Newspaper Page Text
governments, and offered proof that tli'n badness Is
a necessity of their nature, unit nnl an utilise of
their functions, a is commonly iiipposod. That
tlioro Is another nnd Higher Law, deserving of
moro deliberate recognition nnd moro reverent
homage than it usually receive. That to it tvenrcl
indebted for all the good wo have in the world. I
have endeavored to show that private. Judgment is
a right to 1 exercised as well as talked about, and
" that conaiicnoo ought to l.e free, and tlmt all good
voniyiencc, won d follow, and none I hat are c, ... ,
1 hat llic outward law is nothing more than the out-,
w ant record or lorm ot tlie Inward coort as Ins-,"
torr.but bad as law. That the inwnrd is tho nil';
Z. . . . , ,. , ... , , .,
snKicicnt lnw, that henlth and lire depends on the
dirrohwss of our communion with tho great source
lifr, aud that creeds and blue books are mis-1
vl.ievvM,, substitutes. That Hefonna have always
. . ,, . , ,i 1
beea-fbarneteriiedby their allegi.ni:e to the inward
biw, that not only in revolutions but in every pos-
siblo circumstance is tho inward Uw sufficient.
That the unity and comprehensiveness of despotism.
Is here secured without Its cruelty and injuMue,
that out of the alleged anarchy of individualism
, j j .
have cotno all tho glorious results in morals nnd
science, whoso'dally blessings we are now enjoying
., . . ... .. .
T, eonseientious or otherwise, , w c
are taking sides with the friends or foes of mankind,
that a peaceful conscience is the groalest blessing
and a reproaching one t.'ie greatest misery, that the
nbjeecss or a certain class of idiots is but the
consiimntion of tho work begun, w hen wc consent
in any instaneo to forego tho use or our self-gov"
erni'ng faculties, that habitual subjection to the out
ward and neglect of tho inward makes men w icked
as well as stupid and weak. Hint we rtin to tlie out
ward, not for light ft w, but to cscapo the light
nil.. ... ." , ......., .j v
pointed to Hie happiness, and honor, and dignity or
it t i ,a: . i.i. u It I I
a life of obedience to this Higher law. If I line
succeeded in strengthening your resolutions in the
right, and in somo small inc.isiiro fortifying you
against the assaults of c il, my object is accom
plished. My speaking and your listening linvo no
been in vain.
and to get liochsc instead of law ; and lastly, lmvc
DOUGLAS AT HOME.
Some two weeks aim Chicago held a numerous
and enthusiastic meeting, and condemned longlas
... q ., ,,,:.:..
and his bill. To counteract It, on ipsition.mect-:
ing was called. Of this meeting too Now lurk
Tribune's correspondent gives the following ac-
,.
CHICAGO, Monday, Feb. 13, 1854.
, . i i
S'mco tho anti-Nelrrnska meeting, of wlncli I
wrote you, another iiuenuea w isj oi a oinerem
character has been held. It was gotten up by
Isaao Cook, our Postmaster, who, by the way, was
PI.. ...'.I .!.! n...l..;..ns .K.iw.vllliif
1 IIT V llllllllllll V n 'i II.M nisinnimin, ruiiin..,..!
tho Ooiiglas ro rl'clnl, which w ero advocated by
Sir. llarvio and certain others. Puring the pro-1
cress of tho meeting it was frequently niinounccd
by tho managers that it was a freo discussion. Ac-
cordingly after nil tho ink nnd wisdom of its get-
Isaao Cook, our Postmaster, who, by the wav, was
the only Government officer hero who faces tho hill
and supports louglas openly. Tho meefing was
held on Saturday night.
the:
;i.
. 1.
tors up had been exhausted, others took the stand.
F.. C. Lamed, tho Hon. F. C. Sherman nnd tlie
, Hon. James Curtis the first a rreo Boiler, the two
lit nlil lino Democrats addressed the nicctintr in
opposition to the resolutions. Hio speech of the
lion. Jomcs V urns was an nine, icnriess rcpiy to
tho arguments nnd threats made use of to persuade
and dragoon, tho nomocracy into tho support ol tho
i"B
i thoa resolutions, n4 wish
ma. ., .;, . , ,
"received wl.li rVh cheers
Binenilinent was carried, no one doubts it ;
cors or the meeting ndinit it, although the Chair
amendment to me resolutions : -f --
Raoiwd, That whoreas on Wednesday evening
lsjrt a series of resolutions upon the subject now
ikero and eonsideratioa Wera adontad t therefore.
senlinwaUiCPuUsinca in
fully to re-affirm tho sama.
Thn nmonniiient was
as are soiciom nearu. j ne meenng eras corj mrgp,
and when the mover closed hi-reading, an invol-;e.i,U,d.ed
-i i. .1 i.i ii .ii .... I.I.. ti,
uu.u.y
the ulh-inio
who were in favor of tho. adoption of the
dons, as reported by tho lomn.it.ee, wou!d say
No was the answer-loud, clear and strong
CCrS Ol cue luoi'n,. iiuiiuij il, ...n,".... ii.v v i..ii-
witn Hai'IiIoiL it lust. 'J'o c lose no the rrave of tlie
Nebraska bifl'a friends hore, he iinnnuiiced that all
ayo.
which rung Torth
crowded meeting,
from tho thousands of that
A NOTICE.
Tho Synod of the Freo Presbyterian Church in
the I nilod State, nt their meeting in October last,
,Mi.,s.ed a proposiuon for funning an America..
irrucui uciiiNiiiuiiiiwiix " l,,,v,VJ
from communion. It is proposed :
1st. That the basis (r this Council shall be the
fundamental doctrines of the Christian System.
2. That it shall not interfere with the polity,
nnd the creeds or tho denomination or which it
shall be composed.
3. That tho objoct shall bo to conccntrato
moral power or the truo friends or rchirm, nnd
enable them to act unitedly against overy system
of oppression and wrong and also to promote
c nriscian union uu.o.i imwa w no uiu niiu...... iu
apply the principles of the Gospel to evory source
of sin and sorrow. The synod appointed a com-
mittco b) correspond with brethren of other do-
nominations, in order, if praoticnl, to accomplish
the organixation, of an American Free Church
Council by culling a (ionenvl Convention for tlmt
purpose
I', is proposcj to hold this convention nt Cinciii-
nati, somo time during tho coining spring, it
' dosired that anti-slavery papers will insert the
uiboro uotioc, and that brethren will express thoir
JOHN RANKIN.
Chairman of the Committee of Synod
Jan. 31 1854.
Dixar.Asr or Si.Avr.av in Fnr.Dr.nirit Coi ntv, Ms.
