The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-01-29

Journal before It is read on toe following day,
he accordingly struck out The word Safe, Tor
The purpose as he afterwards expressly stated
OF leaving tie real question perfectly uHprfI-
udiced by any incidental occurrence, and
without either sfitmiug or denying one thing
or the other concerning ii. On the journal
being read on the morning OF the l2lh, mo-
lion was made 10 restore tie term inserted
by the clerk aud erased by the speaker,
which after an animated debate was deter
mined in the negative, upon tie OF T6 TO TO,
by the casting vote OF the speaker. "A mo-
ton to re consider this vote, was lost by I'll
in favour 10 " against.
The house thus refused 10 amend their jour
pal by recognizing Missouri as State. 1t
was then moved by Mr. PARKER Of Va who
had voted for making Missouri Safe, 10 in
sert the word territory. Ii was thought I'M
necessary by the house to alter their record
in that manner, and so determined by near
ly unanimous vote. 1t was then moved by
Mr., Barbour Of Virginia, TO term II The late
territory. But this was also refused by vote
OF 10 10 81 Therefore while the house de-
clined saying in this sudden manner, that IL
1gas territory, they refused to say Il was not
territory and resolved by a decisive ma
jOriy, that il was not State.
Some other Intellectual motions were made,
and the whole day was consumed in the dis.
cussIon. After repeated motions TO adjourn
itvithout success, the house finally rose al a
much later hour than usual without adopting
any amendment of the journal, and there be-
ing specific motion to that effect before
the house at the period Gifts adjournment, the
subject properly subsidized. But il was fruit
! lessly renewed in the next day by motion
of Mr. REED, of Georgia, implying a censure
on the speaker for alteration Of the journal,
which was rejected by the house, 90 to At
Mr. REED having inadvertently described the
papers presented from Missouri as petitions,
again moved on the following day to subst-
tute the more dignified phrase of memorials
This was also refused.
Upon the whole it is impossible not 10 per-
ceive. that The question before Congress, al
the present session, is substantially The same
as i was the last. 1t has probably become
sufficiently apparent that if Missouri is allow
ed TO hold slaves, she will certainly exclude
free coloured persons,--her policy requires
7 it, and the right she will exercise. IF she IS
given this a'lch, she will take that Ell. 1t was
very Justly observed therefore by Mr. RAN
DoLrH,. ~ speaking on one of the foregoing
motions, that il the Constitution of Missouri
bad contained an inhibition OF slavery, moth
ing would have been heard of on the other
part OF the subject. And for this very good
reason, that there would have been no occa-
sion. r.t
1t is TO be regretted, that.the question should
have assumed somewhat Of a geographical as
pect. But it has become euch only by the
representatives of the south insisting on ex-
tending Slavery into other regions, contrary
to the united senlim ents and feelings Of the
north and west. If the former would only
unite with the latter in their regard to the
rights Of man, this local appearance Of differ
ence would be entirely done away, and il
would only remain a question between the
friends and the enemies of humanity, or the
advocates and the adyersaries Of extending
human misery.
! II can hardly be said however 10 which
branch of'the moral or geographical division
MAINE belongs, while she has one representa-
tive, who, whether in the house or in the
senate, uniformly votes on the side OF slavery.
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