Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-08-09
III From the Pennsylvania.
The Missouri Compromise.

i
We are glad to perceive that the propo-
sition Of Mr.. Senator Bright, Of Indiana,
to extend the line of the Missouri Com
promise to the new territory acquired by
our late treaty with Mexico, meets with
such general approval. Unquestionably
and in this respect we have always
agreed with our great statesman, James
Buchanan, who recommended this line
nearly year ago, in his Berks county let
ter, Of August, lS47-there is no measure
which is 50 well calculated to dispose Of
the difficulties in regard to slavery. We
believe it would torerer dispose Of these
these difficulties at least until, in the spi-
rit Of that progress which belongs to our
character, new territory shall be annexed
or acquired AN event which may not take
place for centuries to come. Before the
treaty of peace was consummated, the
South manifested every disposition to
agree to the line Of the Missouri Compro-
mise-a line suggested nearly thirty years
ago by the North, and then most inhuen-
tial in disposing Of an agitation more por-
tentous than the present to our national
existence. Weperceive that Mr. Bright's
amendments hailed with joy by the Rich
mond Enquirer and the Washington Union,
both conducted by Southern gentlemen.
When Mr.. Buchanan's letter suggesting
this line appeared, nearly year ago, il,
was received with almost universal favor
by the Southern press. We think we
are not mistaken in the assertion that the
Charleston Mercury was one Of those that
agreed to accept the branch of peace
thus proffered by Northern man. 1t is
to be hoped, therefore, that the Democrats
in the North will unite in pressing the
amendment of Mr.. Bright--who is him
self Senator from the free State Of lndi-
ana-upon the serious consideration Of
Congress. We copy from the New York
Journal Of Commerce the following re-
marks upon this subject. 1t strikes us
that the Journal has been too careful to
deny all the advantages that would accrue
to the South, by this compromise, in order
to commend il to the North. We are ia
vorable to it, because we believe its ope-
ration would be healthy and Just upon all
sections of our beloved country. The
Journal says:
"The Southern line of New Mexico
and Upper California, as established by a
recent treaty with Mexico, is on an aver
age about equivalent to latitude 33. The
Northern boundary Of Oregon is latitude
40. Here then is a territory (west of the
Rio Cranae ans. the Rocky Mountains, J
extending through Is degrees of latitude.
1.-THE Missouri Compromise line (ist. ga
is adopted, it will leave l24 degrees OF
latitude forever exempt from slavery while
in 81 degrees Of latitude slavery NM ex-
list If we take into view the greater
breadth of the country at the North, the
proportion against slavery is more than
four TO one. Bat what STAKEHOLDER would
take his slaves into narrow strip of ter
ritcry, bounded on both sides BY free ter
ritory, and adapted neither to the cultiva
ton OF cotton, rice, or sugar, and much of
it not adapted to the culture of any thing?
Surely the danger of any great prevalence
Of slavery in that territory, under any cir
cumstances, is extremely small.
But we may be asked, what assurance
have we that the south will consent TO
adopt lat. 3S 30 as the Northern limit of
slavery? In the first place, several Sou
thern members of Congress have publicly
declared their willingness to do so. 2.
This identical proposition was presented
in the Senate on Tuesday last, hy Mr..
Bright, Democratic member from Indi-
ana, probably with the appreciation of his
political associates. 3. The connection of
the subject with politics, renders it very
desirable to the Democrats, North and
South, that it should be disposed of at the
present session. 4. The pressing nature
OF the Oregon Territorial Organization
bill: which involves the same question.
urges to speedy compromise. 5. Pri-
waite information as to the views of certain
Southern members, who have not express
sed them publicly: jus,iies such an infer
ence."
1.-The following is from the Giddines
Wing paper al Cleveland, the Tue Demo-
crot:
New WHIc DocTR1sr.-Urre the I'M
fitness rf Con 'r,,-lo. r. D. !.