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at the same time； by an unavoidable implication； that the
national legislature shall have all authority to control the
consequences of this war。 It may dispose of its prisoners and its
conquests according to its own views of policy and justice；
subject only to the great principles that modern civilization has
introduced into public concerns。
One can understand why a different theory is in favor at the
South。 It would be very convenient； no doubt； to the slaveholder
to be permitted to transfer his slaves to the gold diggings； and
gather the precious metal in lieu of a crop of cotton。 But this；
the policy of the whole country forbids。 Congress has very justly
left the decision of this very important matter to the people of
California itself； and they have almost unanimously raised their
voices against the measure。 This； after all； is the really sore
point in controversy between the South and the North。 The
fugitive slave has been； and will be given up to the legal claims
of his master； and； in a vast majority of the people of the
North； there is no disposition to disturb the legislative
compromise that has been made of this matter。 It is true that the
North still owes the South a great deal more； though it may be
questioned if the machinations of demagogues and the ravings of
fanaticism will permit it to discharge the obligation。 Penal laws
should be passed； punishing those who meddle with this grave
interest out of the limits of the State in which the parties
reside； and energy should be shown in rendering such an act of
justice effective and sure。 Good…neighborhood； alone； would exact
some such provision from every well…disposed community； and there
cannot be a doubt that good policy coincides。 The abolitionists；
beyond a dispute； have only had a tendency to rivet the fetters
of the slave； and to destroy the peace of the country。
Emancipation has not been extended a single foot by any of their
projects； while the whole South has been thrown into an attitude
of hostile defiance； not only towards these misguided persons；
but to their innocent and disgusted fellow…citizens。 There might
be a hope that the well…intentioned portion of these people； and
it is both numerous and respectable； could be induced to adopt a
wiser mode of procedure； were it not that dissolute politicians；
who care only for the success of parties； and who make a
stalking…horse of philanthropy； as they would of religion or
patriotism； or any other extended feeling that happened to come
within their influence； interpose their sinister schemes to keep
agitation alive for their benefit。 This； then； is the actual
state of things； as between the North and the South； and we will
take a hasty view of its probable consequences on the growth and
commerce of the towns at the mouth of the Hudson。
｛California = California； newly conquered from Mexico and where
gold had been discovered in 1848； had in 1849 adopted a
Constitution banning slavery； at the same time that it applied
for admission to the Union as a free State； it was admitted in
1850 as part of the so…called Compromise of 1850； which included
the Fugitive Slave Act empowering the Federal Government to seize
and return slaves fleeing from slave to free States｝
It is undeniable that any serious derangement of the political
institutions of the country； would produce a very injurious
effect on its prosperity generally； and perhaps in its immediate
influence； primarily on its commerce。 But the first reverses of
such a calamity overcome； we do not see reason for believing that
the well…established principle； that trade will make its own
laws； should not apply to these towns as well as to any other
place known in the history of the world。 New York； as has already
been intimated； at this moment contributes quite as much to the
prosperity of London； as it would probably have done had the
political connection between England and her colonies never been
severed。 Making allowances for the greater prosperity induced by
the political independence of America； it is not improbable that
she even contributes more。 Society and trade enact their own
laws。 The first is found to be mainly independent of the
influence of political power； and the same； with certain
qualifications； may be said to be equally true of the last。
But we see little to apprehend from this source of danger。 If the
slave…holding interest would be rendered really more secure by
separation or secession； then； indeed； such a result might be
looked for with some degree of confidence。 But it is very certain
that the measure would lead to an escape of most of the slaves
near the northern frontiers of the Southern Confederacy； as well
as of a vast number of those who live at a greater distance from
what would probably be the dividing line。 The North has been
aroused to the necessity of being just； and of adhering to the
conditions of the Constitution； and the recent measures of the
country go to prove there is no real disposition； in the masses；
to do otherwise。 The attachment to the Union is very strong and
general throughout the whole of this vast country； and it is only
necessary to sound the tocsin to bring to its maintenance a
phalanx equal to uphold its standard against the assaults of any
enemies。 The impossibility of the North…western States consenting
that the mouth of the Mississippi should be held by a foreign
power； is in itself a guaranty of the long existence of the
present political ties。 Then； the increasing and overshadowing
power of the nation is of a character so vast； so exciting； so
attractive； so well adapted to carry with it popular impulses；
that men become proud of the name of American； and feel unwilling
to throw away the distinction for any of the minor considerations
of local policy。 Every man sees and feels that a state is rapidly
advancing to maturity which must reduce the pretensions of even
ancient Rome to supremacy； to a secondary place in the estimation
of mankind。 A century will unquestionably place the United States
of America prominently at the head of civilized nations； unless
their people throw away their advantages by their own
mistakesthe only real danger they have to apprehend： and the
mind clings to this hope with a buoyancy and fondness that are
becoming profoundly national。 We have a thousand weaknesses； and
make many blunders； beyond a doubt； as a people； but where shall
we turn to find a parallel to our progress； our energy； and
increasing power？ That which it has required centuries； in other
regions； to effect； is here accomplished in a single life； and
the student in history finds the results of all his studies
crowded as it might be into the incidents of the day。
A great deal that has been done among us of late； doubtless
remains to be undone； but we are accustomed to changes of this
nature； and they do not seem to be accompanied by the same danger
here as elsewhere。 The people