-Tho Frederick (Md. Citizen says the fact is not
' generally known that in llavor's District, in that
' county, there is not a single slave-owner, and per-
haps not ono slave. In Cntoctin, the adjoining
District, thora are but two slaves, nnu only one
slave owner. In Jackson
ayes, and only one
distri-t, which was
and seven slave-holders. In thoso three districts
which contain one-ninth of the entire population
nt tho county, we have but fifteen slaves uud eight
alavo-hulders.
formerly embraced within Uie limits ol ( atoctin
nnd Middlistowu districts, and which lies between
" ,i l 1..... I
nm rnuunuiu. i iui. ... ..... nun,! .mi,
fioXE to Texas Wo were recently informed,
liy a gentleman of IUndolph count-.-, that bo had
' reeelved a letter from a brother living in Missouri,
, stating that he know well I'leatant Jillinijlon,
precious memory, and that he had some time pro
A iuus removed to Texas. Furthermore, that suid
Kttingron was generally hated and despised, where
kuown,- Indiana Free lhmuerut.
Some Idea -tf tlio immense patronage of
''Heads of Departments undor the Federal Uuvern-
inont aaay bo had from the following statement
showing tin amount of salaries paid in each of
-, Depart uie nt iu M'axbuigtuu, not including
' -army of Postmasters, Land-agaiits, Pension-agents,
" and cither offteinltf aeattered tJirough tho country
-wd all depeinlant an the Kxscutiret
'S nte'Th'psrtiiient, annual salaries
. Trasxary I'sparlraeiit, aauaal salaries
...Interior Department, annual salurias
War Department, annual snlaraea
ivy Department, annual salaries
Sll.fKlO
f,:!8,7lll
1'
Hll.lSO
1M,..)0
J'j1 sjiin.iiil
Mil, annual salaries J2.'l,400
vrtuieot, annual sturi
. . ' . ... -
t of l:trU'f paij, .-
THE LANDMARK OF FREEDOM.
SPEECH
SPEECH OF
HON. CHAS SUMNER.
OF MASSACHUSETTS.
IN SENATE, Feb. 21, 1854.
Against Repeal of the Prohibition of Slavery
Against Repeal of the Prohibition of Slavery North of 36° 36'.
Mr. M M N Kit said , ;
Mr. rnr.tni.NT: I approach tins discussion with '
i..'g...j qoi,un, wnii m.ioici issues,
, , 'IT' 'r'V'"'. V,'" " r"c..-
tons cloud, surcharged with irresistihlo storm and
rlli( it , mi t!l0 wl),n heavens, milkjn(? lt.
painfully conscious how unequal I am to the occas-,
ion how unequal, also, is all that l enn sav, to all
j 1 r'' . . . , ', ,
1 " delivering my scntimniits here to-dnv, I shall
j ,pcnk frankly according to inv convictions, wilh-,my
out concealment or reserve, lint if anything fell
: front tho .Senator from Illinois, Mr. liorot.As, in j
''I'"''" ''' discussion, which might seem to
. ,, , eil,,r , U R r
pass my lips to direct attention, Tor a moment, from
, '... iln.A ni,,,.:, ...I.;..!, iini.. ..i..K i
'tho trans-endaiit theme, by the side or which Sen-
l,!,"r" n".'1 ''"'deiils are but dwnrls. I would not
i i.niv i.niv... ui-15 nnii.il ui'iunir to nils liiacn. I
inli nr0 ,0WPu calciilnted to teinier the antagonism
uf debate; tier can I ( rase to reiiiembcrnnd to feel,
that, amidst nil diversities of opinion, we nro the
representatives of thirty-one sister republics, knit '
together by indissoluble ties, and constituting that
Plural l int, hich w c nil embrace by the endearing
of country.
Tho question presented for your consideration
is not surpassed in grandeur by any which hns
occurred in our national history since the 1'ecla-''
of Independence. In every aspect it assumes !
gigantic proportions, vlicllicr v'v simply consider
uiiciu oi icrniory it concerns, or tho pulilic
f ' I " J nun il nuiMi., ... iiii.v
'"hrt 1"'"'oii that Wi.ni f Voi, ns Tar ;
a''"vo others ns Liberty is nhove tho common things
of life-whicl, it one.,; anew for ju.lgnie.it.
It concerns nn immense region, larger than ;he
"J'th, or the national policy that it affects, or that
original thirteen States, vicing in extent w ith nil .
tho existing freo States, stietching over prairie,
field, and forest interlaced by silver streams, I
skirted by protecting mountains, and constituting !
the heart oj' the North American continent only
littlo smaller, let mo ndd, than three great Kuro-jcious
pean countries combined Italy, Spain nnd France, I
each of which, in successionhas doniinnted over
the world. This territory hns nlreadv tiecu likenr.l
"V "oor. 10 thetjanleii ot t.od. 1 he snnilitudeof ,
eharncter, but in its actual geogrnpliicul situation,
j. found, m.t merely in its present pure nnd virgin I
character, but in its actual geographical situati
.leciipving central spaces cm this hemisphere, which, ;n
I in their general lcl.iiions, may well comnarc with a
that early Asiatic homo. Wc urc told tlmt I
Southward through Kden went a river lai -e-
" '
. -' . ..c.u.i w u.cn is .arger man uie ,
, t-uphriites. And beie. ti.o, amidst all tho smiling
, promius oi nature, lavislieu hy tho Hand ol Hod,
l
t tin lll tf 1 1 Cn
........ ...
High enunenf, blooming ambrosial fiuit
Of vegetable gold.
, It i with regard to this territory, that you are
w called to exercise the gratulvst function of the
i lawgiver, by establishing those rules of polity
nii. .. iu uvii-iiiiiiii u muire ciiarncipr, A
, promicts 01 nature, lavished by tho hand ol tlod,
, 18 lllt; Roodly lice of Liberty, planted by our lath-
,ers, which, without exaggeration, or even imagi-'ultn
nation, may be likened to j
s the
twig is bent tho tree inclines; nnd the influences 1
woj'n'P'essed upon the early clays of an empire like
those upon a child are of inconccicahlo import-
- Mil HA III II. IllllIM son i. w... Tl.lMI I-1
: J
biicc to us luturo weal or woe. I he bill now be-1
j ..r., , .t, ... urpun aim equip two new
, territorial establishments, with gowrnors, secre-
tnnes, leg smut o councils, logndaturs, judges, nuir-'nial
! v "" . . ''j cun sociciy.
jsucn a measure, nt any timo. wuu hi i eservn iheii...
niasicwroiui atiennon. nut, at the present moment, :
it junujf umin a peculiar interest, irom the ettort
made on pretenses unsustuinod by fcts iu tiula-
tion or solemn covenant of )b mU Mui-
' plea of oar fathers to open this immense region
to slavery, -- .
j According to existing law, this trrritorr is new
- "" ') posiuve pronii.mon,
in tho act ol Congress, approved March
: lib. H-2 1. tirennrninrv c. iU n, r t: :
1 .. ,.. . . .1 ..
uo i nion as a sister state, nnd in tho follow-
..... ..I..... u..ih u.
