The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-26

the south rather consequence OF the circumstances
agitation of exciting and irritating subject. than be-
of any validity in the thing itself Its obligation is
rather moral than legal and we have acquessed in IT as
u | have thus shown that the constitution coners no
authority upon Congress TO legls!ae Tor the Territories
except in reference TO the public lands; and that the
practice of the government has not sanctioned any such
authority. now take higher ground | maintain that
not only such authority is delegated by any provso in
the constitution, but that it is in direct conflict with
some of Them and with the spirit OF the whole instru-
ment.
The constitution guarantees each State republican
form of govemment-the fundamental principle OF which
is the right of selfgovernment The very definition OF
tyranny is to be subject TO laws, in the enactment and
continuance OF which we have no voice the very del-
milton of republication is the right to govern ourselves
And yet gentlemen processing to be republicans, come
here, and only claim the right to legislate for peo
pie without consulting Them but absolutely to make that
legislation irrevocable.
Again theconstituon Of the United States provides for
the admission of States into the Union. The third
clause of the second section of the first article declares
that representatives and direct taxes shall be appooned
among the several States which may be included within
shall be determined BY adding 10 the whole number or
free persons, including those bound to service for term
of years, excluding Indians not taxed threefths OF all
other persons"
Here we find that representation of slaves is expressly
provided for in States to be admitted into the Union
This proves concusvely that the trainers of the cons
tuition contemplated the future admission OF slave States
The States to be admitted, which particu
larly in the mind OF the convention, undoubtedly
those which it was contemplated would be carved out OF
the territories which we then possessed and which was
daily expected would acquire by the cession OF the
States. 1t known to the trainers of the constitution
that Territorial governments would, from necessity pre-
cede the organization of States Can any at all con-
versant with the history of the constitution for moment
believe that it would have been adopted if it had been
understood that Congress might prohibit slavery in the
territories Sir there feeling which more than
any other characterized the proceedings OF the convention
it settled dstrust the part Of the southern States
of the northern and eastern States the subject OF sla
very. The constitution itself shows this. Look at the
guarantees and safeguards contained in it, which in
sisted upon by the south as sne qua mons" With these
notorious facts staring in the face any believe
that this means of war upon slaveryhe right of legsla
ton for the territories upon the subject of slavery,
ceied by the s south Sir it IS impossible Who, at all
acquainted with the history of those times, believes for
moment that the constitution ever would have been
adopted if it had been understood that conferred such
power upon Congress When the south insisted upon
safeguards and guarantees in one part OF the constitution
condition Of their adopting it. can any one believe
they would have conceded in other parts powers which
would make them all nugaory! There is no one who
believes this' Then the solemn question arises, which
beg gentlemen to consider calmly, this constitution
last If powers exercised in violation of it, the grant
of which would have prevented its adopon'
This proposition to exclude slavery from all the terri
tories hereafter to be acquired without any reference to
its geographical position evinces bad faith upon the part
OF the Notwithstanding States II is not only papable
violation Of the constitution, but also Of the spirit Of the
/ Missouri compromise. That compromise, as have al
ready said, was forced upon us BY the north For the
sake of peace we have been willing TO acquesce in IT,
But very pOr0n OF Inc country which forced upon
us, now insist upon disregardng il against remon
STRANGE!
But gentlemen contend that the Missouri compromise
does not extend to territory thereafter TO be acquired
admit in terms it does not But was moi equitable,
was fair far the -slaveholdng States
concerned 1t clearly was not far the south
was concerned there was no reciprocity in it. But
this is mmaterial now II is not the south that is seek
ing to discard it. Was not fair far the north is
concerned The conclusive fact which have already
mentioned obvates the necessity OF any argument. III
,cas the proposition OF the north ITSELF carried By northern
rotes, against southern uotes and southern protests In
favor OF the Missouri compromise every senator from
the non- yehodng States, except two, voted and
1.-THE House of Representatives every member from the
same States except FIVE also voted for it. The NORTH at
least, esopped from complaining of its inequality If
was fair and equal as far as the territory we then pos
territory to be acquired hereafter is concerned' How
it, that in reference to territory hereafter 10 be acquired
equality is not equity Upon what principle is it, that
territory, by the common blood and the common
treasure of every portion OF the Unon is to be appropra
ted exclusively TO aggandze and augment the power of
one' Sir, this Union rests upon the basis of the most
perfect equality among all its members; and whenever
the government OF administered Tor the exclusive adj
i In the case Of Texas, the Missouri compromise line
was recognised as extending to territory to winch 1t ana
not in terms apply But gentlemen say the south voted
against applying II to Texas 1t IS true we did because, Tor
the reasons have gwen did not think Congress had
the power to do it, But il was proposed by gentleman
from saveholding State, and i was carried by the
! representatives of the -savehoding States, We
could not vote for IT. but we acqnesced Notwiths'and
ing all this, in less than two years gentlemen who voted
to extend the Missouri compromise to Texas, come for
ward ana Insist that the missouri compromise mas no
plicaton territory which did not possess at the