The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-19

In justice TO each and every Of his colleagues
to say, that amidst all their long conferences and
aborious discussions in the various topics necessarily
considered by Them the most oencilistory spirit had
been sviuced by them, each firmly sndesvoring to
maintain the honor and interest not merely of his own
section of country but that of the whole nation and
each endeavoring to yield much he felt could be
properly and honosby conceded to Others without
sacrifice Of what essentially due to his consti-
tuents the people all the States The conferences
Of the committee in this spirit attended with free
and ample discussion and after afu interchange Of
views, vote was taken proposition moved by the
Senator from Missouri Atchson) that the spirit Of
the Missouri compromise be adopted, TO govern the
settlement of all the Territories of the United States
thgquestion The committee divided, four for and
three against the motion. The Senator from Indiana
Mr. Bright, then moved prcesiton, notice of which
had been previously given In the Senate, containing
the words of the Missouri compromise, as the condi-
ton of the territory said to be different from
that to which that compromise applied in 1920. A
motion made by the Senator from Kentucky, MR.
Underwood) to amend that proposition by providing
that all the territory in New Mexico and California
South of the parallel of SO deg 80 min shall be placed
the footing in all respects to slavery that
existed in Louisiana while it aterrtory On this
question the committee divided four for the motion
and four against It, After the failure Of this motion,
the question taken the proposition of the Sena
tor from Kentucky, and with like result. The
committee being again equally divided, at this
stage the proceedings all compromise appeared to be
impossible but the Committee proceeded afterwards
to consider proposition to endeavor to adjust the
great question at least, far to enable Congress
to extend the laws and provide for the admi MIS-
traton of justice in the territories leaving the
NJ he ~ to h
the adaptation Of soil, climate and all circum-
stances to the various kinds of labor while it was
admitted all Sides that the greatest portion Of ter
rtory was properly adapted to free labor and would
necessarily be free soil forever yet it was ALSO with
equal unanimty conceded that there was portion Of
1t where free labor could be introduced owing
to the climate and the peculiar production of that
portion 1t was thought that If Oregon, which no
imagines can ever be slave holding could be or
ganised the people Of that territory desired the
temporary adoption of their present laws nterdicting
prohibiting slavery till the territorial legislature
proposed to be organised by popular vote under the
bill referred to us, could enact law on the SUBJ
ject most Of the objections which had been heard in
debate to the 18th section would be obviated without
any sacrifice Of principle by those who urged them
and that after thus disposing of the question: far
relates to Oregon the territories of California and
New Mexico could be organised in the same bill
by the appointment Of Governors Secretaries, and
Judges to compose, according to the old precedent
temporary legislature for each of these territories
but without the power to egslate the subject of
slavery thus placing that question beyond the powe,
Of the territorial legislature and vesting the right
introduce prohibit slavery in these territories in
the constitution as the should be expounded by
the judges with right Of appeal the Supreme Court
of the United States. 1t thought that by there
means, Congress would avoid the decision Of this dig
tracing question: leaving it to be settled by the silent
operation of the constitution itself and that in case
Congress should refuse to touch the subject the coun
try would be savehoding only where by the laws of
nature slave labor effective and free labor could
not maintain itself On the other hand in case Con-
gess should hereafter choose to adopt the compromise
line Of SO degrees 80 mnutes-North of which, sup
pose, is not expected that slave labor can be intro
duced any other rule Of settlement it will be free
to act its wisdom and patriotism shall seem TT.
After many conflicts Of opinion these views thus &C.
morally expressed substantially agreed upon with
great unanimity. All the members of the committee
agreed to make the report and but two of them-one
from the North and the other from the South-disap-
proving any Of the material features of this ar.
as they understand it. By order of
the committee have prepared . bill in accordance
with these views. 1t contains some important
amendments, the Oregon bill particularly so far
it corrects the defective description Of the boun
diaries Of that BILL do not expect sir that this or
any other proposition which the wit of man can pos-
sibly suggest will prevent agitation on this subject
which is now daily spreading through the country;
and, fear dividing it into geographical parties II
the Missouri compromise Of SO 80 should be adopted,
the agitators will Immediately raise the standard Of
reprisal, and agitate fercely as ever We know
Qf thov aoifo<o A.
but this bill resolves the whole question into const
tutional and judicial question 1t only asks of men
of all sections to stand by the constitution and suffer
that to settle the difference by its own tranquil ope
ration If the constitution settles the question either
way let those who rail at the decision vent their in
dignaton against their ancestors who adopted it. We
offer no bill to introduce slavery by Congressional
enactment into any free territory IT. as the South
contends the constitution gives the right to carry
their slaves there, they will maintain that right. IT,
rs the North contends, the constitution confers no
such right they will vindcate their claim and Ore
gon will be at organised territory with power
to elect their legislature power which the COM
mittee think cannot now with any propriety be con-
ferred upon the population of the other territories
now sir have the honor to report as an amendment
and substitute for the bill referred to the select COM
mittee bill to establish the territorial governmen ts
Oh oregon, California and New Mexico. The commit
tee, with all becoming modesty desire to say they do
not view their works perfect but they the very
best which, under all the embarrassing circumstances
Of their position they have been able to propose to the
Senate They appeal for assistance Ito correct any
errors into which they may have inadvertently fallen
but it is the honest opinion of large majority of the
that by the passage of this BILL the safety
Of the Union will be placed beyond the reach Of agta
lion that the question, and the only question, which
now threatens to endanger it, may be, not immedi-
stely but ultimately put at rest forever
The bill was then read first time, and unanimously
ordered to be printed.
The bill was made the order of the day for Friday
next.
House of Representatives.
The House convened Mt the usual hour when the
Speaker resumed his seat and called to order The
Journal read and approved
BILL,