.1 . '
ml
-"r: "'i1' .?"! ".:'C'
; "" '.n,:,','. ''." "0 "f
;mo c.a.c .oincinp.ateu ny tins act, si.Avray a.m.;
INVOLI XTAKV ftlivm lis. otherwise than ns the ruin-
, -"o --"''-
1 "Skc. S. lie il '.further enartat. That in nil
territory red, d by I ranee In the fnilrd Stain, under !
ishnientof crimes, sham, he, axd is iikiieuv, FOK
KV Kit PltOHlHlTF.li. '
It is now j.rnposed lo set aside this prohibition ;
but there seems to be a singular indecision ns to
the way in which tho deed shall bo rtono. F-rom
'""""'K V) W
lasnuiiied cl.ffereiit shapes j nnd it promises to us-,
ny ns Proteus ; now, one thing i form.
- . . , ' -
'Buomumu, nnu i-ut unu tiiu nnd nun lift UC-niJ
--,1 A -II il.- I.- f il.. t !i - .r
I.Uverr "' o. cue pro.i.o.i.on oi
At first, it proposed simply to
: Stales funned out of this territory should bend
...i ... , ,
" i . .1 ' . ' , r.-...V 7.' . " . ; i 'V:
"."" """. -"-. v ..... ...I.......
For soino reason this was not satisfu
tliejtion.
sup
that the Prohibition, " being inconsistent w ith the
I principles of non-intervention, by Congress, with
Slavery in tno .states nnd J emtnriea. as rccnenized
declare, that the
and then it wn. precipitately .imposed to declare
that the prohibition 'in the Missouri net
s superseded by tho principles of tho legislation or
lM co.,,mo,,ly cnl'leU the Co.nproniiso .Measures
e and is here) declared inoperative." lint tWp
would not do ; nnd it is now proposed to declare.
is
by the legislation of 18,'itl. commonlv enlll tbnl
Compromise Measures, is horoby deeiarcd innpern-
and void."
All this is to ho dono on prrteuscs founded upon
slavery enactments of 18S0, seeking, with min-!
gled audn'city and cunning. " by indirection to find
.1! .1 - J ..
direction out." Now, sir, I nin not here to spoak
in behalf of those measures, or to lean inanvwav"0
upon their support. Itvlnting to different siibiect-
matters.contniiicd in different nets, which prevailed
nt different tiires, nnd by different
voics--some persons voting lor one measure, and
some voting for another, and very few voting for
all. they cannot be re'ocrilpd na n unit ml..wl .'ir.
conditions of compact, or com promise, ifyoii please,
adopted eiiuallv by nil part es, nnd iheief,,rn
obligntory on all parties. Jtut since this broken
series of measures has been ndduced as an npologv
fr the proposition now before us. I desire to sin".
I tlntt. such us they are, they cannot, by any effort of
intnrnreli.tinn. I. r onv .).Mii;r. it ...
I ----- j , r " ! r..r,
oj any pervorso alchemy, he transmuted into a
of
the
the
the
repeal of that original prohibition or slavery.
On tins head there aro several points to w hich 1
would merely cull attention, and then pass on.
First: Tho Slavery enactments of 18o0 did not
pretend, in terms, to touch, much less to chnngo,
tho condition or tho Louisiana Territory, which
was already fixed by Congressional enactment,
but simply acted upon "newly acquired Terri
tories," the condition of which was not already
fixed by Congressional enactment. The two trans
actions related to different subject-matters. Sec
ondly: The enactments do not directly touch the
a. .!.;.... t ui.....un a. ir .
suliieet of Slav ery during the Territorial existence
of I'tuh and Now Mexico ; but they provide pros-
nectively, that, when admitted ns Slates, they shall
lie received "with or without slavery ." Hero ccr-!
in... it .. mi i,vi utcruirow in an act in 1 ongress
which diioctly concerns a Torritory during it Trr-
ritoritd existence. Thirdly: During all the discus-1
of these measures In Congress, and afterwards
before the people, and through tho public prose, nt
inn norm anu tne Doutli alike, uopctrsou was heard
... initnt.i, l.A .. C tl ! .1 -
to intimata that the prohibition of Slavery in the
Missouri art was i.i any way disturbed. And.
Jourtldyt Ilia aula themselves contain a formal
, i.r,t isi.m tlmt .'Mi.tli!.,, I.....: .. , .I...II
"...,, ik ,.'iu,u iiuimhiiicii n.iuii m
I oonstrued to impair or qualify anything" in a cor-
, tain arficlo uf Ibe resolutions annexing Texas,
wherein it is expressly duclarcd, that in territory
J24,400innrtu.of tli MisNituri Compromise line, " Slavery
.tt involiiiitury servitude, rxiM.pt for crime, shall 1,0
."lj:.'tl,li.Mi(piidiiLitcil." . '.v . , ,.
Hut 1 do not dwell on these tiling. These pre-'can
have boon already amply refuted liy Senators
whoJmve preceded me. it is clear, ueyuiin on con-
tradiction, that the prohibition tl onivcry in mis ;
, ;ftrljr illtrelK.hlBCIll. ,rowII up ,,y nur fibers.
Xo proposition to abolish Shivery anywhere, is now
upwro you ; nui on me comrnry, a proportion i.
Territory hns not been superseded or in any way
by tho Slnvory Acts of 18o0. 1 he
before you is, therefore, original in its
character, without sanction from any former lRia-
union, rhu ii muse, aci-iirumuir, uc jmiwi "J "
mi'"i"' M nn "riil,al proposition.
1(,t u rclI1(.n,,crel, that the friends or
Freedom are nut open to any charge of aggression.
They are now standing in tho Ueiensic, guarding
iiou.im. ir,.-,-, ,.,.-... mm -., ........
often applied in reproach, justly belongs, on tins
occasion, to him who would overthrow this well-
established luiid-inark. lie is, indeed nn Aboli
of tionist of Slavery i let him be called, sir, an Ab-
!oli,i"ni"' of d"m- For Jiyself, w hether with
many or few, my place is taken, r.ven if alone,
leeblo arm shall not bo wanting as a bar against
this outrage.
On two distinct ground", "both strong against
tho deed," 1 arraign it: VW.in the tiainc of Public
loI10ln?8Uln0(, ,,cyilIlJ tel.M ,,y (hp (ll0 ,,,llil).
