The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-12
"The Wilmot proviso.n Well! | think

territory IN lIo4-Wnlcn was adopted In the
Congress of the confederation Of 1887, with
the unanimous voice Of the slaveholding
States-was ratified by the Virginia Gene
raj Assembly the 30th Of December, 1855
which was apprised by the Congress of 1920
to all the upper half of Louisiana-which
was applied by the Congress Of 1s4s to the
Oregon Territory-which was recommend
ed for the new Territories by the Missouri
General Assembly, February 10th, 1877
and never attempted to be condemned
until the 10Th of February, ls47--just
four days after the date Of the Mis-
souri, recommendations-when Mr.. Calhoun
brought in his resolutions declaring it uncon-
stitutional, insulting to the States, and sub
versve to the Union. / think Mr. Jefferson,
and not Davy Wilmot, was the author Of
this proviso, and that it should bear his name
and not Davy's. With respect to the char
acter Of the proviso, if it should be prescribed
by Congress for any new Territory, think
it will remain just what it has been for sixty
years. constitutional provision, made in
pursuance to the constitution; and that, being
so made it is binding upon all law-abiding
citizens, and that its resistance by force and
arms, militarily, would be treason against
the United States, and punishable by death
under the laws OF the land. With respect
to the expediency of the act, there is no ne
cessity for it, and there are prudential rea-
sons why itshould not be passed. California
and New Mexico are now free from slavery
both by law and by fact; and will forever
remain free from it, both by law and in fact.
As general proposition unnecessary laws
ought not to be passed; but if it is passed, it
is an empty provision, having no practical
effect whatever To make an issue against
it between north and south, is unwiss, for it
is an issue about nothing, and on the part Of
the south an issue made for defeat, for
Delaware has instructed for it; and that en-
sures majority in the Senate for the proviso,
there being already large majority in the
House Of Representatives instructed for it.
But there is stronger reason to claim
forbearance., This proviso is the last card
in Calhoun's hand his last stake in the
slippery game which he has been playing.
Take that last card from him, and his game
is up bankruptcy comes upon him-politi-
cal bankruptcy-and he must driven to take
the act He will have to haul down his
sign--close his doors-and shut up shop
and give in schedule of his effects and stock
in trade: and beautiful schedule it will be.
Let US see some items Of it, a few, by way
Of sample.
Imprimis. United States Bank charter in 1876
opposition tot when he joined Jackson In lS3O--re
charter for twelve years TO the Bank when he turned
against Jackson--l834.
Item. Protective tariff and cotton minimum In
1910 and notification and disunion for the same In
1880.
Item. General internal improvement by the fede-
raj government in lS23-denia of the whole power
afterward and admission Of half the power at the
Memphis convention. 13s.&
lem. Solemn written opinion in Mr.. Monroe's
cabinet in favor Of Congress to abolish slavery in
territories, and in favor OF the exercise OF that pow
or over the whole Of upper Louisiana north and west
Of Missouri; together with the resolutions in the
Senate of the United States in 1S47 denying that
power IN toto Nota Bene: The written opinion Is
lost or mslad but its existence can be proved, and
that Is good In law and equity.
Item. Opinion of Mr.. Monroe's cabinet in 1919
in favor of giving away Texas when we possessed
her and the London abolition plot invented after
ward TO get up slavery agitation for political pur
poses In getting her back. -.
HeH. All the aDohuon piots invented ior zen
years and charged upon Lord Aberdeen, the Worlds
Convention, incendiary petitions, and incendiary
communications through the mail. Ell
Item. The diplomatic correspondence with foreign
governments on the subject of slavery while Secretary
of State under Tor over Tyler and especially the au-
tograph letter OF forty fooscap pages to the king Of
the French TO indoctrinate him In the new and sub
lime science Of neurology.
Item. Speeches and resolutions against the con-
duct of Great Britain in protecting and berating
slaves guilty of piracy and murder on board Ameri-
can ships going from port of the United States
to another and demands for redress; and subsequent
contradiction of all such speeches ind resolutions at
the Ashburton treaty.
ITEM New mode Of amending the constitution of
the United States on the subject of internal improve
ment by making inland out of river and three
Staes--inyented nj the Memphis convention.
Hem Opposition to tho highway Of nations be-
tween ST. Louis and San Francisco, because part Of
i will have to go through free soil and besides when
the Union Is dissolved the road would be on the wrong
side Of the line.
lem The bones of 5000 followers strcwed along
my political path since the first commencement Of
notification and disunion in 1880.
Item. The army of political martyrs preparing to
march to the southern convention, preceded by the
"forlorn hope" from Missouri and having for its
banner the Accomac resolutions.
Drive him to the schedule, and the coun-
try will have peace'
"My opinions" They are wanted. Here
tolore the public acts of public men, have
stood for their opinions: it has been only the
new men, unknown by their acts, that have
been subjected to political catechism. Thir-
ty years, almost, have been in the Senate !;
and during that time have always been a
voter, and often a speaker on this SUBJECT of
slavery; and commenced with it in my own
State. | was politically born out of slave
agitation-out of the Missouri restriction
controversy and have acted an open part on
it from the time it began to the present
day. My writings had some influence on
the formation Of the constitution of this State.
They were pretty well known then, though
forgotten now. They contributed to keep
of restriction, and to insert the.clause in the
constitution for the sanction OF slavery. |
urged the putting it in the constitution, for
the express purpose Of giving security to pro-
perty, and preventing agitation. ! wanted
peace from the question at home, and con-
tributed to provide for it, by contributing to
put that clause in the constitutions and now