The Arkansas banner., 1843-12-16

 manGuvre which bids fair to become the no- torious synonym ofClay-yes, by "compro- mise," discussion was concluded, and Mis- souri admitted into the Union, without re- striction, as to slavery, in relation to herself But what was the character of that compro- mise-what it's bearing upon other portions of the countryi By the eighth section of the act admitting Missouri, the existence of slavery is forever prohibited Sin all that ter ritory ceded by France to the United States, under the name of Louisiana, which lies north of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north latitude, not included within the limits of the State contemplated by this Act, &c.n It was truly observed of this compromise, at the time, that "very few, perhaps, are en- tlrely satisfied with the manner of its ad- justment." It might have been as truly said that no one should have been satisfied at all, with either its manner or its substance It was base abandonment of principle, by both parties. On the part of the slave-holding States, it was not only dishonorable at the time, but may yet prove suicidal. It not only recognized the right of Congress to legislate on the subject of slavery; but provided for almost surrounding some of the e-holding States with convenient ''cities of refuge" for their slaves. This is matter for deep thought; and connected, as 1t is now becoming, with the Texas question, is pregnant with fearful consequences. But what cared Mr. Clay for all this? ''What was Hecuba to him, or he to liecuba2" The integrity ofthe Consttu- ton was not cob-web in his way, the rights and the interests of the slove-holding States weighed not feather in the balance, when his object was to propitiate the favor of his darling manufacturers of the Eastern States, and to gain temporary eclat by appearing in the lion-hide of maganimity, which cover ed, not indeed the stupidity of the ass, but, what is infinitely more despicable, the mean cunning of the jackall
 Nor is this all Discussion and "com- promise" were not yet ended; though too much of both had been already done The ad- mission of Missouri was not complete, by the act of Congress, until she had duly certi- fled to that body, that she was properly or ganized, Sc. During the summer of 1920. she completed her organization, and present. ed herself for representation, as a sovereign State, in the next session of Congress- The former "compromise" had not satisfied the a6olitionists but, as might have been ex- pected, had only served to encourage them to renewed opposition, and to whet their ap- petite for farther concessions. A pretext for their unhallowed purposes, was found in a clause of the Constitution of the new State intended to protect herself against the ingress of free negroes and mulattoes. This clause made il it obligatory upon the State Legisla- ture-"as soon as might be, to pass such laws as were necessary to prevent free ne- groes and mulattoes from coming to and set ting in the Stale under any pretext whatever That the State had perfect right to make such provision as this, both in her funda- mental law, and by her statutes, can be de- nied only by those who hold that free ne- groes and mulattoes are parties, equally with the whites, to our federal compact, and to all our social and governmental arrangements. Where is the individual, among us, who holds such monstrous doctrine as that l? ''If any, speak, for him have we offended D and would offend. Opposition to the admis- sion of Missouri being, now, ostensibly founded upon this clause of her Constitution, the whole field of discussion was again open edehnd become even more angry and embit- tered than at any previous time. Where, then, was Mir, Clay? Instead of being at his post, as the representative of slave-hold- | ing State whose vital interests were at stake, he had resigned his station as speaker of the House, and found 1t convenient to be at home. attending to his own private affairs Having, at the two preceding sessions of Congress placed the combustible materials, and applied 7 the match, he now stood of, at comfortE ble distance, and contemplated, doubtl@ @ss with delight, his machinations Gin the full tide of successful experiment." Thus he waited, until six weeks of the session had elapsed; and, without doubt, would have waited longer, but that the opposition of the negro party begun to yied to the determined firmness of the Southern statesmen-headed by the gallant Lowndes. His abolition sym pathies were fired anew, and he hurried on to Washington to the rescue of his sable friends But how was this to be accomplish ed? His old resource-his infallible etrump card" was again brought into acquisition, and another "compromisen was effected l- Ay, a compromise and such an one, that, whether it be considered in respect to the