Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-03-01

fpenf which il made Of tho question OF res
friction ought not TO be disturbed that, THIS
opinion limited their subsequent inquiry TO
the confederation Of the single question, whe.
Their the consultation which Missouri has to- M
cd for herself contaiaed any thing IN II. which
Furnished valid objection to her incorpo,a.
ton in the Union And on that question. they
thought that there was no other provision in
that constitution 10 which Congress could, Of
right. take exception, but that which makes
Il the duty of the legislature OF Missouri 10
pass laws to prevent free negroes and muiat.
toes from going to and settling ia the said
state. In regard TO that clause. the same di-
versity of opinion existed among the mem-
hers Of the committee which had been previ.
ously manifested 10 the House one portion
believing IL liable TO an Interpretation repug-
nant to the constitution ct the U. >. aud the
other thinking il not exposed TO that objec.
ton, or that fit were, the exceptonable in-
terps citation was superseded by the paramount
authority Of the federal constitution.
With these conflicting opinions. the cora
nittee thought il best that without either
side A5an.l ,a,n: its opinion. an endeavodr
should be made to frame an amendment 10
the SeHate's resolution, which. compromising
neither, should contain an adequate security
against any violation Of the privileges and i'm
munities Of citizens of otbsr states in Missouri,
and, majority Of the committee thinking that
such stcnrity could not be sufficiently afforded
without some previous act TO be done by the
legislature of Missouri. the amendment was f.
nnlly agreed upon which they now beg leave
to report. LiIf ta
According to this amendment Missouri is
to be admitted into the Union, upon the flin-
damental condition. that she shall never pass
any law preventing any description OF persons
from going TO, aud settling in. the said state.
who now are or hereafter may become, citi-
gems of any of the states in this Union; and
upon the legislature of the said state sigui.
flying its assent TO that condition, by solemn
public act. which is to be communicated 10
the President of the u. s. he is to proclaim
the fact. and thereupoa the admission of the
said state into the Union is TO be complete,
without any further or other proceeding on
the part of Congress. To prevent. however,
this amendment from being considered as
impairing any right which may appertain 10
Missouri. in common with other states, to ex.
clnde from her jurisdiction persons under pc.
cuIiar circumstances (such as paupcrs, vagaa
Bonds. DC a farther proviso is added, declar
ing that nothing in the said amendment is TO
be CONSIGNED TO take from Missouri when adj
mitted into the Uuion. the exercise of any
night or power which the original states may
constitutionaliy exert.
The modification which the committee thus
respectfully recommend of the Senates res0-
lntion, is the resnit of spirit of copcord, un-
DER tue guidance OF which they have anA ions
~ songht.- without the sacrifice Of principle on
eithsr side, TO reconcile the variant Opinions
among them. There cannot be doubt bnt
that Missouri. solicitous as she must I've o par.
sicipate IN ALI the high advantages OF our ex
celIent union, will eagerly seize the opporiu-
fai cons,ituiion, by giving the solemn pledge
which she is asked 10 make, TO respect the
privileges aud immnnities which il secures TO
citizens OF other states-a pledge become me-
crssary, IN the opinion OF IA large and respec.
table portion oil the House by the terms which
she has employed in clause OF her constitn-
lion Nor VIII there be q doubt of the sinceri.
~ or efficacy OF such pledge On the other
hand, u, by posiponug for "a short period her
admission into the Union, circumstances every
day less and less important in consequence
Of the lapse oftbe time allotted TO this session
S'iose who ihonght her ipvested with a per
feet right 10 he admitted without deiay are
not fniy gratiiied they will be consoed by the
Rejection. that The amendment requires only
the performance of a precise aud Aimrlc aci.
which cannot he mistaken by the highly re.
sponsibie officer 10 whom the Judgment of
It's execution Is coniided. And the whole House
must he graliiied with any proper disrosi-
ton OF the subject, which will henceiorth free
the public deliberations from the agitation
aud disinib aace TO which il is but TOO likely
always 10 give rise. Anu yonr committee be i.
Iteve that all must ardently unite in wishing
an ainicabie termination ola question, which,
~ IL be longer Kept open, cannot fail 10 pro-
huce anu possibly TO perpeiuaie, piejudices
*nd animosiiies among people to whom
me conservation OF their moral ties should
lie even dearer, If possible than that of their
political bosd. Sharing as the commit ee do
largely ~ this sentiment, they respectfully
submit 10 The Honse the amendment which
they propose, IN the hope that il will be re-.
ceived and considered in tue same spirit ia
which IL has been devised.