'sion or Missouri into tho l iiion us a .Slavo Stiito ;
ki,drv ..r n.. cii.ftM Tl..., .. t. I
i'viHi, I arraign it in tho name or Freedom, as
an mijustilluble departure from tho original Anti-
iron wry iiuucv in uor miners. i iicbv mu iicu.ii. x
propose to consider in their order, glancing under
tho latter nt tho objections to tho prohibition of
Slavery in the Territories,
And here, sir, before I approach the argument,
imlulgo mo with a few preliminary words on the
character or this proposition. Slavery is the Tor
nnnio Icihlo nubjectiun or ono human being, in per son,
labor, or property, to tho will of another. Iu this
simple statement is involved Its whole injustice,
There is no often so against religion, against mo
nition, nils, against humanity, which may liot, in tlio
licenso of this institution, stalk "univliipt of jus-
ticc. ror the nusimnil ana who there is no mar
." " ."
her infant child wi
breast ; for all who b
is nothing that they ,
father, nitliout n m
riae! for tho mother thero is no nssuranco tlint
ii will not he ravimeii irom tier
i ho bear the nanio of Slave, there
y cun call their own. Without
i mother, almost without a (iod.
tho Slave has nothing but a muster. It would be
'contrary to the Hule of Itight, which is ordained
by tiod, if such n system, though mitigtited often
by a patriarchal kindness, nnd by n plausible
physical comfort, could bo othcrwiso titan perni
n in its influences. It is confessed that the
master suffers not less than the slave. And this
is not nil. The w holo social fabric is disorgnn
i ixed : labor loses its di'.uitv i indiifdrv sickens : cd
ucalion liuds no schools, and nil the land or bla-
very is impoverished. And now, sir, when the
conscience of mankind is nt length aroused to
!thesc things ; when, throughout the civilised world,
slavo dealer is a by-wonfund n reproach, wo, ns
nation, nro nbouttooi.cn a now market to the
trnflii kers in llesh, that haunt tho shaiublus of the
l'iitli. Such nn not, nt this tune, is removed from
'nil that palliation often vouchsafed to slavery.
This wrong, wo nro speciously told, by thoso who
t defend it, is Hot our original sin. It was
entailed upon us, so wo nro instructed, by our an
cestors; mid tho responsibility is often, with ex
altation, thrown upon the motiiei country. Now,
without stomiinir to inouirn into the value of this
I ... I I. P. '..II .1.1 .1
'Cnti
eesl
npology, which is never adduced in beluilt ofuthor
abuses, and which availed nothing ngainst that
kingly power, imposed by the mother country, and
which our fathers overthrew, it is sufficient i'or tho
present purpose, to know, that it is now proposed to
(make slavery our own oniriniil net,
Here is
fresh case of actual transgression, which we can-
ot cast upon the shoulders of any progenitors,
,,nr upon any mother country, distant in timo or
plce. The Congress of the United States, the
... ..V . .. .. .. . ..
people or tho I'nited States, at this (dav, in this
vaunted period or light, will ho responsible Tor it,
L, that it shall be said hereafter, so long as the dis-
history of slaverv is rend, that, in tho year
iirist 4, a new and iluliherato act was passed,
.!.:. .1.
roads
n Mist Territory was opened to its in-
Alone in the company of nntions does our coun
try assume this hntetul championship, in despotic
'n,.ii in. (,e ..,, hh,J nnd treasure
wmK K
canning icsirii ico n posiino pronihition, 1
ninnv Willi tl.n epiiernl rniiu.'i..iici si-.ilun it
.,,. ... . ..TV . - . - V .i ii" i
. , ,..i., ,i,.,lll Ul.ll.u. ,ll 1. llllll'l
liar, institution" of that great empire, is never
allowed to travel w ith the imperial flag, according
to the Aniciicnn pretension, into pr'cn inces ncwlv
but
in hnr-
Russia, tho soi'ldom which constitutes the " pcclfn
Pr"". '" ' f Pussia is rigorously enforced on every
i l ,, ,.: :;. 11 ..- ,.
a. 'iv, ... .... '.., mi. I., I," ,ll iJl-l-i.l UIJI1 .III IIIC
- 1. !.. .... .1.. ... .1.... r. .
u. a m, b as' IZ to" ,7 , , V
inmortant territories with aves. Tl,,.. Il .:.
'k. rr lv,..l. .i ,,;... . ,i, .u-Z
V .. ' "
.' ',, ,
dogma ot t ur country. Far away in tho Fast,
tho "gateways of the day," in effeminate India,
slavery has been condemned. In Constantinople,
the queenly seat or the, urns' powerful Mohammedan
empne, where barbarism still mingles with civiliz
ation, the Uttomnii Sultan hns fastened upon it tho
..; n ,.e ,i;un....-..i.ni:.. ti.a i,..i .
m. of pn-baiion ' The llaid S , o
A)- ; ' 10 (nnl0 vmMi, Jf ttti,uur.
V,,, c Blll,l0s;ti" r " d rlembline
iiu.mib. i IK.1P ( imn o. mil ifi "
IU'11,
Khttnf,cli i(lt Abolitionists,
'"'at the very name or slavery may perish from tho
, .:...,, ,,r .... ... . .,.,. f,, ,., ,,
. , i, !
, 'V'
r .
peculinr institu
which sought shelter in both, havo been
Algiers, seated on the
..f 'tc.o ..... 1 . i i
!V "7i "r i
.'""""l'l "J "iiiuiiiii.i IHH-I. I'Alllt'Bi'L'U
i i :.. .i . j- i . . Jl
iiii-mri, HuuiijKu in iiiu lunnui inrina oi n irentv,
I ' ' '""7 "V"18 ".
wn?T.r.!:f.V:1..B,Vl ,0 Ul"1"',f;,"sh '" "
"""" " f. 1 u " " o" worU8,,o uo
a 77?,,'"! T Witi..n Ihrnug ,ou Ins dominions,
thristuiu America bo willing to bo taught
I ! V"? om,l',"- Vd lorh" V."" "ur "!''-
heir of nil nges, foremost iu tho tiles of timo"
nncw tl.o barbarism which they have
As tho effort now making Is extraordinary
ehnructcr, so no assumption seems too cxtraordi
live nary to be wielded in its support. 'J he primary truth
jf ,IC F.qunlity of Men, ns proclaimed in our Doc
tho '"ration of Independence, bus been assailed, and
,,,'s (ir(,at Charter of our country discredited.
........ n. 1 I a... I I n.. ... .. ill .'. .
'j'ouand I will soon pass away, but that w ill continue
aland, abovo impeachment or quostion. The
i Declaration ot Independence was a Declaration
Might's, and tho lungiiiigo employed, though genc
suceessivcly, r".' i,s character, must obviously bo restrained
i I Mr Pe""- ,sir. t a pulpuplo luct that men
, arc not norn cquin in physical strength, or iii men-
capacities, in beauty or form or health of body.
jnese mortal clonus oi nesh uiltcr, ns do these
worldly gannoiits. Divorsity or inequality in those
within tho design and rphore or a Declaration
Kights. involving no sueli nbsurditv as was rrril..
utcd to it yostcrduy by tho Senator from Indiana,
respects, is tho law of crcatjon. Hut, as Uod is
'rest erter or persons, nnd as all nn omml ;..
