The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-01-01
Mr.. sHKgMAs'a rLAH OF COMPROMISE.

Greeiey-Aid for sonth Cnroiina-M Major
Anderson, &C.. &c
Mr.. sHKRMAs's rLAS OF CoMPRosfsH
Mr.. Sherman, Chairman of the COMMITTED
OF Ways and Means, and the acknowledged
leader of the Republicans in the House OF
Represen tafives in letter addressed 10 and
read at Il Republican meeting IN Philadelphia
on Friday right, proposes the following set
tlement of the Territorial question
Without surrendering our CONVICTIONS in
the least we may now dispose OF the Whsle
Territorial controversy by the exercise of un-
q questioned Congressional power. The only
Territory south of the line, except that which
by treaty with Indian tribes cannot be inclu-
ded within the jurisdiction OF STATE, is New
Mexico. She has now population enough for
admission rs Staie.
Let Congress admit her as n State, and then
she has the Acknowledged right to form, regu-
late, change or modify her domestic institu-
framed, and urged upon her by Territorial
officers. Practically, slavery does not exist
there. /, can never be established there.
In a region where .he earth yields her in
crease only by the practice of irrigation, slave
labor will not be employed, At any rate, it is
better to settle all questions about slavery
there by admitting the Territory as State.
While Territory, IL is insisted that slavery
shall be protected in it, We insist that Con-
gre5s may prob hit il, and that the people have
an undlsputed right TO exclude slaves. Why
not by terminating their territorial condition,
determine this controversy The same course
might now properly be adopted with all the
Territories of The United States.
In each of the Territories there are, now,
smsll settlements scattered along the lines OF
transit. Within five years, the least populous
will contain sufficient population for repre-
sentative in Congress. Dacotah, Washington,
Nevada and Jefferson, are destined soon 10 be
familiar 10 US a. Kansas and Nebraska
1t IS well worthy the consideration OF the
10 ttnrt h.aff. a
with all Territorial organizauons--always
expensive and turbulent-aad, at once, to
carve the whole to States OF convenient size,
for admission. This was the Jeffersonan
plan, which did not contemplate Territories,
but States. 1t was also sanctioned by General
Taylor. and, but for his death. would have
been adopted
This is an easy, effec tual remedy, within the
power Of Congress, AID IN its nature an ire
vocabe TACT. There is no necessity of an
amendment to the Constitution. 1t is not at
all probable that two thirds of both Houses OF
Congress and three -fourths Of the States can
agree to any amendments.
Why attempt it, unless to invite new con
quests, new acquisitions, to again arouse Sec
uonal anImositIes We know that if Mexico
Is acquired the South will demand it for
slavery, and the North for tree titutions.-
We must forego, for the present, new con-
ques unless the love of acq uistion is strong
er than the love of domestic peace.
MIR. Sherman closes his letter with the fol-
lowing observations
Without disrespect to South Carolina, 1t
would be easy To show that Shay's rebellion
ana the WhIskey insnrrection involved the
Government Ill greater danger than the soli-
tary secession OF South Carolina. But the
movement becomes imposing, when we are
assured that several powerful! States will very
soon follow i'll the lead OF ST In Carolina, and
when We know that other States still more
powerful sy pathise with the seeding States
to The extent of opposing, and perhaps resist
ing, the execution OF the laws Ill the seeding
States.
In this view of the presen condition OF pub
lie affairs, it becomes the people Of the United
STATES seriously u consider whether the Gov
ernment shall be ted III the execution OF
its undisputed powers by the citizens Of one
or more States, or whether we shall Test the
power Of the Government to defend itself
against dissolution. Can separation take
place without war! II so, where will be the
line! Who shall possess this magnificent cap
ital, with ali It's evidences of progress and civ
ilization Shall the mouth of the Mississippi
be separated from its sources Who shall
possess the Territories suppose these diffic ur-
lies TO be overcome; suppose that in peace we
should huckster and divide up our national
ity, our flag, our histury-all The recollections
OF the past; suppose all these difficulties over
come, how can two rival Republics, OF the
same race OF men, divided only by line or q
river, for thousands of miles, with all the
present difficulties aggravated by separation,
avoid forays, disputes, and war
How can we travel our future march Of pro-
gress in Mexico, or on the high seas, or on the
Pacific slope, without collision : 1t is impos-
sible. To peaceably accomplish such results
we must change the nature of man. Disunioii
is war! God knows do not threa ten it, for /
will seek 10 prevent it in every way possible
l speak but the logic of facts, which We should
not conceal from each other. IL Is either hos
tilities between the Government and the Sc
cediDg States; or, if separation IS yielded
peaceably, tits war of factions ? galry OF
insignificant communities, hating each other
and contemned by the civilized world. II
war results, what i war it will be Con tenn
plate the North and South in hostile array
against each other. If these sections do not
know each other nor, they will then.
We are nation OF military mea, naturally
turbulent because we are free-accuS Nnled TO
arms, ingenious, energetic, brave anu strong.
The same qualities that have enabled single
generation OF men TO develope the resources OF
Il cOnti.ent, would enable us TO destroy more
rapidly than we have constructed. i is idle
for individuals of either section TO suppose
themselves superior in military power. The
French and English tried that ques Ilon for a
thousand years. We ought to know it now.
The result OF the contest would not depend
upon the first blow or the first year, but blood
shed in civil war will yield It's baleful fruit for
generations.
How can we avert a calamity at which hu-
manity and civilization shudderl l know no
way but to cling TO the Government framed by
our fathers, to administer it in spirit OF kind
ness, but III all cases, WithC ut Partially, 10
enforce the laws No State can release us from
the duty of obeying the laws. The ordinance
or act of State is no defence for treason, nor
does it lessen the moral guilt OF that crime
Let us cling TO each other in the hope that our
differences Will pass away as they often have
in times past. For the sake of peace, for the
love Of civil liberty, for the honor OF our name,
our race our religion, let us preserve the Union,
loving il better as the clouds grow darker.
an willing TO unite with any man, whatever
may have been his party relations, whatever
may be his views of the existing differences,
who is willing TO rely on the Constitution as il
ID for his rights, and who is willing to main
tain and defend the Union under all circum-
stances a. ea'nst all enemies, at home or abroad.
Pardon me, gentlemen, for writing you 60
fully. feel restrained, BY the custom of the
House of Representatives, from engaging there
In political debate and yet feel IL is the duty
brewery citizen to prepare his countrymen for
grave events, that viii test the strength and
integrity OF the Government.
Believing that our only safety is in a firm
enforcement Of the laws, and that Mr.. lincoln
Will execute that duty without partiality.
JOIN my hearty congratulations with yours
that ne is SO soon to be the President Of the
United States. With great respect
i remain very truly. your obedient eery't,
JOHN SHERMAN.
ADDRESS CT THE MARYLAND SENATOR'S TO
GOV. HICKS.
The following address, signed by the mem =
DeTS oI INC mdIJ iauu osHosc, mas Deen sent to
Gov. Hicks, of that State
BALTIMORE, Dec. 2sth, 1860.
To His Exeeilency Taos. Holiday Hicks,
Gorers0r Of the State Of Mayyland :
SIR.-The undersigned, Senators Of Mary
land, 4looking to the present disastrous condi.
tton of political affairs, and sincerely desirous
that The peace OF the country, the union OF
the States, and the rights Of the South In the
Union, shall be preserved and maintained, re-
specially ask that your Exceliency will, at
the earliest prac cticable time, convene the Le-
gislature of the State Ia order that they may
take such steps as shall to them seem most