Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1848-08-08
From che National whig] In,sllissncer !.
The Compromise.

Our readers are apprized that one of
the most important of those ones,;ons
which sometimes arise az IL ~ ,-v ,bo
strength and durability of our Union. was
referred to q select committee Of eiqb,
members in the Senate of the United
States on the 18th inst. In the formation
of this committee, every sectional interest
was consulted and represented, and each
of the political divisions had an equal
weight.
We may easily suppose that the mos,
opposite views were presented and defen.
ded by the distinguished senators who
formed this committee; and those who
were best informed of the inherent diff.
culties which stood in the way of an ad.
JustmenI and favorable report, had but
faint hope that this question could be set.
tied during the present session. And yet
many ardent friends of the Union and of
their country, whig and democratic, were
OF opinion that by deferring an adjustment,
the difficulties attending it would increase;
greater exacerbation would ensue; and
that geographical parties would arise, en- .
dangering at no distant day that union of
tree and independent States which can
alone ensure peace at home and respect
abroad.
This committee, however, yesterday
reported bill, which We sincerely hope
will put this question forever to rest.
This bill proposes to establish govern.
ments for the Territories of Oregon, Cal.
ifornia, and New Mexico, upon such prin.
ciples of universal Justice and constitu-
tional right as it is hoped will challenge
the approval of every cain and rejecting
mind. '. 49, -..
The bill provides Territorial govern
ment for Oregon-continuing in force the
laws which have been passed by the pres.
ent temporary government until the leg
islature, to be created by this act. shall
pass other laws in conformity to the wish
es and interests Of the people whom they
will represent.
As it regards New Mexico and Califor.
MIA, 1t provides for each government
such as that f1rst gwen to the Michigan
Territory but at the same time restraints
those Territories from passing any laws
on the subject of slavery, freedom of reli-
gion,- or impairing the right of the United
States to the unoceupied lands. What
ever rights of property are TO be enjoyed
by persons removing to those Territories
derived from the constitution and laws OF
the United States, are to be referred to
and decided by the judicial power of the
United States, subject to an appeal from
the courts within the Territories to the
Supreme Court of the United States.
Hence it is apparent that the rights and
claims of the north and the south on the
subject of slavery are reserved and, with.
out giving the sanction of the United
States to a further extension of the terri
tory in which slavery will be recognized.
the future character of those States will
depend on the character, the habits, and
the wishes of the people who shall here
after form the State constitutions for those
Territories.
We sincerely trust that this scheme,
proceeding as it undoubtedly does from
the most patriotic motives, may put an enc
forever to question, from the agitation o.
which alone he enemies of our great ant
glorious Union derive any hope Of succeed
ing in their insane purposes.