The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-10-27
From the Berwick Pa) Enquirer
The Line of tiae nIissoari Compromise.


Ar three different periods the people OF this country
have been violently ataied the subject of slavery.
The first period Immediately on the adoption OF the
present federal constitution when the powers OF the
Government were not generally understood II sup
5osed that Congress could constutionay legslae on
the subject of slavery Under that impression, numerous
abolition societies formed, and petitions poured
into the national Legislature praying for the abolition oil
slavery throughout the United States The proper com
mee to whom the matter was referred reported that the
nrisdeton over the subject Men were generally salts
fled by the report, and tranquility was restored Inc
second period the application OF Missouri for ad
mission the Union The threatened danger OF civil
commoton at that time was averted by compromise by
which slavery forever prohibited north OF 80 deg
80 min The third period was in the years 3S and 39,
when abotonsts beseged Congress with petitions to
abolish slavery the District OF Columbia and to prohibit
the slave trade between the States Congress refused to
refer and report these petitions, and the excitement
gradually subsidized though the aboonsts have still MAIN
tanned their organization Now for the fourth time this
agtatng question is brought forward and bids fair to con-
vulse and it may be, dissolve the Union The Mexican
war has given occasion its ntroducton and the Wimot
Proviso like rebrand has been thrown into peaceful
family of States The question OF slavery IN territory IN
contemplation to be acquired BY the United States will IN
evaby come up for discussion and action in the next
Congress- and many look forward to the issue with fear
and trembling 1t is be depored that the first in
respect to the prohibition OF slavery In territory yet to be
annexed to this country should have been made by
northern democrat is exception to the general ac-
ton of the democracy all such questions, who nave
steadily adhered from the formation OF the present federal
government to the compromises of the constitution, and
scrupuousy regarded the reserved rights OF the States
The measure cannot be considered democratic 1t has
never received the sanction OF the party 1t was some
what expectedy introduced into Congress- and coming
from Pennsylvania democrat, many favored ITS prlnci-
pies in haste and without due reflection Men have since
had time to examine and think thesubect, to calmly
digest the reasons for and against the measure and see
its bearing and tendency When considered that the
constitution by which the slave holding and the non
slave holding States confederated is the result oil
spirit of amy and OF that mutual Difference and conces-
sion which the peculiarly OF our political situation rem
dered INDISPENSABLE and that during political exist
ence under that constitution we have constantly resored
to mutual and compromise IN order to insure
tranquility and render general satisfaction, all patriots
will be cautious how they alter that policy which has
hitherto held together people in friendly ties,
and produced universal prosperity.
MIR Buchanan, in his letter to the democracy OF Berks
county, we think takes the true ground which northern
democrats should occupy-the observance Of the Mis-
souri, Compromise He urges that from principle and
duty the present generation are bound to regard the en-
gagements of their fathers. By that solemn compact
slavery south of 90 deg 80 min was lett to be decided by
the people 1t said by that the Missouri Compro
mise does not apply in the present case because when IT
was made the acquisition of Mexican territory was not
thought Of 1t replied that the terms OF the compro-
mise are uncondonalthat il was universally conceded
at the time the compromise was made, that the United
Missouri constituted part OF Louisiana, which had been
previously purchased OF France, and that the annexa
ton of Texas Congress adopted this rule The south
may then fairly claim right the extension of the Mis-
souri, line of compromise to any new territory which may
be acquired from Mexico And is commended this COM
painfully much as the taclt understanding and
engagement made the formation of the federal govern
ment, viz that State or States should NEEDLE with
the domestic institutions OF any other State or States
In the case, relying the agreements and engage
of her sister soyeregnhes the south united herself
with the Unions in the other case, conding in the good
faith of the nonslaveholdng States for the observance
of sacred Obligation she gave her consent to conditions
which she might have withheld 1t matters not whether
the south had or had not the right to refuse
consideration at the time Tor entering into the agreement
and cannot be annued without the consent OF both
parties. Ii we have right to interfere with the nst
tuition of slavery existing in the southern states ne
Their nghfuly justify violation OF the Missouri
Compromise Again: the arms md treasure Of the south
combined with those of the north wrested the thirteen
colonies together with their attached territories from the
dominion Of the British crown. Over such territories
the south had equal rights with the north to exercise
jurisdiction and make regulations for the same But in
respect to those acquisitions, the south has relnqushed
her right establish slavery north OF SO deg 80 min
nor has she manifested disposition to violate her
engagement The and treasure of the south in con-
junction with the north will acquire other Mexican ter-
tory Shall the north alone prescribe what institutions
shall be established in such acquisition -and that too In
| the face of her agreement to the contrary
But selfish interests frequently render dominant ma
iority regardless of the rights OF the minority Though
duty is the most authoritative motive IN the moral code,
vet human actions generally show self-love 10 De er
handspring In the question under discussion, 1t does
not appear that sectional interests be at all injurious
" affected by leaving open territory south Of SO deg 80
min for the introduction of slavery II the north could
be convinced OF that fact there would exist no very Sc
|
chanan the letter referred to- demonstrates that the
question is not of practical Importance Calfor-
MIA represented country not adapted to slave labor
and those who emigate thither will naturally found such
institutions their best interests demand in respect to
other Mexican territory which may become ours, it is
shown to be inhabited by race, the largest proportion OF
whom are colored; and hence the extreme improbabty
of the establishment of slavery there. Then why, it is
asked is the south tenacious this subject since
substantial advantage to their sectional inter-
essi 1t must be remembered that the misguided zeal and
the violent of the aboonss, perseyered in for
series of years, have awakened strong feeling OF AMI
| mostly in the bosoms OF southern brethren. The
writings and doings OF this class OF northern fanatics
have had their effect the southern slaves themselves,
by which the property and lives OF citizens In the slave
holding States have been rendered insecure The ques-
ton has been agtated long, and has been frequent
ly brought forward in matters OF national concern, that
the south has come regard the whole north with de-
gree of suspicion Hence their senslyeness on this
subject They feel that systematic. efforts have been
made to encroach upon what are their acknowledged
rights and they dread in every in which this
question is involved that consequences will ensue detri-
mental to their interests.
! OF course no we-reguaied mind can view slavery in
the abstract other than stupendous evil But in all
our deliberations on this subject should consider
the peculiar circumstances under which II exists in this
counnya domestic institution in some States, and having
no existence in others, and these different soveregntes
united in one nation by constitution whose provisions
recognise its existence and regulate It's representa-
ton in the law making power. Let us consider that
esprit of amy first made one great naton, and thai
spirit of mutual concession has all along to the present
day kept us united Unless adhere to the policy
which has heretofore governed the strong band which
existing political parties form keep the States together
WILDE severed. and organizations will be made, shu
I'm within peopraphical boundaries There will be nc