The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-26
CITY OF WASHINGTON, FRIDAY NIGHT, MARCH 26, 1877

le03 Inc opposiuon TO tins glorious measure being
toled by the overwhelming voice OF the American peo
pie turned their batteries against the permission of slave
rs there. Unprepael for this attack when the State OF
louisiana was admitted in lsl2, upon the application Of
Missouri IN the year 1918, for admission into the Union
the storm burst forth in all its fury. Yes, although
Missouri applied in the early part of 1918 for admission, il
was not until the Goth OF February 1921, after many
trials and dangers in her way, that her admission was
consumme,ed. And what occurred, Mr.. Chairman, du
ring the camor of opposition against the admission oil
Missouri into the Union? An immense territory was
ceded to Spain to concate this northern influence Tex
as-the State which have the honor in part to repre-
sent, and the title of the United States to which, in the
language OF John Quincy Adams 'was clear their
title to the island of Oreans'-was ceded by this same
Mr. Adams, then Secretary of State Spain the 22d
OF February 1872 IN part for the REIMBURSEMENT OF the
right of Spain the territory of Oregon Here age
territory Gargoied array for free 1t is that the
south obtained Florida, but what is Florida in conparl-
son to the boundless and fertile praires OF Texas,
tending from the Goth to the AID degree OF north latitude
and times large Scotland and ireland combined
Mr. Chairman, do not speak at random in saying that
Texas coded to Spain partly to satisfy the feelings OF
opposition engendered towards the south by the agitation
OF the Missouri question. In letter from Mr.. Monroe
who President of the United States the time of this
surrender addressed to General Jackson, dated May 49,
1890, apologzng for this treaty, which may be found In
vol 81, Niless Register, pages 343-i, he says:
THE Missouri question has excited feelings and raised
difficulties which did not exist before.
Having long known the repugnance with which the
portion OF our Union rather OF those who have
have any interest or wish Of that kinds ihu avs
seen It's ACKNOWLEDGEMENT the est and south have been
ida for the present. and until the public opinion IA that
shall be reconcled to any further change mention
with spain alone but are ikgse internal proceeding
from various causes, which certain prompt 10
s yiss and uFH to the account OF "e' o'" ambitious
Here, sir, we have the statement of the Chem Presi-
dent OF the United States of the which led TO the
surrender of Texas L was the ambitious views OF the
northern or eastern politicians, (not of the people and
the reacquisition of Texas in 1915, by the voice OF
the northern people, IN opposition TO northern politicians
secret circular men, and dH shows the popriety OF the
distinction made by Presden, Monroe between the people
and the politicians.
But sir, this surrender of Texas did not satisfy the
eastern politicians Missouri was not to be permitted TO
select tor herself her domestic institutions, and thus
enjoy the rights guaranteed by the constitution to every
State but her application TO be rejected unless she
abolished slavery then existing within her limits. This
difficulty was, however after protraced struggle, COM
promised, and the patriot trusted forever but the dis
cusSons OF this session have shown how allacous are
the best founded hopes, when they conflict with the
bilious Of politicians The south finding they were
the weaker in numbers agreed what is called the Mis-
sour compromise, which is in these words
SEc g. And be further enacted. That in all that terri
tory coded by France to the United States under the
OF Loisan which lies north of 30 degrees 80 minutes north
latitude not included within the limits of the State, [of Mis-
SOURI, slavery and involuntary servitude otherwise than
the punishment OF crimes whereof the parties shall have
bited prorded ai,a That any person escaping into
the sane from whom labor service wfuly claimed in
may be lawfully reclaimed and conveyed to the person
claiming his or her labor service as aforesaid"
/ (The line OF SO degrees 30 minutes is the southern
boundary of the State of Missouri.)
This compromise forever secured the prepondegaace OF
political power in the north 1t secured of the grand
objects of the politicians and, that being attained,
be hoped that they will not push their plans originally
conceived for purpose already accomplished, point
that will endanger the integrity Of this Union.
| This compromise, Mr. Chairman, has been bitterly
denounced by many gentlemen who have advocated the
amendment now under consideration. 1t has been re-
presented as trick, cheat upon the north and its
northern supporters have been held up to public condem-
nation as traitors to the section of country which they
present Never there totally unIounded state
ment made in the face OF the world fact that only
sepen members from The northern States, OIL ofhe one
hundred and tarent-seven ach'M the north then had IN
both houses Of Congress Uoted against the Missouri
promise hne Does it not bear internal evidence of its
being northern measured Is it not concession and
guarantee to the north, without any concession or guar
antee at all to the south But the object of this mis-
representation palpabe 1t is for the purposes OF
political power, Gas has been openly avowed on this
floor to make that unpopular which put upon the
south by northern votes, and acceded to by but small
majority OF southern MEMBERS for the sake of conclia
ton, harmony and with earnest desire for the preser
walton OF the Union Let us look into the impertStGe
record OF this compromise and see whether is de-
serving Of being ''kept' by the American people The
south this day. stand up for its observance
and il for the OF the north to the fearful
question propounded to them will you do likewise J
ask the records the Missouri compromise of northern
southern origin Perhaps its paternity. if traced, may
revive that attachment for its offspring that enoined
by law of nature. Well, then sir, it is of northern ex
traction Il was first proposed in the United States Sem
ate Dy the Hon. jesse Is. lhOmaS, senator from ne
State of Illinois, and afterwards introduced into this
House by Mr.: Sorrs, very distinguished member from
! the State of New York. AS this compromise the
best that could be done for the south-as it seemed to
secure some portion of the acquisitions made for the
Union by her immortal son, Thomas Jefferson for III =
benefit OF the souh-we may say, how appropriately did
it come from representative of the sovereignty of Hi
nois State which has been yielded BY Virginia to the
north, and which, with Indiana and Ohio, had given her
the preponderance of political power
And here, MIR Chairman ] cannot refrain, a repre-
sentative of the south, from paying the tribute of my
spect to a distinguished of Illinois, Mr. DOUGLASS
of this House, not only for his manly struggle in favor OF
the constitutions but for the fearless and patriotic
in which, when the north eloquently appealed to-,
early in the session. by the able gentleman from Alabama
| [Mr DARGANl to know whether any one OF them would
stand by the Missouri compromise, he was the first 10
rise in his place and declare that he would abide by in
culiar effect from the representative of a State which
gave birth 10 the compromise, and showed that the spirit
which originated it is not yet extinct Although, after
this session this hall will not be enlightened and instruct
ed by the eloquence of this distinguished representative,
may express qualification that he has been trans
toll where he will supply the place. he has illustrated
the principles, of the author of the Missouri compromise
| And would be doing injustice to my feelings were !
not to return my thanks to another distinguished OF
Illinois, MIR. McCLERNANB,l and 10 distinguished rep
reseniatve MIR c. lNGERsoLL] of my native State,
the foremost 10 rush to her countrys Standard for the
prompt manner which they disavowed the apparently
er caitedra remarks of the gentleman from New York,
| mir GROVER in regard to the course that northern
members would pursue upon the question under
sideraton There number of other gentlemen from the
north who, when the time comes, will not be found want
ing in their duty TO themselves and their country, not
he INN