The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1820-08-23

terrific. y NJ. w. Of the Ohio, is not, nor never
was, Of any value Or 10 il 10 arm the soulh-
csn and western people with afgu mems from
our own mouths, in any attempt which may
possibly be made to Introduce slavery into
she territory from which IL is now by law
forever excluded! The truth is, the whole
act 10 compromise, q compact, an. ADJUST
mont of conflicting interests and opinions
and faithless indeed must mat cgisaturs be
which shalt ever alter Il without the consent
Of both partiss.--Such . thing 10 not to be
supposed, nor 10 there any precedent in our
government to warrant such proposition,
nor sny probable fact from which il can be
Inferred. Tho Hoose Of representatives
contains decided msjosi'y opposed to sia-
very. Af,ef, the next census that msjori,y
will probably be largely increased. Bs the
Senate a. II may, the law Is fassed, and IL
yequires the concurrenes Of 6o,h branches 10
repeal it. The point 10 gained, aud the
ground not TO be sgsin fought oyes.
but am rsprssentod ssiackiog 6rmness
and having been frightened into the compro-
mise. I might de mand some evidence of
this timidity, either In this or former cases,
TO ius,ify the charge. Blu, let the case speak
for itself An important subject is pending,
In which tho interests and passions OF differ-
ont sections of the union are enlisted oppo-
eition and rscriminatien have increased tho
excitement, and tho perlioaciiy OF the will Is
como in aid of tho profsssed convictions of
the understanding. Is Il unbccomiDg rcpub.
Iican 6rmncss TO regard the whole case and
itr consequences To look TO tho possible
results OF differing opinions, heated by local
preiudices, sectional distinctions, piiyHie in
ietcst, and party passions! o. Is that only,
frmness, that pcrseveringiy adheros to one
course in the pursuit Of on object, not only at
the hazard of losing the object sought for,
but Of others Of infinitely moro importance |!
What had TO gain or lose by tho compro-
misc more than another, moro than either OF
you1 NolLing. But had duty to per.
form. That duty conscieatiousiy discharg.
ed, sccor ding TO my best judgment, regard.
ing only the interest OF my country and the
rights Of humanity.
But we're there in fact no difficulties in this
case No danger to DO spprehended Z
Nothing ftted to alarm the friends Of the
Union Then indeed were some csuseless-
j. alarmed, who have long stood he guard.
lane Of our union and independence, aud with
whose names Il would be unbec coming 10 me
20 associate mine. Wore we not triumph.
sn,iy asked, on The floor Of Cong, ess, "if you
refuse to admit Missouri on the same foolIng
With tho other States, and she reject your re-
s,riction, how will you enforce itl Will you
10 ]; q the point Of the bayonet ]! Wnero
ere your men, and whom will you scnd
Thoss of Ken,ucky, or Tennessee, orgothsrs
bordering on the Mississippi They will not
hsht on that sids in this cause. VIII tho
friends Of peace arm ,hsmseives sgains, their
brethren, and eht 10 compel Missouri 70
come into the Union on terms which she con.
elders degrading, and not on an equal footing
with her sister S,alesi Have you mode
your calculation and looked to the end ?"
These que stions oil point 10 what oogh, no,
TO be named, and which, no, wit hstanding, the
discussion of this subject has rendered tamil
lara dissolution OF the union. And 10 there
Q man In Rhode lsland who does not dread
this dissoiulionl L. there ono who will
speak lightly oti!l II there be, he Is trai.
tor 10 his country. IL there State in, the
union which hes half 60 much to lose by this
dissolution I Scarcely permitted 10 breathe
under colonial government, what would she
do, bcrcit of the protection 0f our confeders.
eys- The surrounding States become TO us
foreigners, what would become Of our com.
merce and manufactures? Indeed, . dissolu.
tion of the union would probably provo our
political death, ard result in out becoming a
county Of Connecticut OF Massachusetls. Or
suppose new contederacy to be formed from
the Northern section Of our coantry, do you
imagine that We shouid be allowed sn equal
represent alton 10 any branch Of that conied
orscy With Massachusetts These things
considered, would you hasard our union by
refusing TO agree 10 q compromise Of difficult.
ties, when you were satisfied tha. you gained
by the sg cement, on the very subject which
occssioned the difficulties Would you make
90 allowance foe the prsjudices of your bretb,
rem on subject on which some Of y9u now
living, and mos, Of POUR fathers, once had tho
sane prejud'cesi And will you condemn
your Representatives; and s,igmause him as
sn advocate Of Slavery, for being influenced
BY considerations like these : 1851