DEAR SIR,—The fate
of the Compromise Bill is still doubtful in the Senate, though public opinion
here is against its success. Nothing but the prowess of Clay could have kept
the breath in it to this time.
The news from New
Mexico, if confirmed, knocks the bottom all out of the compromise. If they
organize a government there, choose a governor and a legislature, appoint
judges, &c., it will present a very pretty anomaly for us to be sending
governor, judges, &c., to them. But the great point is the presumed proviso
in their constitution. With that, the longer the South keeps them out of the
Union, the more antislavery they will become.
. . . Well, Downer,
it is the greatest godsend in our times that Taylor was elected over Cass. It
is the turning-point of the fortunes of all the new Territories. Had Cass been
President, they would have all been slave, and a fair chance for Cuba into the
bargain. I am not sorry because I did not vote for Taylor; but I am glad others
did. I think he has designedly steered the ship so as to avoid slavery. . . .
Best regards to your
wife. You know you always have them. Look out for the boy, and make a hero of
him.
SOURCE: Mary Tyler
Peabody Mann, Life of Horace Mann, p. 304-5
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