The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-04
THE PENDING ISSUE AND IT'S AUTHORS

HE fENOiNd IcSUE AMI IlS AUIHOhS.
1t is impossible to magnify the Importance Of the
issue pending before the two houses Of Congress-. 1t
il an issue pregnant with results Of veal or to
the country. II is All issue between immediate pac-
6cstion and continued agitation Whether the clouds
which have lowered 80 long over our heads shall
separate and disappear leaving clear horizon light
cd by the benignaDt sun Of peace and prosperity or
whether they shall gather thicker and blacker per-
haps to break forth in storm, and 70 thunder with
the artillery Of destruction, depends upon tho com
ing weeks action Of Congress.
II we are to believe the advices that come to us
from Kansas, that Territory is not only anxious but
importunate for immediate admission into the Union
ON any terms whatever. Long the sport Of factions
and the prey to civil convulsion; prepared to as
sumo the responsibilities of independence and con-
potent to wear the robes Of sovereignty; eager to
devote herself 70 material and practical pursuits
and disgased with politics a trade -the most ul.
profitable Of all calIings when diligently pursued
and impeded only in The Improvement Of her unri-
vailed physical advantages and in her rapid rise to
wealth aud power, by the anarchy which reigns in
her borders and paralyzes all her energies she
proscnts demand for immediate release and relief
of Congress, which patriot citizen or statesman
can lightly disregard.
five turn away from her special case and look
abroad over the Union at large, we shall realize
more imposing aud imperative urgency In the do
nand for the immediate settlement Of this Kansas
contest The result of 1856 revealed the immnence
OF the danger which was threatened the Union from
this wretcled dispute. But two States of the North
and but ono Of the South were found exceptions 10
the fact of asecona arrangement of parties, by States
as well as by maiorics Of people. The great object
of the House bill for protractng this agitation and
complcating this sectional quarrel beyond the posi-
bility Of Adjustment il, to accomplish in 1860 alto
gether, what was achieved in 1856 almost, without
exception. One year more of sectional elimination
and recriminatiom; year Of appeal TO the
prejudces OF the honest northern masses, by the
blackrepublican appliances of falsehood and SLAM
der; one year Of ncendiary invocation to the
North and of wauton evaporation TO the South over
this convenient pretext of Kansas--and the black
republicans expect that they will have succeeded in
preparing the way for success in 1850 which was
partially incomplete in 1856.
It is the object this House bill to keep alive this
pFttcNt 80 aS 10 piece out tnlB Kansas agitation
the requisite additional year The opposition claim
overwhelming majority in The Territory of Kansas
They could, therefore, by their own confession have
ended this controversy at the polls year ago, if
they had desired to do But their policy was to
keep il alive; and, by the aid of few facie north
ern democrats and susceptible southern know-notl-
ings, they have succeeded in doing 20 another unne
cessary year and entire additional session of
Congress. This unlcokcd-for success emboldens
them to attempt repetition Of il; and they are will
ling to make any sacrifice of principle to achieve so
important desideratnm of policy.
Accordingly have they cspcuscd at the eleventh |
hour that doctrine Of popular sovereignty" which
they had bitterly resstcd for three years, and accept
ed from the hands Of few democrats bin which |
imbodes pro-savery and anti wilmo proviso primer
ps at least in their most obnoxious form They are viii
ling TO support obnoxious BILL despite of its pr;nc
ples for the sake Of Its object and practical resuls
They are content to allow the delulcd propoupd.r.
Of the bill TO amuso themselves with the abstrac, |
principles it imbodies while they run OFF with the
practical advantages which will como Of IT. They |
are content 10 leave their allies the full benefit of the
shell, while they enjoy the oyster
II is for the southern and those northern dem
ocrats in the House who have signalixcd lifetime
by effective warfare against abolitionism TO /
decide whether they viii consent to play out