The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-07-26

upon condition that fugitive slaves, who
might take refuge in the territory should be
delivered up to their owners, as stipulated in
the provision of the sixth article of the "rdl-
nance. 1t is manifest from what has been
stated that the South was unitedy and obsti-
nateIy opposed TO d: provision when first
moved; that the proposition of Mr.. King,
without the proviso, was in like manner re-
sisted by the South, as may be inferred from
its entire want of success, and that it never
could be brought to agree to it until the pro-
vision for the delivery up of fugitive slaves
was incorporate in il. But it is well under
stood that a compromise involves not a sur.
render, but simply waiver of the right Of
power; and hence in the case of indIvuals,
il is well established legal principle, that
an offer to settle by compromise Iltgated
claim, is no evidence against the justice Of
the claim on The side of,he party making 1t.
The South. to her honor, has observed with
fidelity her engagements under the com
promise; in proof which l appeal To the pre-
ceden,s cited by the Senator from New
York, intended by him TO establish the fact
of her acquiescence in The ordinance. ad.
nit that she has acquiesccd in the several
acts Of Congress to carry il into effect, but the
Senator is mistaken in surprising that it is
proof of a surrender on her part Of the pow
er over the territories which he claims for
Congress. No she never has, and trust
never will, make such surrender. Instead
of that, i, is conclusive proof of her fidelity
to her engagements. She never attempted
to set ASIDE the ordinance, to deprive the
territory and the States erected within its
limits of any right or advantage it was in
tended to confer. But ! regret that such
canno: be SAID in favor Of tho fidelity with
which It has been observed on their part.
With the single exception Of the Slate OF H.
Iinois-be it said her honor; every other State
erected within its limits has pursued course
and adopted measures which have rendered
the stipuations Of the proviso to deliver up
fugitive slaves nugatory. Wisconsin may
aIso be an exception, as she has just enter.
ed the Union. and has hardly had time to
act upon the subject. They have gone
farther, and suffered individuals to form
combinations, without an effort to suppress
them, for The purpose Of entcng and sedu-
cling the slaves to leave Their masters and
TO run them into Canada beyond the reach
our laws in open violation, not only OF the
sipuIations Of the ordinance, but Of the con-
sitution ITSELF III express myself strongly,
it is not for the purpose Of producing excite
ment, but to draw the attention Of the Senate
fmcibIy to the subject. My object is TO lay
ire the subject under consideration, just as
surgeon probes to the bottom and lays o.
zen wound, not to cause pain TO his patient,
bu, for the purpose of heangt.
/ come now to another pre- edent OF a
similar character, but differing in this, that
it tonk place under this government, and
not under that Of the old confederation refer
to what is known as the Missouri Compro-
mise. Ii is more recent and better known,
and NAV be more readily despatched.
After an arduos struggle Of more than
year. on the question whether Missouri should
come into the Union, with or without re-
slrictions prohibiting slavery, compromise
line was adopted between the North and
the South; but it was done under crcum.
stances which made il no wise obligatory
| IN the latter. 1t is true, il was moved by
one of her distinguished citizens, (Mr. ClayD
but it is equally So that it was carried by
| The almost united vote of the North against
the almost united vote of the South; and
was thus imposed on the latter by superior
numbers. in opposition to her strenuous ef.
forts. The South has never given her sane
ton to it, or assented to the power II assert
ed. She was voted down. and has simply
acquiesccd in all arrangement which she
has not had the prwer TO reverse, and which
she could not attempt to do withou, disturb
,ng the peace and harmony Of the Union
TO which she has ever been adv. rse. Acting
on this principle. she permitted the territory
Of Iowa to be formed; and the State to be
admitted into the Union, under the com.
promise, without objection; and that IS now
quoted by the Senator from New York to
prove her surrender Of the power he claims
for Congress.
To add to the strength of this claim, the
advocates Of the power hold mp the name
of Jefferson in its favor, and 60 80 far as to
call him the author of the so called WilmGt
proviso, which is but general expression Of
a power Of which the Missouri compromise
is case of its application. IL we may Judge
bv his opinion of that case, what his opinion
was Of the principle, instead Of being the
author of the proviso, or being in its favor.
no one could be more deadly hostile to il.
In letter addressed to the Elder Adams, in
1919, in answer 10 one from him, he uses
these remarkable expressions in reference to
the Missouri question::
"The banks, bankrupt law, manufactures,
Spanish treaty. arc nothing. These are oc.
currences, which, like waves in a storm, will
pass under the sblp. But the Missouri Ques.