocean that washesyour shores you have fought |
your way to the respect andesteem of mankind, |
but you have yet to conquer your prejudices" |
That was indeed speaking "rera pro GRATIS" |
and that was scene for a painter or sculptor |
to perpetuate the man in the exhibition of his |
noblest qualities far more worthy than the oc-
casion of bis reply to Mr.. Hayne or his great
7th of March speech. Initiate his example,
never lose the consciousness that 0frttfh IL