Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-08-30

Georgia. Mr. CoBB.) and The gentlema
from Mississippi, (Mr. THoHrsoN,) whc
but icw'days ago, made long speech I
prove that such Il prohibition would be i
violation Of the Constitution. Why di
those gentlemen vote for il. If il was ui
constitutional! II ii is. unconstfuiiona
now. il was unconstitutional then, when
received their votes.
Sir. this constitutional argument come
too late. Gentlemen s,uliifv tl,emselvc
by using it. They are estopped by tn
record.
/ Mr. KAUFMAN. Of Texas, here requcs
ted Mr.. SMITH to allow him an opportuni
~ to make an explanation, and MIR. SMITi
having yielded the floor for that pur
pose
Mr.. KAUFMAN said--..I voted for the
restriction Of slavery in Oregon because
all of Oregon licsnorth of So degrees o
north latitude, or what is commonly known
as the Missouri compromise line. l vo.
ted for it. because, in the resolutions of an
nexation admitting Texas. the Missouri
compromise line was inserted and applied
TO Texas. and now forms a part of her
constitution. But now state 10 the gen.
tletHan from Indiana and this House that
only gave one vote to prohibit slavery in
Oregon. and that vote was given before
the WilmOt proviso was moved in this
House. No man had heard of the Will
mot Proviso when gave that vote. Incv-
er have voted against slavery in Oregon
since the Wilmot Proviso was introduced
into and passed by this House. | never
will vote to exclude slavery from Oregon
or any other Territory Of the United States,
as long as see the North determined to
force down upon the South The Wilmot
Proviso. have no idea of the South OBJ
serving the Missouri compromise while
the North repudiates il. And | never
should have given the vote did. if could
have foreseen the Introduction and pass
aye Of the Wilmot Proyiso by this House.
But will again vote for restricting slave.
ry in Oregon. if the North will agree to
extend the Missouri compromise line, so
as to apply to the Territories Of New Mex
leo and California. And this | under
stand to be the universal sentiment of the
Souri,
Mr.. SMITH having resumed the floor,
said. the gentleman from Texas. admitting
that he has once voted to exclude slavery
from Oregon. now says he will never vote
Tor such an exclusion again. And why
this change in his opinions! He says he
has mo idea of the South observing the
Missouri compromise. while the North re-
pudiates it," The attempt to exclude
slavery from New Mexico and California.
is charged as a violation of the Missouri
This charge has been frc-
quently made here. and it may be well to
inquire what was the Missouri comprom-
Use. and what connection it has with the
exclusion Of slavery in the territory we
have acquired from Mexico1 This Mis-
souri, compromise, as il is termed, is found
IN the 9Th section of an act of Congress.
March 6, 1920, entitled IAN act
20 authorize the people of the Territory
If Missouri to form a constitution and
State government" and is in these words:
''SEC. g. And be it further enacted, That i'm |
~ that territory coded by France to the United
states, under the name of Louisiana, which lies |
'orth of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes
north latitude. not included " thin the limits of
he State contemplated by this act, slavery and |
Involuntary servi'ude, otherwise than in the
punishment of crimes whereof the parties shall
ave been duly convicted. shall be, and is here
~, forever prohibited: Prorided aiways, That
my person escaping into the same, from whom
abor or service is lawfully claimed in any State
y Territory Of the United States. such fu gitive
nay be lawfully reclaimed and convened to the
erson claiming his her labor or service as
foresad.''
This is the whole of it, Slavery exis-
ed in the Louisiana Territory before it
vas coded TO the United States. 1t came
nto the Union as slave territory When
ne State of Missouri, which was a part Il
+ the Louisiana purchase. applied for
omission into the Union as a State. it
'as objected to, because she tolerated sla-
cry. After protracted and exciting de-
ate. which. for while, threatened the
eace and safety of the Coniederacy. the
uestlon was compromised Oh the terms
ontained in the portion of the act which
have read. Missouri was admitted as ,
slave State, but in all the residue of the !
purchase lying north of thirty
tx and half degrees of north latitude,
avery was forever prohibited. This
was, in its terms, confined :
, the ''territory ccded by France TO the ,
nited States, under the name of Louisi-
ma" How, then. can that compromise I
ave any relation to New Mexicn or Cali
'rnia! Upon what ground can gentle
zen charge the North with violating the :
lissouri compromise. by excluding sla- j
cry from these newly acquired terrific $
es! Were they part of the Louisiana !
urchase. If they were not, that COM p,
romise has nothing TO do with the mat
r. 1t was confined in its operation to {
'ecific and we'll defined territory, and {
an. of course. apply to no other. 6
The gentleman from Texas admits that ,
so years ago he thought slavery should !
G excluded from Oregon. and he voted to /
xclude it: Why is he unwilling to exclude {
now! Because the North wished to ex-
udc ii from New Mexico and California. s
'oes that furnish any reason for his chance ,
opinion! think i, does not. Sir :
rotest. in behalf Of the people of Oregon, .
gainst this attempt 10 identify their for
mes and interests with those of New ,
lexico and California The pfopriety ,
excluding slavery there has always
cen recognised. The people of the Ter ,
tory have already expressed their strong