, ...,. , ' - . -
"'n'n. w er i -ives or j.uiarus, master or slave,
are nil cquui in uuiurai inoorn rigntr; and, pardon
mo, ir 1 say, it is a vain sophism to adduce in argu
ment against this vital axiom or Liberty, the phys
ical or mental inequalities by which men aro char
acterised, or tho unhappy degradation to which,
violationjof a common brotherhood, they are doom
ed. To deny tho Declaration of Independence
to rush on the bosses of the shield of tho Almighty,
w hich, in all respects, the present moasuio seems
do.
To the delusive suggestion of the able Senator
from North Cnrojina, Mr. Uaiiuer, that by
overthrow of this prohibition, the number of slaves
HI not be increased ! that thuro will ha inmlv
iivficont diffusion of sluvory, and not its oxtension,
reply atonco, that this argument, il of any value
; not moro worus anil nothing else would equally
'justify and require the overthrow or the prohibition
of shivery in tho froo States, and, indeed, overy
sioii I whore throughout the world. All the dikes which
i in different countries, from timo to time, with
march or civilisation, have been painfully set
against the inroads or this evil, must be removed,
and every land opened anew to its destructive
t flood. It is clear, beyoud dispute, that by the ovcr-
..r .1.:. I . . ill I . .
iniuw ui ..its iiru.iiii.i.iiii. luii.rv will im nil
ened, and slnvea themselves will bo multiplied.
while new "room nnd vorge" will bo secured
'the gloomy operations of slave-law, under which
freo labor 'will droop, and a vast territory will
1 smitten with sterility. Sir, a blade of grass would
jiot (ii-ow tchen; the hnjse i f Attila hud liod j
any true prosperity spring up in tli foot-prints
of the slave.
But it 1 suggested that slaves will not bo car-
rjj m0 Jscbrnska in large liuml.ers. mid tlmt.
I ,, Kcbruska on the west, all covering nearly tl.
lm,me spaces of lattitudo, and resembling each otln
, tul climate .and productions
therefore, llio question Is of small practical mo
contravened ,ncl,ti f,T Uistinguisbcd colleague, Mr. Kvra
proposition tTT j i, G,l(,ignl speech, hearkened to this
aujjgestion, and allowed himself, while upholding
ib urn uliltiun. W Uisnaraire its Iinnnrtnnca in a
manner, from which 1 fed constrained kindly,
,)Ut mo,t rcn1)U,ly to tlis9cnt. siri ti,e cenll
,l,ws that it is of vital eonsennenrn. There is
i MHouri at this moment, with Illinois on tho cast
10
nit eavh other
Mark now the
I piu.e accessible to liumnn nvarice. or human lust,
i or human force whether in tho lowest valley, or
contrast! Ity tho potent efficacy of the ordinanco
of tho Northwestern Territory, Illinois, is now a
free Stale, whilo Missouri has f",4-2 shvosjaml
the simple question w hich challenges nn answor
is, whether Nebraska shall bo preserved In the
condition of Illinois, or surrendered to that of
.Missouri? Surely this cannot bo treatod lightly
Hut Tor niyscir, 1 am iinwilline to mensuro the
cxicency of the prohibition by the number ofi
persons, whether many or few, whom it may pro-
. . ii .. ; i . . i..i I .!:. :
lect. iiiiiiiau riguis, wuciocr in m biiiiiu.j i..
dividual or a "vast multitude, nro entitled to nn
equal nnd unhesitating support. In this spirit, the
Hag of our country only recently become tho im
penetrable panoply of a homeless wanderer, who
claimed its protection in a distant sea j and in this
spiril, l inn coiisiruuii'u lu ucciuru mm iiiciv in ..v
a
of
.
on tho loftiest mountain-top, whether on the broad
tlower-siianirled priuries. or tho snowy caps ot uie
Itocky Mountains w hero tho prohibition of slave
ry, like the cnnimnndinentsor tho Hccnloeue should
not go. lint leaving these things behind, I press
nt once to the argument.
1. And now, sir, in tho nnnio of that public
faith, which is the very ligament of civil society,
nnd which tho groat Koman orntor tells us it is
despicable to break eicn w ith an enemy, 1 nrraign
this scheme, and hold it bn to the iudiromcnt or all
who hoar me. There is an early Italian story or
nn experienced citixen, who, wncn ins nepnew
told him be had been studying, nt the I'nivcrsity
of llologna, the scieneo of riyht, said, in roply,
"Vou liuvo spent your time to little purpose. It
would Imvo been bettor had vou learned tho science
ot might, (nt that is worth two of tho other:" nndi
the bystanders of that day nil ngrced that the
veteran spoke tho truth. 1 begin, sir, by assuming
that honorable Senators will not act in this spirit
that they will not substituto iiui( for ri;flit-
that they will not wantonly aud flagitiously dis
card any obligation, pledge, or convennnt, because
they chanco to possess tho power; but that, as
honest men, desirous to do right, they will con
front this question.
Sir, tho proposition beforo you involves not
merely the repeal of nn rxisting'law, but tho in
fraction or solemn obligations originally proposed
and assumed by tho south, after a protracted nnd
embittered contest, ns a covenant or peace with
regard to certain specified territory therein de
scribed, namely: "All that territory ceded by
France to tho I nitcd Stales, undor the name or
liouisiuna;" according to which, in consideration
oi tno admission into tho I nion ot .Missouri ns a
slavo State, slavery was rorcver prohibited in nil
tho remaining part of this territory which lies
..!. ..c 'ii:o -in ti.: ...k i... .i:r
iiuiiii vi uu vyj , i iiib nrruiiu c-inuiil, ut'inrvii uii"l
ferent sections of tho l iiion the slnvo States i.r
the fir. t part, nnd the freo States of tho second
pnrt though usually known as tho Missouri com
promise, was at tho time styled a cohtact. In
its stipulations for slavery, it was justly repugnant
U tho conscience of tho North, and ought never
to have been uiado ; but it lias on that sido been
performed. And now tho unperformed outstand
ing obligations to rrccdom, originally proposed
and assumed by tho South, are resisted.
Years have passed since these obligations were
embidied in tho legislation of Congress, and ac
cepted by the country. Meanwhile, tho states
men by whom they wore framed and vindicated,
have, ono by one, dropped from this earthly sphere.
Their living vciccs cannot now be heard, to plead
for tho preservation of that Public Faith to w hich
they wero pledged, lint this extraordinary lapse
is
nf timo, with tho ccmpleto fruition by ono party
of all the benefits belonging to it, under tho coni-
at
..r
of
r
-
by
pact, givo to tho transaction nn addod and most
sacred strength. Prescription steps iu with new
bonds to confirm the original work ; to tho end
that whilo men are mortal, controversies shall
not bo immortal. Heath, with inexorable scytho,
has mowed down the authors or this compact
but with conservative hour-glass, it has counted
out a succession of years; which now defile, before
us, like so many sentinels, to guard the sacred
landmark or Freedom.
A eiinplo statement of facts, derived from the
journals or Congress nnd contemporary records,
will show tho origin and nature of this compact,
tho intluonce hy which it was established, aud tho
obligations which it imposed.
