The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-11
The ,ece.,iOpi,,s are insansly bent on counting
destruction.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 2, 1861.

destruction.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 1861.
Mr.. Adams proposition to pass an enabling
-, 20 allow New Mexico to come in at once n
, state ON the basis Of her territorial bill. viii
no, answer. The arguments for II i've briefly
stated in recent letter. those against 1t w
propose to give with equal brcyity.
First. There Is not sufficient number OF
inhabitants within its borders to justify its or
ganiration into State, there being probably
in all not over 40, 900, some twenty thousand
Of whom are Mexican poems, or persons in
limited slavery The proposition to allow such
limited population, and of this ehara'ter, tive
Senators in Congress is one that would not BE-
just to the larger States.
Second. Its admission, should il come in
with slavery ,nominally 50 though 1t might be-
would make the Southern boundary in Its en-
tire length slave territory, and as a conse-
quence, If future acquisitions of territory were
made by either eonquering Orpurchasing other
slices Of New Mexico, II would be, whatever
might be the pretext, for the purpose OF max
ing additional slave territory, and the resnlt oil
the whole matter would be, that although the
measure might be Of present service in quoting
agitation, yet, should the South continue with
in the borders Of the Union, there would be
perpetual trouble about the matter. Unless its
admission was accompanied by some leSisla-
ton To prevent the acquiring Of new territory,
the trouble OF the present would only be Quoted
at the expense Of still greater trouble hereafter.
No such accompanying legislation can be had.
TaiTd. There Is no reason why the free
States should be called to give up any territory
to the chances OF its being made slave terri
tory. New Mexico when il came to the nation
was free, and the treaty under which 1t was
acquired stipulated that II should remain in
that condition, and to make it anything else
would be a violation of the treaty which gave
il 90 the nation. To be sure Mexico is weak,
and physically unable to make us respect such
stipulations, but Punic faith is very bad
thing with which to go before the world. Some
thing is due to the observance Of treaties even
ifthey arc made with weak and Insignificant
powers. New Mexico is no part Of the terri
tory covered by the old Missouri Compromise.
and no fair argument can be made that because
il is below 80 80 ii should be given up to slay-
cry. The result Of the presidential election
was practical declaration on the part OF the
people that the territories. when they were
admitted as States should come in clothed with
the drapcry of freedom, and those who aided in
elIectiug that result are not called upon to
make concessions which will, whether justly or
not we do not say, be regarded by many as
a compromise ofprinciple.
These are, in brief, some Of the reasons why
this proposition of Mr.. Adams should not be
entertained, and which will compel many Re-
publicans to go against it. Having stated in
previous letter the arguments in its favor We
felt bound to give those against 1t. There is
not any good reason for believing that the
Southern cotton States would accept 1t as a
compromise without something else which the
free States could not yield without forfeiting
all claims to respect, and therefore it is hardly
worth talking about at any great length. The
treason and madness Of the Southern Cotton
States is fast producing a conviction that fur
Their attempts to satisfy them are useless, and
that if they will have ii so, they must suffer
the certain penalties of their folly. The seiz-
ure of the property of the nation at Charleston,
and the antics which South Carolina is indulg-
ing in generally. coupled with the persistent
efforts which her disunion traitors are making
10 seduce other states from their loyalty, and
70 bring about general confusion has very
much weakened the desire for Cancellation, and
is most naturally preparing the public mind to
take the chances for full and final settlement
Of the subject Of agitation even should 1t be
necessary to effect il by the alternative pro-
vdked byI Southern treason, eirR irar. out Of
which m the end would surely come permanent
peace to the free States.
The most moderate of the Republicans in
Congress, those who have been the most earn
est and active in efforts to allay the excitement
at the South, are getting to feel that If the
Cotton States want war rather than peace, and
are determined to have fight At any rate, so
be il. the country at large will not shrink from
Il. In our Judgment the ipresent pleasure
which the South Carolina rebels find in hurry
ing up the civil strife will be purchased at the
expense Of a future pain which they will fluid
difficult to bear, should the war they are
seeking be OF long continuance.
1t is said here to day that that the disunion
Gov. Of North Carolina has seized the United
States forts at the mouth Of Cape Fear River.
Doubted. The news Of the seizure of Forts
jackson and Pulaski, Georgia, By order Of Gov
Brown Of Georgia is without doubt correct.
Thus go the current Of affairs. Loo.