The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-20


ing our respective views,
in moments VI great excite
ment, there had nat been
faults on both sides. You
have well decided 70 forget
past collisions, and to enter
upon a generous rivalry in
the sacrifice ofpersonal feel
ings upon the altar of har
mony. This is the best, II
not the only, way in which
such reunion can be made
eflectual.
The subject upon which
we have differed is that
which now furnishes the
leading issue between the
principal parties In the COM
ing election, and to which
all other matters have ba-
come sub0rdinate--that of
slavery in the Territories.
Ny own course ia regard
To it has been one, ny the
record Of which | shall al.
ways be willing 70 be
judged, whenever and wher-
ever the acts Of an ingivid-
ual are deemed OF sutl., cent
importance 70 attract auan-
ton. The same thing can,
l doubt not, be said by
those of you who have
differed from me; and there
We must leave that matter.
We cannot control each
others opinions when argu-
inents fail TO convince, and
should not desire 10 do so
If We could. ] have from
the beginning preferred the
node OF dealing with the
subject Of slavery in the
Territories adopted at an
early day by the founders
oil the government, and con-
tinued to a recent perioi,
and have uniformly resisted
a departure from il. No
man in the country can have
been more sincerely opposed
10 the repeal OF the Missouri
COMPROMISE. | was in
formed Of il under circum-
stances calculated TO make
an American must sensitive
IN regard to all domestic
acts from which be thinks
there sreason TO appreheud
danger to the perpeiuity Of
cur political institutions-in
a foreign land, surrounded
by the subjects and advo-
Gates Of despotic power.
Deeply sensible Of its injus
tice, and foreseeing the ex-
tent TO which the measure
would reopen slavery agi-
tation-the deleterious eli
fects OF which few We're
more capable Of appreciat
ing than myself did not
hesitate to condemn the act.
But the measure has been
accomplished, and the 1ues-
ton that presents itself TO
those who agreed with me
in that condemnation Is,
what is the best step 10 be
next taken In the matter
with reference simply to the
public INTEREST," The propo
sitions brought into view by
the principal parties in the
approaching election, con-
sist of:--1st. Tue restDra-
ton of the Missouri Compro-
mise; I'd. The settlement OF
questions relating to slavery
in the Territories by the di.
rect legislation OF Congress;
Sd. The immediate admis.
sion of Kansas As q free
State under the Topeka Con-
sutution; and 4th. The exc
cution OF the Nebraska
Kansas act. without regard
to the latter movement.
Upon each OF these propo.
sitions l will say enough
70 possess you with my
views in regard 70 themes
II Is worthy Of remark
that Notwithstanding the
seeming fitness OF the form
Of redress embraced In
the first proposition, there
has not from the be
ginning been any thing
like unanimity in OPT
MON, on the part OF
those most opposed to
the repeal Of the Missouri
Compromise, In favor OF
making It's restoration
q principal issue In the con.
test. THIS has doubles.
arisen In part from q distrust
OF success, founded IN the
political condition OF the Sc
nate, the length OF time u
must take 70 press the point
with n hope of It's accom-.
plishment, and the weight
of influence the proposition
must encounter. But other
considerations have. ! be.
lieve, contributed ~ this re
suit. The Only Territories
left for the Missouri Compro.
mice 10 act upon, if II were
restored, are those To Texas
and In Kansas. The restora
ton Of the compromise, if
effected. might come IN sea
son Tor the conversion OF the
Texas Territory into q slave
State or Statcs, but one can
scarcely doubt that the Kan
sas question viii have been
settled before that Of the
restoration Of the comprc
mise, with however mucn
energy tho htter might be
urged.
VI tho restoration, OF the
old mode OF settling such
questions, ! willspeak here
after.
The Convention which
framed the topeka consii
tuition was convened witt
out specific authority from
Congress, IN despite vi the
viii ofthe Territorial govern
menl. which IL recognized
~ legitimate by the FEDERAL
Executive. aud ala hot
aven profess 90 repre-
sent more than a part Il
Tho people u the Territory.
Bot the objections ~ the
admission Of a new stat
into our confsderacy. orrl
nizcd under such circum.
stances. are sought ~ be
removed by thc grave
charges that the legislative
branch Of the EXISTING Ter.
ritorial government was not
chosen by the people Of the
Territory, but by lawless.
and. in some instances.
armed, intfuders from Mis
sour, who interferei in tho
matter with q design o.
make the Territory a slave
state, against the wishes ~
n majority of the people
thereof-that a redress ut
this grievance, through THE
fundamentally Of the Judi
eisrv, IL. for reasons assign.
ed, inprac,icable, ami that
the President and Terrific.
rial Governor appointed by
him, desiring 10 promote the
policy OF the Missouri inva-
ders, refused to extend 10
the actual residents OF the
Territory the protectic IN
respect N the exercise ~
the right OF suffrage, ~
which they were entitled
under Me organic law.
! do not think IL nece 81
ry, In the view I have
taken Of the subject, 10
enter into a discussion 81
the truth Of these charges.