As early as 1818, at tho first session of the
Fifteenth Congress, a bill was reported to tho
House cf Representatives, authorizing tho people
or the Missouri Torritory to form a Constitution
and State (iuverniucut, for the admission of such
State into tho I nion ; but, nt that session, no final
action was had thereon. At the next session, in
February, 181'J, tho bill was again brought for
ward, when an eminent lieprcseutativo of New
lorlc, whose lilo has been spared till this last sum
mer, Mr. Jauf.s Tai.i.madce, moved a clause pro
hibiting any further introduction of slaves into the
proposed State, nnd securing freedom to tho chil
dren horn within the State nftcr its admission into
This importaut liromisition, which assumed a pow-
er not only to prohibit the iugrossof Slavery into
the States itself, but nUo to abolish it there, was
passed iu the affiirmative. after a vehemont. debate
of three days. On a division of the question, the
first part, prohibiting tho further introduction
slaves, was adopted by 87 yeas to 70 nays ; tho
second pnrt, providing for tho emancipation
children, was adopted by 82 yeas to 78 nnys.
inner propositiona to thwart
in
of
wnr the oporation
theso amendments wero voted down, and on tho
17th or Fobruary the bill was read a third timo,
and passed, w ith thesn important restrictions.
lii tho feiiato, alter debate, tho provision ror the
uiucipation of children was struck out hv 31
emancipation of children was struck out hy 31 yeas
to 7 nays ; the othor provision against tho further
introduction or Slavery, was struck out by 22 yeas
to 16 nays. Thus emasculated, the bill was re
turned to the Houso, w hich, on March 2d, by
vote or 78.eays 70 yeas, refused its conourronco.
The Senate adhered to their amendments, and
or' t',e 1IoU80' b 78 J,01" to COnaja, elhered to thoir
I lngrcemciit ; and so at this session tho Missouri
no
I.;.
so
in
is
to
the
l.n.
1
if
the
up
i
pk.
for
Unco wel
be Uhire, "e
It was s
nor ! half of S
hill was lost; and hero was a touiporarv triumph
of Freedom.
Meanwhile, the same controversy was renowed
on tho bill pending at the same Jime for tho or
ganization ol the jerntory of Arkansas, then
known as tho southern part of the Territory
Missouri, iho restrictions already adopted
the Missouri bill wero moved by Mr. T.vloh,
New crk, subsequently Speaker, but aftor
least six close votes, on the yeas and nays, in ono
of which tho IIouso was equally dividod, 88 yeas
to 88 nays they wore lost. Another proposition
by Mr. "Tayiair. simpler in form, that Slaverv
should not hereafter be introduced into this Terri
tory, wns lost by 'JO nays to 70 yeas i and
Arkansas bill on Fehauary 26 th was read the third
time nnd pnssed. In tho Senate Mr. Bcbbii.l,
ll node island, moved, as an amendment, the pro
hibilion of the further introduction of Slavery into
this Territory, which wns lost by 10 nays to
yens. And thus, without any provision for Free
dom, Arkansas was organized as a lerritory ; and
here was a triumph of Slavery.
At this same session, Alabama was admitted
ns a slave stato, without any restriction or ol jco-
ClU.l.
It was in the discussion on tho Arkansas hill,
nt this session, that we find the earliest suggestion
... a ."iiiriuiiiM.'. Kcicmeu iii ins cnorts to pro
hibit Slavery in tho territory, Mr. Taylor stated
that "he thought it important that some line should
be designated beyond which Slavery should not
permitted," and ha moved it prohibition here
after in all territories of the United States north
of 30 3(y north luttitude, without any exception
mm m norra oj mm III, j his propo
sition, though withdrawn after debate, was
welcomed by Mr. Livormoro, of New Hamp-
! uiuiiu iu uieiruc npriru oi compromise,
spoused by Mr. Khea. of Tennessee, on
r Shivery, who avowed himself against every
restriction nnd also hy Mr. Ool.s, or Pennsylvania,
on behalf of Freedom, who was "against any Com-i
promise by which Slavery, in any of the Territories ,
honed hy t engross." ,
.1 ,
' '
should bo recognised or sanctioned
in mis spim 11 wns opposeu ami supported oy
others, among whom was general Harrison, after
wards President or the United States, who "assent-1
cd to tho expediency of establishing some suoh line
of discrimination ; but proposed a line duo west
Irom the mouth ol the lies Moines, tuns constitut
ing tho northern, and not the soothering Iwundary
of Nissouri, tho partition lino between Freedom
and Slavery.
Hut this idea of Compromise, though suggested by
Mr. Tavios was thus early adopted nnd vindicated
in this very dobato, by an eminent character, Mr.
Lot'ts McLank, or Delaware, who has since held
high office in tho country, and enjoyed no common
measure of public confidence. Of all the leading
actor in these early scenes, he and Mr. Msacca
nlono aro yot spared. On this occasion he said:
"The fixing of a lino on tho west of tho Missis
sppi, north of which Slavery should not be toler
ated, had atvayt been with him afarorilt jmlicy, and
ho hoped the day was not distnnt when, upon
principles or yhir er.mjrmmitf, It might constitution,
ally be effoctud. Tho present attonipt ho regard od
as prcmaturo."
After opposing the restriction on Missouri, lie.
concluded by declaring ;
"At tho same time, I do not mean to abandon
tho policy to which 1 alluded In tho commencement
of my remarks. 1 think it but fair tlmt both sec
tions of tho I nion should bo accommodated on this
subject, w ith regard to which so much Teoling has
been manifested. The same great motives of
policy which reconciled and harmonised the jarr
ing and discordant elements or our system origi
nally, and which enabled tho framers of our happy
Constitution to coinproiuiso the different interests
which then prevailed on this and other subjects, if
property cherished hy us, will cnnhlo us to achieve
similar objects. If we meet upon principles ol) re
ciprocity, we cannot rail to do justice to all. It
hat all-ratty brenamtreil, by ytntlcmtn on thit Jtoor
from the iiotith and the Mrsf, that thry Kill arrte
inion a line tchirh thall ditide the ularrhMinif t'ron
,t -i lu..,.. a .-. ii..-. ri
iic jiui-aiuncrttiiiiiic i-inirir. 11 i triia linnHwiuoH l i
amauiov,toftrct; butlxti.hto rffn-t it by some
compart whichlmlt be bimU,,a yron alt F''.l
rni mvvnntrm iiryuiamrw : which cnnm'i nc -ciinnir-
ed, nnd w ill not fluctuate with the diversity of feel-
;,. nr.m!n,ni,i ...i,:i, !,: ..:' i i,
ing nnd or sentiment to which this empire, in its
march, must bo destined. There is n vast nnd
immense tract or country west of the .Mississippi,
yet to bo sottled, nnd intimately connected with
the Northern section or tho Inion, upon which
this compromise can bo effected."
