The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-12
The Wiln,ot Proviso.

We respectfully call the attention Of the late members OF
Congress- and of the citizens OF the other States to the
following proceedings of the Legislature OF Virginia We
have already calmly and seriously appealed TO the demo-
crafts in Congress this deeply interesting subject and
we have assured them that the people of the south would
not and could not submit TO that inequality in the appro-
prianon of new territory which the Wilmot proviso
would create There is way OF adjusting the question.
should it come up for decision, but in that spirit of
promise on which the constitution itself founded, and
IN which the Missouri compromise was based. Thepro-
ceedngs OF Virginia confirm this position Let our friends
elsewhere hearken to the voice which these proceedings
utter Why should it be otherwise Such an arrange
ment does not add slave to our population Mr..
Jefferson demonstrated that proposition amid the
storms OF the Missouri controversy Are the nonslave-
holding States afraid OF being ruled by the souh That
apprehension is without any real foundation We have
statistics before made up BY one OF the best calcula
tors on the subject, showing that if we acquire to the
32d degree of latitude, boundary line, and taking
the Missouri line of compromise of 36i degrees, there
would he territory enough to out about thirteen
States TO the south and twenty to the north embracing
Oregon The slavehoding States, therefore, are perfect
ly safe.
The "New Orleans Bee chimes in with these resou-
tons of the legislature of Virginia, and declares that
Upon this momenous topic we are heartily reoiced to
perceive that Virginia has already spoken out. The
Mother Of the states-she by whose lavish munifcence
nearly all of the territory surrendered to the govern
ent from which the effort is now made to prescribe her
She has by the UNANIMOUS of her representatives
the platform of the constitution. Here the resolnons
'Wheeas bill appropriating money to prosecute the
passed the House Of the Congress
United States, with the following provso attached thereto
ton acquisition of any territory from the republic of
Mexico by the United States by virtue of any treaty which
ecuve of the moneys herein appropriated neither slavery
nor involuntary servitude shall exist in any part of
first covicted' And this General Assembly deenng to
be destructive of the compromises of the constitution OF the
United States, and attack the dearest rights OF the
SOUTH well dangerous and alarming usurpation by
the federal government Therefore, ,
gaia That the government OF the United States has
control, directly or Indirectly, medatey or immediately,
control transcends the limits of legitimate functions by
destroying the internal organization of the soveregnes
90 Resolved, unanimously, That under circumstances
will this body recognise ms binding any enactment by the
m bs y
treaty holding it to be the natural and nefeasibe right
con y TO reside with his properly 81 whatever do
scpton, any territory which may be Acquired by the
of the United Sates yielded by treaty with any
81 Rssoiped, unanimously That this General Assembly
holds the OF section OF tns
conedency il Union dear him. oppose the pas
sage OF any law for whatever by which territory
es may be "set r. dh above
mentioned propso makes the duty of every slavehodng
State and Of all the citizens thereof as they value their
their rights of property to take firm, united and concerted
action IN this emergency. 4eaa
Resotred, That the governor of this Commonwealth be,
and he hereby requested transmit copies OF the orego
ing preamble and regulations to the executive departments
We have repubsed the resolutions, not only the ex
preston of southern sentiment but With the special object
Of calling upon the Legislature of Louisiana in session.
raty and endorse them As of the earliest, warm
est and most vigorous parcipaors in the trials and perls
othe present 1t becomes Louisiana to be foremost in
exhibiting her determination not to be prescribed from all
share in the enjoyment of the advantages which may u
be brought forward and that appropriate resoln
lions may be adopted None in fact be more opposite
than those adopted by the legislature of the Old Dominion
and SUCH we commend them to the ATTENTION of the
General Assembly OF this State.
Fortunately, the Wlmot provso was ultimately re-
ieced and the three million bill passed without it, For
tunaey say because it would only have been calcu-
lated to divide people, and paralyze energies
against the enemy. 1t was brought forward
adysedly and nopportunely. 1t interfered with the
treaty makng power OF the President and Senate and
no treaty framed upon such principle be ratified by
the constitutional two thirds Of the Senate.
When the territory has been acquired, have every
reason to hope that it will BE properly arranged We
have great confidence in the peopen their devotion TO
the Union as well in their respect for the respective
rights of the different partners of the confederacy. We
will be deferred by no panic phantoms from settling
this upon the just principles OF indemnity for the
past and security for the future" y
The practical ground on which the question rests,
or probably will be settled is the ground of com
promise and Cancellation. And what compromise? The
one which adopted for the purpose of settling the
Missouri compromise, which has been recognised by
several acts OF Congress, and especially the law organ
izing the annexation of Texas, and which has been
sanctioned, to great extent by the force of public opn
ion. This is the Missouri line OF 36h degrees. This
principle of compromise runs, TO great extent through
our political institutions, and is the only practical
fair, and conciliaory among sovereign States who
have varied population, and interests somewhat dis
tinct No section or State claim all the benefits
of the confederacy, throw all its burdens upon
others. There ought 10 be fair participation among
them. No one can obtain everything This was the
spirit of compromise in which the constitution itself was
formed as appears from the following letter, signed by
General Washington the President of the federal con-
venion:
''IS CONVENTION, September H. 1877.
"SR; We have the honor 10 submit to the consider
nton of he United States in Congress assembled that con
stintion which has appeared the most advisable
The friends of country have long and desired tina
the power OF making peace and treaties, that OF levy
executive and Judicial authorities, should be fully and
ehectuay vested in the general government OF the Union
but the mproprey Of deegang such extensive trust e
a different organization.