The suggestions of compromise were at this timo
vain; cacti party was determined. Tho North,
by tho prevailing voice of its representatives,
claimed all tor lrcudom ; tho South, by its potential
of the Seuato, claimed all lor Slavery, j
Tho report of this debato aroused the country,
tho first timo in our history, Freedom, after
an animated strugglo, hand to hand, had boen kept
in rhcok by Slavery. Tho original policy of our I
Fathers in tho restriction of Slavery, was suspend-
cd, and this giant wrong threatened' to stalk into all I
the broad national domain. Men at tho North
wore humbled and amused. Tho imperious do-
mandsof Sluvery seemed incredible Meanwhile.
tho w holo subject was adjourned from Congress to I
;
Through tho press, and nt public
meetings, nn earnest voice was raised ngainst tho I
ncimission oi .Missouri into tne i nion without the
restriction of Slnvcry. Judges left tho bench, and
clergymen the pulpit, to swell the indignant pro
test which went up from good men, without dis
tinction of party or of pursuit.
T he movement was not confined to a few rcr-
sous, nor to a few States. A public meeting, nt
Trenton, in New Jorsy, was followed by others in
New York and Philadelphia, and finally at Wor
cester, Salem, and lloston, where committees
wore organized to rally the country. Tho citixens
of Baltimore, convened at tho court house, with
tho Mayor in the chair, resolved that tho future
admission of slaves into tho Slates hereafter formed
west of Mississippi, ought to be prohibited by
Congress. Villages, towns, nnd cities, by memo
rial, petition, and prayer, called upon Congress to
mnintuin the great principlo of the prohibition of
Slavery. Xl.esamo principle was also Commended
by tho resolutions ol Stato Legislatures; and Penn
sylvania, inspired by tho teachings of Franklin
and the Conventions or tho respectable denomina
tions or Frionds, unanimously asserted at once tho
right and the duty of Congress to prohibit Slavo
ry wero or tho Mississippi, nnd solemnly appeal
to her sister Stales to refuse to convenant with
crimo." New Jcrsy and Delaware folluwod, both
iubo unanimously, uino asserted tho same prin
ciplo; so did also Indiana. Tho latter Suite, not
content with providing for tho future, severely
censured one of its Senators, for his vote to organ
ize Arkansas without tho prohibition of Slavery.
The resolutions of N'cw York wero reinforced by
the recommendation ori'E Witv Clinton..
Amidst these excitements, Congress enmo to
gether in December, 1811), taking poscssion or
cue-so nuns oi tno capitoi lor tho lirst tuna since
their disolution by the British. Chi tho day niter
the recoipt of tho President's mossage, tho several
committees of tho House were constituted, mm to
considor tho application or Maine, nnd tho othor
oi Missouri, to enter the I nion ns generate and
nut iiciiociii rMu.es. t nn ouiy the delay ot a
singlo day, the bill for the admission of Missouri
was reported to the House without th
of Slavery ; but, as ir shrinking from tho immediate
uiscussion oi i nc great question it involved, nfter-
I wards, on the motion of Mr. Mm m. of Vinrinin
1,8 consideration was postponed Tor several weeks ;
l'ich, ho it ohsorved, is iu open contrast with
4,10 wannor In which the present discussion has
of
of
been precipitated upon Congress. Meanwhile, the
.viame hill, when reported to tho House, was
promptly acted upon, aud scut to the Senate
In the interval between tho report or the Mis
souri bill and its consideration by tho IIouso a
committee was constituted, on motion of Mr.
of; Tvi.on, or Now York, to enquire into the cxpo-
dicney ot prohibiting tho introduction or Slavery
I ,nt0 -Writorios west of the Mississippi. This
committee, at the end of 'a fortnight, was dii-
1 cimrgcu irom lunuer eonsiucration ot the suliject
veaslvn'vn " wftB uuderstood, would enter into tho
a
of
in
or
at
of
14
ho
of
at
be.
postponed debate on the Missouri bill. This carlv
effort to interdict Slavery in the thenTerritorics by
special law is worthy or notice, on account or
some of the expressions of opinion which it drew
forth. In the oourso his remarks, Mr. Taylor de
clared, that "he presumed there wore no members
ho knew of none who doubted the constitution
al power of Congress to impose such a restriction
on the Territory."
A generous voico from Virginia, recognized at
once the right nnd duty of Congress. This was
trom Charles en ton Mercer, who declared that
"When the qucstiou proposed should come fairly
before tho House, he should support the proposi
tion. Ho should record his vote against suffering
the dark cloud of inhumanity, which now darkened
his country, from rolling on beyond the peaceful
shores or the Mississippi."
At length, on the 20th January, 1820, the IIouso
resolved itself into Committee or tho Whole on
tho Missouri Bill, and proceeded with its discus
sion, day by day, till the 28th of February, whon
it was reported back with amendments. But
meanwhilo the sumo question was presented to
the Senate, where a conclusion was reached earlier
than in that House. A clause for tho admission
m issoun was moyeuDy way ot tack to the Maine
bill, lo this, amendment was moved by Mr.
Roberts, of Pennsylvania, prohibiting tho lurthor
introduction of Slavery into the State, whioh, after
a fortnight'! debato, waa defeated hy 27 nays to
10 yeas. .
The dobato In the Scnata was of unusual interest
and splondor. It waa especially illustrated by an
effort of transcendent power from that great law
yer and orator, William Pinkney. llecently re
turned from a succession of missions to foreign
courts, and at this time the acknowledged chief
,1, . l ... i i .. ..i i-ii . .,
w ..uidiksu unr, jnriicmttr.y sifcHieu. in questions
of constitutional law, his oourso as a Senator from
Maryland waa calculated to produce a profuund
impression. In a speech which drew to this Cham
ber an admiring throng for two days, and which
at the timo was loudly compared with the best
exuinples of Ureeco and Home, he first authorita
tively proposed and developed tho Missouri Com
promise. His mastorly effort was mainlv di routed
against tho restriction upon Missouri, but it began
and ended with the idea of com promise. 'Not-,
wiiustunqiiig, ne says, "occasionally ftppenrancos
of rather an unfavorable description, I have long,
since persuaded invscir tlmt the Mimiri question,
as it is called, might bo laid to rest, w-itn innocence
ana saiuty, py some conruiarwg i ;miii
least, by which, as is our duty, wo might reconcile
tho extremes of conflicting views ai.d feelings,
without any sacrifice nf constitutional principles."
And ho closed with the hope that the jrestriction
on Missouri would not be pressed, but that the
whole question "might be disKised or in an a man
ner satishictnry to all, by a )o.iHirr j,rthibithm t.f
Slatery in the 'Teiritory to the north and rrsf nVif
touri.
This nuthoritntivo proposition of Compromise,
from the most powerful advocate of tho uncondi
tional admission of Missouri, was made in the
Senate on the 21st of January. From various in
dications, it soeins to have found prompt favor in
that body. Finally, on tho 17th ot February, tho
union of Maine and Missouri in ono bill prevailed
there, by, 23 yeas to 21 nays. On the next day,
Mr. Thomas, of Illinois, who had nlwnys voted
with the South ngainst any restriction tipon Mis
souri, Introduced tho famous clause prohibiting
Slavery north of 30" .'iO', which now constitutes
tho eighth section of tho Missouri net. An effort
wns made to includo tho Arkansas Territory with
in this prohibition i but the South united against
this extension of the area or Freedom, and it was
defeated by 24 nays to 0 yens. Tho prohibition,
as moved by Mr.'TitojiAs," then prevailed, by 34
yeas to only 10 nays. Among those in tho n Air ill
ative wero both tho Senators from each of Ilia
slnyo States Ioiiisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky,
Delaware, Maryland, and Alabama, nnd also one
of tho Senators from each or the slave States, Mis
sissippi and North Carolina, including in the hon
orable list the familiar names of William Pinkney,
James Hrown, and William llufus King.
This bill, as thus amended, is the first legisla
tive embodiment of tho Missouri Compact or Com
promise, tho essential conditions of which wero
the admision or Missouri as a Stato without any
restriction or Slavery; and the prohibition of
Slavery in all tho remaining Territory or Louisi
ana north or 30" 30'. The bill, thus composed,
containing these two propositions this double
measure finally passed tho Senate by a test vote
of 24 yea to 20 nays. Tho yeas embraced eVcrr
., - t. . . C- .1 t i f r
!0U,.lJcrn. ty"' tl,n"
S1,i,",1'n"' '",J Mum t,,m,h' of ,S,u,h
f ,.... . . r'.itl ..9
0 M'- LT.'.'K't. ,",,FPT.".t '"., s 'i t",l,'r,J' of
oouin varonnn, voicn wnn .nr. cmiin,
Mr. Sl'MNKH. No. sir. The Journnl, which
I now hold in my hand, shows thut he voted for
the Compromise. I repent that the yeas, on this
vital question, embraced every southern Senator,
except Mr. Macon nnd Mr. Smith. The naya
embraced every northern Senator except the two
Senators from Illinois, nnd one Senator Irom Klioclo
Island, and ono from Now Hampshire. And this,
sir, is the record of tho first stago Jn tho adoption
of Missouri Compromise, rirst openly annonn
cominaud ced and vindicated on tho floor of tho Senate by
a distinguished Southern statcidiinn.it was furc
For cd ou tho North by an almost unanimous Southern
vote.
(Conr-tudcd nrxt Week.)
mmmmmmmmmmmt
n
tif Ii i 5 m 1 1-G t rt 11f111 tl fl 1 1
l 1 VHIWI j W U y l.
.
Snlrin, Ohio, Itlnrch 4, 1834.
THERE WAS A NORTH.
of
,
There was onro a north, nnd though shivered
and broken hy earlier compromises, still it exerted
a political power, before which tho southern poli
ticians did homngc, till tho fatal compromiso of
1820. Since when, an utter destitution of control
ing power, has mnrkod our northern political his
tory. Before that, southern aspirants fur the pres
idency courted tho North. They pandered to
northern joalousy of slnveholding aggrandizement
and to northern prejudices ngainst slave exten
sion. They yielded lo northern opinions then, tho
same defcreneo in kind, (though not in degree,)
as the north now yields to tho South, But whon
the question or admitting Missouri came up,
freedom and sluvery met in open conflict. Free
dom, positivo at first, yielded nt length, aud that
battle won, all subsequent conquests have been
easy. The north has submitted to every insolonce,
and yielded to every demand, till now submission
is a matter of course, ami slaveholders do not even
say, "by your teare, Sir,"
The chapter from Col. Benton's History, relative
to tho purchase of Florida, sets nut this Tact most
vividly. Wc may stato that Florida was purchased
and the ratification of tho treaty of purclmso with
Spam, was pending before congress during tho
same session which first rejected Missouri's appli
cation Tor admission to the 1'iiion, viz.: 1818.
This same provinco of Texas, of which wo havo
sinco henrd so much, was then in dispute Spain,
says Mr. Benton, was thcu willing to ccdo it to us.
But our government was unwilling to receive it.
And the roason he assigns for this refusal, must
seem marvelous to this age of filibustering and
slavery extension. What that reason was, wo givo
in Mr. Bcntun's own language After quoting
from Mr. Monroe's correspondence a paragraph
which attributes tho refusal of Texas to " internal
difficulties," ho says;
This paragraph from Mr. Monroe's letter lid.
tho curtain which concealed the secret reason for
coding Texas that secret which explains what
was incomprehensible our having refused to a-
cctit as much ns Spain had offered. Internal diffi
culties, it was thus shown, had induced thut rofu-
sul; aud these difficulties grow out of tho repug
nance of leading men in the northeast to see tho
rurthor aggrandizement of the Union upon tho
South and West. This repugnance wns then tak
ing an operative form in the shape of the Missouri
controversy ; and, as an immediate consequence,
threatened tho subversion of political nartv ll.ins.
and the introduction of the shivery question Into
iho federal elections and legislation, aud bringiug
into the highest of those elections thoso of Presi
dent nnd Vice-President a tat tchica no KHdhern
candidate could ttand. The repugnance in tho
northeast waa not morely to territorial aggran
dizement in the southwest, but to the consequent
extension of ilarery ii that quartet : and to allay
that repugnance, and to prevent the slavery oxten
sion question from becoming a test in the presi
dential eloctiou, was tho true reason for giving
away Texas, and tho true solution of tho enigma
involved in tho strange refusal to accept as much
as Spain offered."
Strange indeed it may seem to Amoricans in this
day, for their government to refuse slavo holding;
territory, and tho very torritory where alavory'a
best staples are produced. And for suoh cause,
too, because southorn aspirants fur the presidenoy
could net otherwise obtain northern votes. But
that day of northern powor has passed, long since,
and wo can hardly credit tho truth of tho history
which avers that it once existed. We in these hit
ter days give up Toxas, and the Presidency to boot.
We give them Utah, Now Mexico, ten millions to
Texas, tho Fugitive Slave Law, and lost of all,
Franklin Pierce into the bargain. And now they
ask Nebraska, and its freo lands to be paid, as a
bonus Tor its settlement witli slaves. -: ..
What was the policy of the north, a policy whiuh
aetod powerfully, and somewhat successfully upon
the government thirty years ago, we will let Mr.
Benton himself state. The contrast between that
period and the present, oannot fail to strike every
reader. What progress has our govermnent aiada
towards despotism in the lust generation I : !
Mr. Bunion, speaking of the treaty for the pur
chase of Florida, says: , (
The point to he now noted of this treaty of 181
in, i. uuu.,iuicii, .urj iivnr.y, ine extinction Or
slave-territory within Iho limits of the United
Stales, and that il was tho work of southern men
. with ihc sanction tf the South. It Ulinguishcd
